The Class of Your Own educational social enterprise behind the Design, Engineer, Construct! schools curriculum is bidding to open a new free school for over 16s in Manchester.
The proposals for the Institute of Design, Space and Place (IDSP) have now been given a boost after the scheme secured advisory and financial backing from New Schools Network (NSN), a special free schools advisory group.
The IDSP will be the UK’s first post-16 education centre for young people wanting careers in sustainable design, engineering and construction.
The free school aims to open in September 2016, according to Class of Your Own (COYO). COYO brings together schools, construction companies and other industry backers to create and deliver innovative learning programmes, accredited qualifications and employment opportunities.
The CIOB has recently held discussions with the organisation to determine how the institute can support its work.
Industry advisers have helped design the IDSP’s curriculum, which will focus on extended periods of project-based learning, using problem solving to explore and emphasise real-world applications of mathematical and scientific concepts.
Students at the institute will gain recognised academic qualifications and valuable practical skills and experiences that universities and employers require.
COYO managing director Alison Watson, who is leading the bid, told CM: “We’ve pulled together a great team in the north west – specialists who are absolutely passionate about the built environment, sustainability and learning.”
“Technology allows our school to be a hub for everyone who wants to learn and we genuinely believe that young people can teach industry a few things too if they are supported by the right people, given the right tools and offered a chance to express their views and use their imagination.”
NSN is an independent education charity which runs a free school development programme providing support to free schools groups as they prepare to submit an application to the Department for Education to open a free school.
Natalie Evans, NSN’s director, said that on average last year, free schools that were already operating had received three applications for every place.
“The NSN programme has been designed to support each group in making their vision a reality and I am delighted to be welcoming The Institute of Design, Space and Place at Manchester onto the programme," she said.
The NSN provides a dedicated adviser focusing on educational, financial and operational information. NSN can also provide up to £10,000 to an applicant group to help them engage with their community and find suitably qualified people to help run their initiative.
Almost 300 free schools have now either opened or been approved to open, equating to around 150,000 students. The Department for Education has approved around 64% of applicant groups wishing to start a free school.
