A time capsule will be buried to mark the opening of Pudsey’s new £14 million sixth form college.
Pudsey Sixth Form College, a partnership project led by Leeds Sixth Form College in collaboration with three West Leeds high schools, welcomed its first students on Wednesday (10 September).
The opening represents the culmination of a long-term commitment to plug a gap in the local provision of A levels, T Levels and other post-16 courses.
Some of the college’s first students are contributing objects and ideas, including letters to their future selves and thoughts on this year’s biggest songs and movies, for a time capsule that will be buried to capture the moment.
Principal Dr Phil Mark – who also leads Leeds Sixth Form College – said: “It has been a real pleasure to throw our doors open this week and show our first students around these fantastic, purpose-built facilities.
“This sixth form is something the area has needed for years and will give Pudsey’s talented young people the chance to gain the qualifications they need to progress, in work or education, without having to move away or travel. The key goal is for it to feel like a seamless next step for local school students.
“The fact we have successfully brought this project to fruition is a real testament to partnership work, and I want to thank Crawshaw Academy, Co-op Academy Priesthorpe and Leeds West Academy for their untiring support as we’ve pushed ahead together to realise our shared vision.
“This is an important moment for Pudsey and its community, and we are looking forward to working closely with businesses and community groups as we strive to deliver the very best education and training for our learners.”
The idea is for the time capsule, which will soon be buried in the sixth form’s grounds, to be opened up by students and staff 25 years from now.
Learners from the college’s three feeder schools have been coming up with ideas for what to fill it with.
The contents will range from light-hearted questions, such as ‘I wonder if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will still be married?’, to more weighty topics like politics and sustainability.
Grace Kernick, who has moved up from Co-op Academy Priesthorpe, has already been enjoying putting the brand-new chemistry labs through their paces.
She said: “It’s great to have a college that’s so close to home.
“I’ve been supported every step of the way in my transition from school and even got to visit the sixth form while it was being built – it’s been excellent. The building itself is so spacious and very easy to get around.”
Former Leeds West Academy student Millie Sanderson has also experienced a smooth start to college life.
Millie, who is studying sociology, psychology and politics, said: “It’s easier to get here than it is to go into Leeds to other sixth forms. It’s been good, the rooms are modern and nice.
“I’ve got really high anxiety levels, but I’ve had lots of support here to help me.”
The sixth form – which also offers alternative qualification pathways including BTECs, AAQs, and a five GCSE re-take programme – has been built to have capacity for up to 650 students and aims to hit that target by its third year.
Last week, as part of its commitment to being a good neighbour, the college invited local residents in to enjoy a tour around its facilities.
An official opening will take place this autumn and will include representatives from the partner schools plus special guests.
The college was built on a disused and overgrown former Crawshaw Academy rugby pitch
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