16-19 PROSPECTUS SIXTH FORM. Marketing Manager, Graphic Designer, Media Consultant, Film Director, Animator, Web Designer, Photographer

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1 16-19 Marketing Manager, Graphic Designer, Media Consultant, Film Director, Animator, Web Designer, Photographer Programmer, Games Designer, Technician, Network Manager, Software Engineer, Systems Analyst, Technical Consultant, Web Developer Nurse, Midwife, Youth Worker, Social Worker, Nursery Nurse, Play Worker, Care Home Manager, Art Therapist The business and employability skills you need to help you get ahead in your chosen career SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS

2 PRINCIPAL S WELCOME I am delighted that you are considering joining Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio. I am immensely proud to have led this vibrant, unique school on its journey from inception to opening in the beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities that we now have. Our Ofsted report in April 2015 graded the Studio as Good in all categories, and spoke very highly of the progress that students make with us, and the support they receive. In , our Year 13 students achieved 100% pass rate across the board in A Levels and Level 3 BTECs, and were able to move on to university or employment. Everyone who visits us is struck by how unlike a traditional school we feel. The most frequent comparison is to a professional workplace, and this fits very well with our commitment to employability skills, real work experience, and a focus on our chosen career sectors. Many students, parents and visitors also comment on the incredibly warm and welcoming feel that exists everywhere in the Studio. In part, this is due to the fact that we are a small school and a very friendly community. However, it is also testament to the dedication, energy and enthusiasm of our staff and students, all of whom work so hard to achieve the best they possibly can for themselves and each other. As a member of the Aldridge Education Multi-Academy Trust, and of the local Aldridge group of schools, we are committed to ensuring that every young person in our schools has access to the education that suits them best. We are accepting applications for Year 12 for September If, after reading this prospectus, you feel that the Studio may be the right place for you, then please do either complete and return the application form or contact us on to arrange a visit and meet some of our team. You can find out more information on our website at I look forward to meeting you. Ruth Bradbury Principal The sixth form is good. It gives students the skills and selfbelief to progress into higher education or training. Ofsted March 2015

3 I was very impressed with both girls they both presented themselves very well, had a clear idea about what they would like to achieve. We would be extremely pleased to offer them a placement. HR Manager, Capita INTRODUCTION FROM OUR SPONSORS Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio is a member of the Aldridge Education family of schools. Aldridge Education is a charitable Trust of entrepreneurial community schools and colleges that help young people to reach their potential. We support our schools Principals and teachers in rapidly improving the quality of education on offer at early years, primary, secondary and sixth-form levels in order to transform the life-chances of our students. Our vision is that every student at an Aldridge school will achieve academically beyond initial personal expectations and prior attainment. Their learning and experiences in education will give them a wide perspective on the opportunities open to them and they will develop the practical skills to access every opportunity they want in life. Aldridge Education was established as a national multi-academy trust by the Aldridge Foundation in 2016, taking over responsibility from the Foundation for its family of non-selective academy schools and colleges. Our shared belief is that by introducing young people to, and helping develop in them, the core attributes of entrepreneurship, we can provide context and relevance to their learning, fostering creativity, passion, determination, risk taking, problem solving and teamwork. These characteristics help our students achieve in their education and acquire further vital skills for adult life. For more information about Aldridge Education please visit www. aldridgeeducation.org

4 Leah has made an excellent start to her employment here, and the difference between her now and when she was first interviewed in September is tremendous. This is a credit to her hard work and focus, and, I am sure, the coaches at the school. Manager, Capita TVL

5 WHO IS THE STUDIO FOR? Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio is a mainstream post- 16 provider. Our requirement for entry to the sixth form is a minimum of five C grades at GCSE, including maths and English. Our students come not only from Darwen but from Blackburn, Bolton, East Lancashire, and even Blackpool. The reasons that young people and their parents choose us for are varied, but they can be summed up through the six Aldridge entrepreneurial attributes that reflect our approach to learning. All of our students join us because they have one or more of the following: PASSION for our specialist learning pathways First and foremost, the Studio is about preparing young people for their chosen careers. There are three clear learning pathways that we offer, all of which lead to their own exciting professional careers. Further information on these, and the career pathways that they lead to, is provided in the curriculum section later in this prospectus. The students we interviewed for placements had great professional attitudes, personality and capability. They are a credit to the school. DETERMINATION to succeed in the world of work Schools and colleges aren t just for preparing young people to pass exams. They are also for developing the skills and attributes that will allow them to be successful in the employment market and in their chosen careers. Whilst many secondary schools offer a brief period of work experience in Year 10 or 11, our unique approach means that all of our post-16 students are offered the opportunity to undertake placements with local employers for at least one day each week. In some cases, these placements are paid, which can offer vital financial support. Roles could be linked to chosen careers, or they could be a result of a particular passion or hobby of an individual student. All placements have a formal recruitment process, where students complete an application form and attend an interview. This provides valuable experience, as well as ensuring that young people and employers have met each other before the placement commences, and understand what is involved. We have secured placements with a range of employers, including Capita, Crown Paints, Forbes Solicitors, Lime Creative and BwD Council. In addition, whilst most schools will have heads of year and possibly in-house counsellors, their size means that the students who get their attention tend to be those who are causing problems. At the Studio, we believe that all young people benefit from 1:1 support, and our students receive at least three individual coaching sessions each term. These cover academic progress, personal wellbeing and career planning, with a key focus on employability skills such as communication and teamwork. Manager, Premier inn

6 WHO IS THE STUDIO FOR? Enthusiasm for PROBLEM-SOLVING in real-life projects For those students who choose not to attend work placement, we offer opportunities to be part of a project team for a day each week. This could involve setting up and running a small business with support from teachers, or tackling a real life challenge set by a local business. For example, to provide art work for their offices, design a website or create a viral marketing campaign. We expect students to take the lead in these activities, again allowing them to develop their independence and valuable employability skills. CREATIVITY and an individual approach We do things a little differently at the Studio. There is a dress code, but it offers students the opportunity to express their individuality in many more ways than a traditional school uniform. Our working hours are also different, and staff and students interact more like professional adults than teachers and children. We have high expectations of behaviour, and all students and parents sign up to our professional code of conduct. However, we don t make rules for the sake of it, and our staff encourage students to find their own individual voice in their learning and enrichment activities. RISK-TAKING - not being afraid to be different We are a new school; we are very different, and we are still developing our profile and reputation. We are lucky enough to have our Aldridge Education and local partner schools behind us, but we are very aware that every student who chooses to come to us is making a conscious decision to step outside of the traditional way of doing things. We respect that decision, and how difficult it will be for some students to make. However, for those who stand out from the crowd, and who have the passion and determination to break the mould, we promise to offer the very best levels of education, support and guidance. Through our small group sizes, employability training and regular coaching, we will also ensure that we develop students confidence so that they are able to assess risks and rewards to make the most of the opportunities they have. TEAM WORK in a small, friendly community Traditional large secondary schools offer a wide range of opportunities and are perfect for many young people. However, there will always be some people who perform better in a smaller, more close-knit community. At the Studio, we will never have more than 300 students. This means that all of our staff get to know all of our students really well, and this really helps with academic progress, but also with personal development. It also helps us to develop great relationships with parents and carers, and to work closely with them in the best interests of young people. Students enjoy wide-ranging experiences, including through their work placements; these prepare them well for meaningful future employment. Ofsted March 2015

7 CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATH For a career as a... Graphic Designer TV / Film Director Animator Photographer Marketing Manager Media Consultant Web Designer Social Worker Youth Worker Nurse Early Years Practitioner Teacher Therapist Care Home Manager Programmer Games Designer ICT Technician Network Manager Software Engineer Systems Analyst Web Developer To give you the skills to lead the way in your chosen field, you can also study... in the Sixth Form you can study... A Level Graphic Design A Level Digital Photography Level 3 Award Film & TV Production LEVEL 3 BTEC Children s Play, Learning & Development Health & Social Care LEVEL 3 BTEC Game / Web Design & Prototyping App Design and Development Software Engineering & Project Management...Level 3 Award Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and, before that Abbey is pleasant and helpful and fits in well with the rest of the team. She mixes well with the group and her confidence has started to grow. She takes instruction well and works really well in the art room as she shows enthusiasm and a positive attitude which is a real must in their area of work. Manager, East Lancashire Hospice

8 SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM Our post-16 curriculum follows on from our pre-16 specialist subject pathways, offering a clear route to chosen careers. The following pages provide an overview of the qualifications that we offer, and the possibilities for university and/or employment progression.

9 For a career as a... Marketing Manager Graphic Designer Media Consultant Film Director Animator Web Designer Photographer Creative Digital Professional pathway - for careers in photography, TV, animation, radio, graphic design. Level 3 Award Film & TV Production A Level Digital Photography A Level Graphic Design For a career as a... Programmer Games Designer Technician Network Manager Software Engineer Systems Analyst Technical Consultant Web Developer Technical Digital Professional pathway for careers in IT support, networking, game design. Level 3 Game / Web Design & Prototyping Level 3 App Design and Development Level 3 Software Engineering & Project Management

10 For a career as a... Nurse Midwife Youth Worker Social Worker Nursery Nurse Play Worker Care Home Manager Art Therapist Health, Social & Child Care Professional pathway for careers in early years, nursing, social work, care home management, teaching, midwifery. BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care BTEC Level 3 in Children s Care, Learning and Development

11 To help you succeed in whichever career you choose... Employability & Entrepreneurship Support your specialist learning by developing the skills and knowledge you need to get your own business up and running. Whether you want to run your own web design or TV production company, manage a care home or set up a nursery, these qualifications and experiences will help you achieve your goals. Regular weekly work placements. Level 2 Award in Business and Enterprise Level 3 Award in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Live project briefs from local employers. Work placement for a day each week. Training in employability skills such as confidence and communication. Support with CV writing and interview preparation.

12 OUR FACILITIES Our premises are in a fully refurbished historic local building in the centre of Darwen. The facilities combine the best of the traditional and the new, with the latest Apple, Microsoft and media technology contrasting perfectly with the exposed original brickwork and beams. The Studio doesn t look or feel like a school. It looks and feels like a modern workplace such as you would find in the centre of Manchester or London. The facilities include: Purpose-built Microsoft and Apple suites Graphic Design studio Digital photography studio TV/Media Studio Flexible learning accommodation, including meeting and breakout spaces A workplace-style cafeteria In keeping with this, our students wear business dress rather than a traditional uniform, and keep hours similar to the real world of work. This will mean that students have the time to study for more qualifications, including some not normally offered in school, and it will also help you to adapt to life after education, by adopting the disciplines of working in a real world environment. HOW TO GET HERE from Blackburn less than 10 minutes by train less than 20 minutes by car or bus from North Bolton less than 20 minutes by train from Hall i th Wood or Bromley Cross just 15 minutes by bus or car The teachers gave me confidence, built a relationship with me and listened to me as a person. Abbey, student since Year 10, now studying health and social care, child care and graphic art in the sixth form. Planning to study art therapy at university.

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14 The Studio offered me the chance to specialise in the subject options that I wanted to do. Here I can work in creative digital media and concentrate on my dream of becoming a games designer. My work placement in a large IT department was brilliant I got to repair and build PCs and servers. Josh, student since Year 10, now studying programming, game design and creative media in the sixth form.

15 It s wonderful to have students so proactively involved in a creative community-interest project to showcase their talents instead of the normal restrictions of the classroom. Employer CONTACT US TO FIND OUT MORE The Studio Team are keen to meet prospective students and their parents/carers. Please call or admissions@daestudio.biz DAE_Studio DAE Studio