A PIONEERING new Huddersfield school aims to open its own enterprise centre – and the town’s university promises to support it all the way.
The university will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Creative and Media Studio School which is based at the Netherhall Learning Campus.
The Creative and Media Studio School, which is the first of its kind in the country, will be supported by the university in its forthcoming bid to the European Regional Development Fund for £2.9m towards an Enterprise Centre that it intends to build on the campus.
Funding for the building itself will come from the Government’s Building Schools For The Future project and the European money will be needed to kit it out and help set up businesses in it run by the students.
If all goes to plan the centre could be open by this time next year.
At the school, students and businesses often work side by side on commercial projects.
Two small creative companies are based in the studio school and pupils gain work experience and placements with these as well as external companies.
Three years ago, the school applied to take part in a pre-pilot scheme. It involved an alternative way of learning and linking business with education, while at the same time achieving high academic standards.
There are no formal classrooms and desks. Instead, there are relaxed learning areas, a social room and a conference room equipped with high-tech equipment, laptops, creative tools, business furniture and drink-making facilities.
The school’s bid to the European Regional Development Fund will outline the development of an Enterprise Centre and will draw on experiences learned through the university’s leadership of the ERDF–funded Graduate Entrepreneurship Project and its established enterprise centre the Business Mine.
The university’s Business Mine provides support to both students and recent graduates in researching, planning and starting up their own business, with expert advice and guidance. It is headed by the university’s Head of Enterprise, Dr Kelly Smith, who also chairs Enterprise Educators UK.
Netherhall principal Mrs Joan Young said: “The school will work closely with Dr Smith to explore where the curriculum, business grants and incubators of the two institutions can be aligned.
“Collectively, the two institutions will be able to prepare students for opportunities in academia, business and the creative industries that are flourishing throughout the region.”
The university has been helping the school since it was first set up and the students have not only grown in number but achieved above and beyond the original expectations – currently 86% are achieving five A to C grades, including English and Maths, in their GSCEs.
The university’s pro vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, Professor Tim Thornton, said: “This only goes to show that the project-based curriculum can really make a difference for these students.
“Our next task is to assist the school and Kirklees Council to develop the vital facilities that will house this impressive development.
“The blend of education, enterprise and applied business experience that students of the Creative and Media Studio School will enjoy, will be unique and of real and enduring benefit.
“The concept of the school and its performance to date already show that it is delivering the future of education for students looking for something more and something different out of their time at school. This is something that the university is keen to take a proactive role in.”
The memorandum will be signed by the university’s vice-chancellor, professor Bob Cryan, and Netherhall principal Mrs Young.
