Schools' learning link-up wins praise (From Thurrock Gazette)

Schools' learning link-up wins praise

8:00am Sunday 29th July 2012 in News

THREE secondary schools have joined forces to provide vocational training for their pupils.

Grays Media Arts College, St Clere’s School and Hassenbrook Academy have been working together for the last academic year as part of a foundation learning scheme.

Painting and decorating, horticulture and catering were among the courses on offer.

The National Open College Network said the partnership was “the best example of school collaboration the NOCN has ever seen”, and has decided to use the Thurrock programme as a case study for best practice on their website.

To mark the success, all three headteachers and the students involved attended an awards ceremony at St Cleres School, in Butts Lane, Stanford-le-Hope, recently.

Among the awards handed out was the shield for the Foundation Learner of the Year, which went to Hassenbrook’s Shanie Wickers.

Thurrock Council’s cabinet member for education, Oliver Gerrish, is full of praise for the scheme, which saw students visiting each of the three schools to complete the programme.

He said: “We are keen to support all students across Thurrock by offering a variety of opportunities for all to ensure every single pupil can reach their potential.

“Foundation learning is one of the ways we will continue to support practical learning for young people in all of Thurrock’s schools.”

The programme will be repeated in each of the three schools next year for a new group of students.

Students already on the programme will be able to add to their skills by studying additional units including employability, personal finance and healthy living.

St Clere’s headteacher Paul Griffiths said: “We are delighted with the success of our students this year and we will look to develop further opportunities for them in the future.”