New Wokingham learning centre set to be discussed by decision-making executive
Improving practical learning opportunities for Wokingham pupils aged 14 to 19 years old and enhancing community learning in the borough are high on the agenda for Wokingham Borough Council. And, at its meeting tomorrow (October 25), the council’s decision-making executive is set to discuss a proposal to construct a new purpose-built learning centre in the Wokingham Borough.
The Wokingham council’s secondary education strategy, Future for Learning, highlighted the need to improve opportunities for pupils aged between 14 and 19 years old to learn more practical skills. And, as a result, over the past year the council has been working in partnership with Bracknell and Wokingham College and the Learning and Skills Council on proposals to establish a learning centre.
If plans are approved, Wokingham pupils would be able to take part in vocational courses including apprenticeship programmes, and learn skills in carpentry, electrics, motor vehicles, hair and beauty, childcare, business and retail to name just a few. They would also be able to study for the new diploma, a national qualification for 14 to 19 year olds, which will be introduced in September 2008. These new diplomas would allow young people aged 14 to19 to study vocational subjects such as construction and engineering, creative and media and IT alongside their GCSEs. The qualifications have been designed nationally by employers, working alongside educationalists, to produce a qualification that equips young people to develop the skills they will require to be successful in their working lives.
If approved the new Wokingham learning centre would also cater for adult learners and the wider community. They would be able to access a range of courses which will be located in one building. Adult learners in the Wokingham Borough take part in a range of courses either to achieve a qualification such as GCSE, NVQ or City and Guilds, or courses they take for their own interest and pleasure such as arts and crafts and languages. As the proposals are in the very early stages, exact details of what courses would be available to adult learners have not yet been decided.
The Wokingham council’s executive will be asked to support the proposals and allow for a feasibility study to be carried out. Once this has been completed and agreed by all partners, a further report would be considered by the executive in early autumn 2008.
At their meeting this week, the executive will also be asked to agree in principle for council-owned land at Winnersh Triangle to be used for this scheme and not sold for commercial use. A condition of this agreement would be that funding to build the learning centre will be realised through Bracknell and Wokingham College and the Learning and Skills Council. The new learning centre would be subject to planning approval.
Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Currently in the Wokingham Borough, some 40 per cent of students either go to colleges outside the borough or take up employment without further qualifications after they have sat their GCSEs. The proposal to develop a learning centre in the Wokingham Borough highlights the council’s commitment to improving opportunities for its young people and will provide a wider choice of courses to encourage young people to stay learning for longer.
“The learning centre would also enhance the lifelong learning opportunities for the wider community. This is an excellent example of good partnership working between the council, Bracknell and Wokingham College and the Learning and Skills Council.
“If the executive approve these recommendations it will be a significant further step in developing a new learning centre for everyone to enjoy in a central location within the borough.”
The Wokingham council’s secondary education strategy, Future for Learning, highlighted the need to improve opportunities for pupils aged between 14 and 19 years old to learn more practical skills. And, as a result, over the past year the council has been working in partnership with Bracknell and Wokingham College and the Learning and Skills Council on proposals to establish a learning centre.
If plans are approved, Wokingham pupils would be able to take part in vocational courses including apprenticeship programmes, and learn skills in carpentry, electrics, motor vehicles, hair and beauty, childcare, business and retail to name just a few. They would also be able to study for the new diploma, a national qualification for 14 to 19 year olds, which will be introduced in September 2008. These new diplomas would allow young people aged 14 to19 to study vocational subjects such as construction and engineering, creative and media and IT alongside their GCSEs. The qualifications have been designed nationally by employers, working alongside educationalists, to produce a qualification that equips young people to develop the skills they will require to be successful in their working lives.
If approved the new Wokingham learning centre would also cater for adult learners and the wider community. They would be able to access a range of courses which will be located in one building. Adult learners in the Wokingham Borough take part in a range of courses either to achieve a qualification such as GCSE, NVQ or City and Guilds, or courses they take for their own interest and pleasure such as arts and crafts and languages. As the proposals are in the very early stages, exact details of what courses would be available to adult learners have not yet been decided.
The Wokingham council’s executive will be asked to support the proposals and allow for a feasibility study to be carried out. Once this has been completed and agreed by all partners, a further report would be considered by the executive in early autumn 2008.
At their meeting this week, the executive will also be asked to agree in principle for council-owned land at Winnersh Triangle to be used for this scheme and not sold for commercial use. A condition of this agreement would be that funding to build the learning centre will be realised through Bracknell and Wokingham College and the Learning and Skills Council. The new learning centre would be subject to planning approval.
Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “Currently in the Wokingham Borough, some 40 per cent of students either go to colleges outside the borough or take up employment without further qualifications after they have sat their GCSEs. The proposal to develop a learning centre in the Wokingham Borough highlights the council’s commitment to improving opportunities for its young people and will provide a wider choice of courses to encourage young people to stay learning for longer.
“The learning centre would also enhance the lifelong learning opportunities for the wider community. This is an excellent example of good partnership working between the council, Bracknell and Wokingham College and the Learning and Skills Council.
“If the executive approve these recommendations it will be a significant further step in developing a new learning centre for everyone to enjoy in a central location within the borough.”
Wokingham Borough Council
<< Home