The Stourbridge Educational Trust
The trust aims to create a sustainable centre of excellence for
learning within Stourbridge that will forge through collaboration
and educational entitlement for all, building upon:
- Existing outstanding practice
- The specialisms of the institutions
- The expertise of the local community partners.
This shared trust opened 1st October 2008
Schools: Thorns Community College, (A
Specialist Arts College), Redhill School and Specialist Language
College, Pedmore Technology College and Community School and
Ridgewood High School a Specialist Science College,
Partners: Dudley LA, Stourbridge College,
King Edward VIth College and Lloyds TSB.
The schools were already working with Stourbridge College and the
involvement of King Edward VIth College through their 14-19 work
was specific to supporting the able and talented pupils to progress
there and it was a natural progression to include them as trust
partners.
Examples of trust impact include:
• Establishment of the professional development networks
across the schools. The collaboration in science has led to the
provision being enhanced by sharing resources and facilities.
• Development of the 14-19 options and routes. The development
of the diplomas and seamless projections for students are already
being planned for the town’s young people.
• Inroads into developing community cohesion across the
township. The joint orchestra production by one hundred able and
talented musicians from across the town at the launch event was an
inspiration to all and modelled collaboration through the hard work
of the performing arts co-ordinators from all the secondary
schools. Also a very successful ‘Stourbridge student voice' team
building day was held involving students from each school's
council.
- PE faculties work collaboratively to plan a range of sports
events.
- Staff development opportunities with team leaders and faculty
staff from each school meeting and working together to establish
common priorities for 2009/10. A common training day is planned. To
stimulate community cohesion a 'Stourbridge student voice' team
building day was held in June, involving students from each
school's council
Plans for the future include seeking out more trust partners who
can add value to its work and include an appropriate HE partner.
The trust is also keen to develop community cohesion opportunities
and the 14-19 curriculum, looking at timetabling opportunities for
commonality in 2010.
“The Trust’s strengths provide the potential and a structure
that will support collaboration in the Stourbridge area” Clive
Nutting, Headteacher at Ridgewood High School.
“We have actually moved the 14-19 curriculum forward and we now
have a creative and innovative curriculum diet that we need to
develop further.”Lynn Aston, Acting Headteacher at Thorns Community
College.
“The benefits of the collaboration are already stimulating
interest from staff. This is strength for the Stourbridge area and
has potential”.
Brian Heavisides, Headteacher at Redhill School.