MIDDLESBROUGH will be one of three education ‘cold spot’ locations to open a sixth form free school after Eton College revealed that it would be supporting the scheme as part of the ‘levelling up’ agenda.
Making the announcement today (March 10), the schools will be opened in Middlesbrough, Oldham and Dudley areas included in the list of 55 education “cold spots” targeted for additional support by the Government within its levelling up project.
The post-16 colleges will be modelled on selective sixth forms in the capital such as the London Academy of Excellence.
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High-achieving pupils at GCSE from poorer backgrounds will be encouraged to gain top A-level grades, enabling them to study at Oxbridge and other elite universities.
The £44,000-a-year private school has partnered with Star Academies for the scheme and will bid in the next wave of the Government’s free school programme, with the colleges expected to welcome their first pupils by 2025.
The colleges will form part of multi-academy trust Star Academies, with access to Eton’s teachers as well as extracurricular clubs and speaker events.
Eton will also assist pupils during the university application process, as well as with interview preparation, and they will be able to take part in summer residential programmes at Eton.
A statement from Eton and Star Academies said that the small size of the colleges “will allow them to target a very specific academic education and will ensure that they do not disrupt the existing pattern of local post-16 education”.
Star Academies chief executive, Sir Hamid Patel, said: “By harnessing our combined wealth of educational and operational expertise, we are confident that our colleges will produce extraordinary, transformative outcomes, not only for their students but for the wider communities, too.”
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He said that the colleges would have a “wider, positive impact throughout the communities of Dudley, Middlesbrough and Oldham”.
“They will become anchor institutions that make a significant contribution by playing a leading role in addressing skills shortages and helping to drive up standards in education,” Mr Patel added.
Simon Henderson, headmaster of Eton, said: “We are delighted to be bidding to open these colleges in Dudley, Middlesbrough and Oldham. Our partnership with Star Academies is intended to ensure that the success of the project is greater than the sum of its parts.
“While our contexts may be different, our values are aligned and together we are committed, for the long-term, to sharing our educational vision and delivering outstanding educational opportunities to young people in these areas.”
Each college will admit 240 students a year with Eton making a financial commitment to fund the colleges.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston added: “Eton College in Middlesbrough. It’s incredible to win the support and backing of the world’s most famous school – a phenomenal result.”
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