Funding for new pre-16 academy to be discussed

Plans to help fund a pre-16 centre at Darlington College for young people who are disengaged from education, are set to be discussed by councillors.

Darlington College has developed plans for a purpose built, 50 place, pre-16 academy at its campus. It will be attached to the college but will have separate and secure access, recreation and break out spaces for its students.
 
The young people will work towards accredited qualifications, including maths and English, as well as learning hands-on skills such as construction, hair and beauty, health, social care and childcare. It is hoped this combination of subjects will engage those young people who have not flourished in mainstream school and encourage them to move into post-16 education by making them familiar with college life.

Almost 100  pre-16 learners are already being taught at Darlington college and the development of a dedicated pre-16 centre will complement this existing provision. It will also allow more vulnerable or challenged young people, who may not cope in mainstream college, to access education.

Schools will purchase places from the college for their pupils and the accredited qualifications students achieve will be reported as part of each school’s results.

A report to Darlington Council’s cabinet, which meets on Tuesday 3 December, recommends that they  agree to give a £2.6 million of Department of Education High Needs Capital Grant to the project.  

The grant from the government was awarded to the council to develop provision for special educational needs or alternative provision. 

Nick Wallis, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “This additional pre-16 provision will help young people who are disengaged with mainstream education gain qualifications that can help them progress into education and employment.

“I understand that mainstream education is not for everyone and this specialist centre will provide the right environment and support for more young people to flourish and reach their potential.”

Principal and chief  executive  of Darlington College David Gartland said: “We are working with the Darlington Schools Partnership and the council to support them and the needs of the town.

“We are proud to be a college that is embedded within the local community and this proposed skills centre is an opportunity to enable young people to flourish who don't always cope in a mainstream environment, setting them up for future success.” 

A decision on the funding will be made at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday 3 December. Read the papers for the meeting on our website.