In this first of a series of articles from VSS schools we hear about how Uckfield Community Technology College worked together with other local schools and partners to establish a skills centre and the challenges and benefits this has brought.

 

Uckfield Community Technology College

Uckfield Community Technology College became a vocational second specialism college during 2006-2007. The college is set in rural East Sussex with a catchment area of 200 sq miles. Its exam results place it within the upper quartile of the country.

Since 2003 Uckfield has actively embraced vocational programmes, initially through involvement in the Increased Flexibility programme. The initial impact was excellent, students were well motivated and enjoyed the blend of a taught programme of skills development and a work placement; each taking up one day per week. The down side was the affect on students’ curriculum in core and option subjects in school.

 

Wealden Skills Centre

During this time, the local community colleges in Uckfield, Wadhurst, Crowborough and Heathfield were working with Sussex Downs FE College on a number of collaborative initiatives. With a combined catchment area of over 1000 sq miles there was need for significant resource and collaboration over timetabling. In 2005, with the help of Barnardo’s who have experience in this area, Wealden Skills Centre was born in the heart of the Uckfield industrial estate.

The four community colleges have agreed timetable where all option subjects are offered on two days per week and all core subjects on the other three. The courses at the skills centre and the day work experience only take place on the agreed two option days. This ensures all students take part in core studies in a group appropriate for their ability with opportunity to achieve to 5+ A*-G at GCSE including English and maths. A great improvement on the previous model that identified students within the vocational option as a discrete group with a separate timetable.

Potential students, accompanied by their parents, are interviewed at the centre by FE college trainers in order to gain a place and need to commit to the skills centre approach to learning. The centre is not an extension of any one college but a place for the development of skills in a contemporary work environment.

The initial target groups included 14-16 year old students at all four community colleges (and potentially other local schools) able to benefit from vocational skills based training and linked work experience. The centre also accommodated modern apprentices remote from the main FE centres, students on the Prince’s Trust programmes and from Barnardo’s in Tunbridge Wells.

 

The skills centre two years on

The short to medium term plan was for the centre to offer level 1 and 2 skills in carpentry, bricklaying, MA construction skills, motor vehicle skills, painting and decorating, roofing and tiling, roadway, kerbing and drainage, and hard landscaping.

By the end of the second year (2006-2007 academic year):

• 81 students attended IF courses in construction and motor vehicle
• 25 students attended YA course in motor vehicle
• 203 adults attended courses in bricklaying, motor vehicle, carpentry, painting & decorating, plastering, IT & crafts
• 9 students were on e2e programmes
• 36 students were from special needs schools
• 267 hours of business use

 

The future

In October 2007 the skills centre expanded its unit on the industrial centre and is intending to increase both the number of students on the course and also the number of courses offered. Aspirations for the centre also include offering catering, and health and beauty options.

There are no lead partners as the five colleges accept equal shared liability and have an equal input on the direction of the centre. The LSC have supported the venture and the local authority has agreed to pay rates and a maintenance element based on the floor area as with the core schools budget provision. A range of community groups, local and district councils have supported us and our links with local business on the industrial estate have been vibrant and beneficial.

From the student perspective the centre has been win-win. Students from the first cohort are all now in employment or training and many of these might have been identified as pre-NEETS.

 

Mark’s story

Mark is by no means unique he is representative of so many students who have worked at the skills centre.

During KS3 Mark was identified as capable but failing to make appropriate progress. He was also becoming more disruptive. Placement at the skills centre was fundamental in his personal development and skills acquisition. He is still Mark. He is outgoing and yet questioning. He is not suddenly passive but he is ‘tasting success’. He is in an environment where his skills count and are praised; he is much more self confident and self assured. Back in main school he is no longer on the edge of trouble, no angel but much more mainstream. When it comes to presenting to the aspirant skills centre students he is proud to take part and presents well.

Across the colleges the story is the same. There has been a marked improvement in the way skills centre students are engaging with their core studies. This is not only a function of the centre provision but also the shared curriculum structure which enables their full engagement on their three days in college.

 

Key contact

There is so much more that could be said and so many details left out but for further information or to visit the Centre please contact Craig Pamphilon. Tel: 01825 764844 or email: ucccpamphilon@uctc.e-sussex.sch.uk.

Craig Pamphilon
Principal
UCTC