New Studio School to be opened in Letchworth Garden City

Here is a press release from North Herts College with some great news for Letchowrth Garden City

North Hertfordshire College is pleased to announce the opening of its second studio school, which will specialise in Creative Enterprise. Following the successful realisation of the Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Engineering opening this September in Stevenage, The Da Vinci Studio School of Creative Enterprise based in Letchworth Garden City will be ready for the first intake of pupils in September 2013.
Fintan Donohue, Principal and Chief Executive of North Hertfordshire College said: “The popularity of the Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Technology at our Stevenage Campus has taken us by surprise; a waiting list has already been formed for September.  

“It is terrific news for North Hertfordshire to learn that we have been invited to take forward the Da Vinci Studio School of Creative Enterprise in Letchworth.  We have received exceptional support for this development from local employers, from the Heritage Foundation and indeed from the residents of Letchworth, who see the prospect of bringing significant numbers of young people into learning environments in Letchworth as very positive news for the economic wellbeing and general life of the town.”
John Lewis, CEO of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation added:

“It’s great to see North Hertfordshire College opening a new studio school in Letchworth Garden City. Not only will this add to the town’s existing educational offer, it will also increase the creative skills base which supports our vision for an improved arts and cultural offer in Letchworth.”

“This is great news for Letchworth Garden City”, stated Oliver Heald MP: “I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of Fintan Donohue, all at North Hertfordshire College and those involved in the bid. I know from my correspondence with the Education Minister that they found this a very impressive bid.”

Studio Schools are a new state-funded school model designed to offer students an innovative curriculum based on integrating practical, vocational and technical education with the national curriculum.
Targeting students in the 14-19 age range, specifically interested in preparing for a career in the creative industries, the school will have capacity for 400 students in years 10-13 and in September 2013 will admit its first students into years 10 and 12.

“This new school is a ground breaking way in which to deliver education, combining mainstream qualifications with real experience of the world of work,” explained David Nicoll, Chief Executive of the Studio Schools Trust. “The Studio School will play an important role in shaping the future workforce across the region, and providing new opportunities for young people as well as improving their employment prospects and life chances.”

Pauline Tambling, Managing Director of the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural, a membership network of over 230 theatre and live music employers and 20 colleges throughout England, added: “By placing the qualities of enterprise and creativity at the heart of the curriculum the school will equip young people with the skills, knowledge and thinking that are so urgently needed in today’s society. There is already a great deal of support within the wider cultural sector for the school with employers expressing their enthusiasm for engaging directly in the work of the school through project work, work experience and placements.”

For more information or to register your interest in applying to the Da Vinci Studio School for Creative Enterprise please call 01462 424242 or visit www.davinci-school.co.uk.