An innovative Learning Community: The Potteries Educational Trust
The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College has announced today its achievement of academy status as part of the Potteries Educational Trust, a newly launched Multi-Academy ‘Learning Community’ for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, created by the college.
The Potteries Educational Trust (PET) seeks to play a leading part in the promotion of teaching excellence in the region. It will seek to grow existing and develop new partnerships across the City, North Staffordshire and beyond in support of the highest quality of teaching and learning.
By bringing together the Sixth Form College and Biddulph High School as an Associate Member Academy and also engaging teaching professionals, local and national businesses and universities, the PET aims to provide an innovative approach to both learning and teaching. This will also promote the added value of working in partnership across all phases of education. The already extensive curriculum of both the Sixth Form College and Biddulph High School will be developed further and create many new opportunities for educational visits, clubs and societies, competitions and cultural activity thus ensuring a broad and vibrant education for all.
Businesses and universities will be engaged within the PET to allow every child and young person to have a range of experiences and opportunities that inspire and prepare them for their next steps in life. Building on existing links with Businesses the PET will seek to introduce immersive learning opportunities for our young people about the world of work that link in a creative way with the curriculum. We seek to actively engage with our Business community as we continue to develop a curriculum that supports their and our students’ needs. Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the PET and Sixth Form College Principal said:
‘We aim to strongly promote aspiration across the Trust and the region, seeking to integrate further the excellent work taking place already through our University partners, in particular Staffordshire and Keele Universities, within the communities we all serve.
‘The Potteries Educational Trust’s aim is to continually enhance teaching practice, maximise student learning and inspire the pursuit of excellence in learner-focused teaching. In converting to Academy status and working in equal partnership with Biddulph High School as an associate member of the PET both College and School will continue to play an important part in the City and region’s progress towards improved outcomes for all our children and young people.’
The Sixth Form College’s situation on the University Quarter and close links with Staffordshire University will allow the development of a continuous learning journey from 4 to 19 and beyond.
Simon Ascroft, headteacher at Biddulph High School added:
‘The institutions within the PET will work together to foster high quality academic and pastoral support, utilising the best elements of educational research in moving our existing strong practice to outstanding in every sense. As a school we are excited to move to this new phase of our development, working in close partnership with a like-minded organisation in the shape of the Sixth Form College to provide many new opportunities for all our students.
The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College and Biddulph High School are looking forward to the journey together as they maintain their own distinct identities whilst working in partnership for the benefit of all.
For more information visit www.potterieseducationaltrust.ac.uk.
