A new free school for 16 to 19 year olds is set to open in Keighley, the Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has announced this week.
New College Keighley will join 14 new free schools across the country as part of government efforts to raise educational outcomes for disadvantaged students.
The new school will offer specialist academic sixth form provision to young people in the area with an extensive range of A level and A level equivalent courses, and is set to create 1,000 extra school places for 16 to 19 year olds in Keighley and the wider area.
Free schools are funded by the Government but are not run by the local authority, instead, they are run by other organisations - most commonly academy trusts - but also businesses and universities.
They have greater freedom to innovate and drive up standards, for example more autonomy over the teachers' pay and their curriculum.
New College Keighley will be run by New Collaborative Learning Trust, which already runs three successful academic sixth-form colleges in Bradford, Doncaster and Pontefract. New College Pontefract was rated “outstanding” by Ofsted in 2014, with New College Bradford establishing itself as one of the leading post-16 providers in the region, reporting a 100% pass rate across all Level 3 courses.
And in the wider Bradford District, a BRIT school for the North has also been announced.
The move means that Keighley’s talented performing arts students could soon become future stars, with the BRIT school previously helping to launch the careers of Adele, Amy Winehouse and Tom Holland.
The BRIT school for the North will provide educational opportunties in Music, Film, Digital Design, Community Arts, Visual Arts and Design, Production and Performing Arts, and a full academic programme of GCSEs and A Levels.
Commenting on the government’s announcement, Robbie Moore MP said: “Increasing opportunity & raising school standards is vital for our young people, which is why I am delighted our government have announced that a new free school will be coming to Keighley. Funded by the Government but free from the control of our local authority, this new school will create 1,000 new school places, offer specialist sixth form provision to 16 to 19 year olds in our area, givw more choice to students about their education and help to drive up education outcomes in our area.
"The New Collaborative Learning Trust already have a successful track record setting up high quality schools in Bradford, Pontefract and Doncaster, with Pontefract receiving an “outstanding” rating from Ofsted. I look forward to working with the Trust as well as the Department for Education to make this new school a success.
"It is also fantastic to see the government selecting our District as the home of a new BRIT School for the North. This move is fantastic for our local performing arts landscape and means that our incredible young performing arts students from across Keighley, Ilkley, Silsden and the Worth Valley could soon have all the educational support they need to become future stars.”
Labour's parliamentary candidate for Keighley at the next election and the area's former MP, John Grogan, told Rombalds Radio that he welcomes the plans for a new sixth form college. He said: "Keighley’s young people from every background deserve the very best education and I believe sixth form colleges for 16-18 year olds can offer a wider range of subjects and opportunities.
"Many young people like them because they have a more adult atmosphere and can be a good bridge between school and the world of work or university. The truth is that many youngsters from Keighley and the neighbouring villages leave the area every morning for schools and colleges elsewhere in West Yorkshire and across the border in North Yorkshire. A sixth form college of excellence could begin to reverse that trend. Furthermore, it could help to close the educational divide which in some recent years saw around 28% of Keighley young people attend a university against a national average of 37.5%.
"If I am re elected as Keighley’s MP I shall want to encourage co-operation between the new sixth form college, the three secondary schools, Keighley College and the representatives of teachers themselves. There will be some disruption and hard choices to be made but I think we must seize this opportunity to improve education in Keighley."
Skipton event planned for private landlords
World-class tennis returns with Ilkley Trophy
Exploring Ilkley Moor: Free guided walks and educational events
Young BGT magician includes Ilkley in tour
Ilkley's newly elected Deputy and Town Mayor
Company behind Skipton food and drink festival ceases trading
Residents spring into action for a fairer deal for Ilkley District
District's first average speed cameras installed on A650
Group that helps people connect with nature to get new home in park building
What are the top priorities for Ilkley? Share your thoughts in the community consultation
Nick Hancock returns to breakfast radio in Skipton and Ilkley
Silsden store supports local NHS Charity at fashion show fundraiser
Leading environmentalist tells Ilkley to get real about climate crisis
Local Pride groups receive new patron
Outside the Box hosts ‘Thank You’ EP launch
Silsden quarry blocked after Planning Inspector rejects appeal
Friends of Ilkley Railway Station share results of public consultation
Grade II listed structure at Keighley station needs urgent repairs
The Hive to host Silsden community fun day
18 local businesses compete in 5-a-side event
