Network brings together south Shropshire schools, colleges and training providers

Schools, colleges and training providers in the south Shropshire area have made a commitment to work more closely together to deliver excellent education for 16- to 19-year-olds, following a review in the south of the county.

Shropshire Council led the review of post-16 education in south Shropshire which recommended strengthening learning and training opportunities for young people through increased partnership working. 

The review took place to ensure that the opportunities available are providing what young people need, are encouraging as many young people as possible to learn and train after secondary school, and are providing an environment to continually raise standards with the available resources. 

Partners will now develop ways of working together as the South Shropshire Learning Network, including looking at the option of having a common prospectus, integrated timetabling and curriculums, and enabling staff to work across sites. 

Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for education and skills, said:

“Through increased collaborative working the South Shropshire Learning Network will enable resources to be used more effectively and help us to strengthen 16 to 19 education and training opportunities in the area, for the future.  We want to provide excellent education and training for all young people, for the long term.” 

Peter Lauener, chief executive of the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA), said:

“We are pleased to support the review, its recommendations and the development of the South Shropshire Learning Network. 

“As part of this we are awarding a capital grant of £285,000 to Ludlow College.  The college is at the heart of the new partnership and we welcome this focus on collaborative working to deliver educational excellence for all young people aged 16 to 19 in south Shropshire.” 

Jonathan Davis, principal, Ludlow College, said:

“The grant from the YPLA, in addition to the ongoing financial support provided by the Ludlow College Foundation, is fantastic news. 

“We are committed to achieving high standards – we are proud to be in the top 25 per cent of sixth form colleges nationally and in the last academic year our students achieved a 98.7 per cent pass rate in their exams.  The YPLA funding announcement, support from the foundation and the creation of the network cements this commitment and enables us to improve opportunities for young people to succeed in their chosen paths.

“We are looking forward to working with partners to build on existing work and achievements.  There is much to do but we can gain a lot by working more closely together and are excited to look at developing the ways that we make this happen.  The South Shropshire Learning Network will ensure that local learning opportunities match the needs of young people in south Shropshire without the need for excessive travel.”

Ludlow College offers opportunities to study GCSEs, ‘A’ Levels, BTECs, foundation degrees, apprenticeships, NVQs and QCFs and is currently taking applications for courses starting in September. 

To find out more about what the college can offer, call 01584 872846 or email info@ludlow-college.ac.uk