Our college, which became Pudsey’s only dedicated sixth form when it welcomed its first students in September, is now deep into its first term. Dr Phil Mark has the story of how a partnership involving local secondary schools came together to deliver this facility for the community.
Philanthropic textile manufacturer Robert Owen once said: “To train and educate the rising generation will at all times be the first object of society.”
Owen died in 1858, but his words remain as relevant as ever. As part of a partnership made up of experienced educators, we were very aware of the high stakes (and rewards) when we took on the task of creating a brand new sixth form college for the West of Leeds. We had to get it right.
Now, with the college having been recently officially opened by the Chancellor, Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves, is a fitting time to reflect on how we got here.
The area’s schools first identified a growing pressure on local sixth form provision nearly 20 years ago, and their concerns increased as demographic figures started to predict a rise in the number of 16-18 year olds across Leeds. Of course, having so many young minds to teach also represented a fantastic opportunity – but only if the right infrastructure was in place.
In 2018, with their own individual sixth forms already over capacity, the schools sought a fresh and collaborative approach – and that’s where we, given our experience of successfully running Leeds Sixth Form College, joined the conversation.
The partnership that arose from these discussions – Crawshaw Academy, Co-Op Academy Priesthorpe, Leeds West Academy and Leeds Sixth Form College – agreed that a new dedicated sixth form for Pudsey would be the best solution.
Driving us forward from the start were some non-negotiable goals and values that we kept at the top of our minds. Chief among these was a commitment to support the needs of local students by providing a quality sixth form – offering a broad range of qualifications – which, by being on their doorstep, would feel like a natural ‘next step’.
Of equal importance was for this college to support and work closely with local businesses and organisations to become an integral part of the community.
Our students, who come mainly from our partner schools, are studying in a building that was designed specifically with their needs in mind, and enrolling on courses that we each, drawing upon our individual expertise, have carefully selected. The variety of A level, vocational and GCSE routes we are running have been chosen to ensure this sixth form will serve them well while also delivering the skills local businesses need.
Like all major undertakings, the journey to get here has not been plain-sailing and we have had challenges along the way. These have been overcome thanks to the strength of commitment from each of the project partners.
We know we have to now earn the trust and respect of the local community, and that process has already begun.
We are aiming high, with a target of reaching our capacity of around 650 students by our third year – and with the help of our learners, parents, and local businesses, looking forward to reaching that milestone.
- Dr Phil Mark is Principal of Pudsey Sixth Form College and Leeds Sixth Form College, both members of Luminate Education Group.
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