The Studio College Model
There is a general consensus that many young people entering the job market lack the necessary skills and confidence to function effectively in the workplace. Parkside Studio College demonstrates that young people do have the requirements to be able to compete in an increasingly competitive employment market.
This is achieved through a learning offer that includes academic, technical and vocational learning incorporating the CREATE curriculum that is so special to the Studio School concept, and ensures that young people also gain those essential soft skills so important to employers.
The CREATE skills framework develops the following skills:
- Communication
- Relating to people
- Enterprise
- Application of skills
- Thinking
- Emotional intelligence
The unique CREATE skills framework is embedded in all aspects of the Parkside offer, whether that is the academic learning, the professional qualifications, project work, work experience or enrichment activities. The approach ensures that all learners, regardless of their ability or background, will be able to succeed. Supported by their Personal Coaches, when required, the learners are expected to work independently and lead small teams on tasks which develop their numeracy, literacy and ICT skills. The projects also help them to have a greater understanding of the relationship between the classroom, their practical work and the wider world in which they live and work.
All learners are allocated a Personal Coach whose main responsibility is to support individual learning and to monitor pastoral wellbeing. With the support of a Personal Coach and the direction of a Learning Coach, learners are encouraged to develop a passion for learning and be able to achieve and exceed their targets. In short, each student is monitored to ensure progress and confirm they are effectively demonstrating the CREATE skills.
A typical day at Parkside Studio College for a Key Stage 4 or Key Stage 5 learner will be 8 hours long, from 9.00am to 5.00pm to reflect core business hours. With 7 hours of direct learning, there is a morning registration. During this time, learners have the opportunity to meet their Personal Coach to discuss progress and update their Individual Learning Plans (ILP). Each week, learners have a mixture of academic subjects, vocational learning, project based learning, work experience and enrichment activities in line with their ILP and the focus of their learning pathway. Therefore each day looks different, reflecting the flexible approach to learning, but each built on the learner’s entitlement to a range of activities and projects, in line with current goals. Breaks will be agreed by staff with the learner to reflect the needs of the activity, ensuring an appropriate schedule for the day, again reflecting corporate life. We believe that having more time to learn and the opportunity to participate in a rich and varied enrichment curriculum means learners will be prepared for success at the end of their journey at Parkside.