Building Schools for the Future

The Local Education Authority is currently going through the consultation period for all secondary schools. The proposals are to build 9 new Advanced Learning Centres (plus 1 academy) in lieu of the existing 14 secondary schools in Barnsley. The proposal for Darton High is to re-build the school on the existing site as a Specialist Humanities College, specifically a 1,200 student 11-16 Advance Learning Centre.

The new ALC would mainly serve primary schools in the communities of Kexborough, Darton and Staincross, promoting enhanced collaberation between learners up to 11 years and thier families.

It is expected that the school will:

• Have state of the art provision for learners at each life stage beyond 11, encouraging ambition and high achievement
• Work closely with neighbouring Primary Learning Centres and Children's Centres and offer flexible arrangements for pupils and staff
• Be staffed by a wide range of highly trained educators, tutirs, trainers and mentors to deliever a curriculum to suit all needs
• Have digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning
• Offer full service provision, ensuring swift and easy access to a range of support services for the student and thier family
• Offer enhanced sport and leisure facilities for the community
• Offer a range of extended provision to young people who access some or all of their daytime learning elsewhere

BSF is a government funded initiative that aims to to replace/refurbish every secondary school in the country, and Barnsley is one of the first 30 areas to benefit.

Some extracts from the BSF/remaking learning January 2006 newsletter