Studio school proposal developed for Bicester

Secondary school pupils from in and around Bicester could benefit from a new type of education if proposals put before government get the go-ahead.

Oxford & Cherwell Valley College is the lead sponsor for a proposal to develop a studio school for the town, which would operate from a new, purpose-built facility on the Kingsmere development.

A studio school provides a statutory education option for students aged 14 to 19. As well as offering core GCSEs in English, maths and science, it enables students to specialise in a vocational area. If successful, the Bicester studio school would specialise in preparing students for careers in sustainable construction and engineering logistics.

The bid has been developed in partnership with Bicester Vision and local employers including Chiltern Railways, Red Engineering Design, The Zeta Group and Clearview Traffic. These employers would help to shape the curriculum and provide pupils with live project briefs as they prepare for industry.

The proposal from Oxford & Cherwell Valley College is now with the Department for Education (DfE), along with a number of other bids for similar schools across the country. The DfE will decide which bids get the green light by spring 2014, and the lead sponsors will then enter a period of public consultation as they further develop their plans.

Lee Nicholls, executive director curriculum, standards and academies at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, which becomes Activate Learning on November 4, said: “The Studio School proposal responds to the employment needs of Bicester and the surrounding area, and supports its status as an eco-town and logistics hub.

“By offering a specialist vocational pathway, the school would improve the employability of local pupils and help to meet the skills needs of major local employers.

“Our proposal to the Department for Education follows the successful opening of UTC Reading this September, and the go-ahead to develop plans for UTC Oxfordshire, based in Didcot, which will specialise in science and engineering and plans to open in 2015. If successful, the studio school for Bicester would be our third academy in the region and significantly increases the educational options open to local young people.”

If successful the studio school for Bicester could open in September 2016 and would eventually cater for up to 300 pupils.

Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow.

“Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow. We’ve got a great location, excellent business networks and access to high quality investment opportunities.”

2016-09-24T12:44:28+01:00

“Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow. We’ve got a great location, excellent business networks and access to high quality investment opportunities.”

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-is-becoming-a-hot-bed-for-new-and-existing-businesses-that-want-to-grow/

Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military

"Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military to both understand and contribute towards the development and Bicester Town"

2016-12-06T14:46:03+00:00

"Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military to both understand and contribute towards the development and Bicester Town"

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/membership-bicester-vision-provided-best-possible-conduit-military/

Being a member enables us to build a close understanding of the needs of local businesses

“Chiltern Railways provides fast, frequent train services from Bicester North station and the newly opened Bicester Village station to London, Birmingham, Oxford and key locations in between. Being a member of Bicester Vision enables us to build a close understanding of the needs of local businesses and helps us to shape our future growth strategy.”

Stephen Barker, Chiltern Railways

2016-12-07T09:04:34+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/member-enables-us-build-close-understanding-needs-local-businesses/

We have a profound interest in the progress of the Town

“The Bicester Chamber of Commerce and Bicester Vision have a profound interest in the progress of the Town and understand that in some circumstances the continual increase in the numbers of houses and businesses will cause disquiet, to individuals and existing business alike. Change is always with us, and both the “Chamber” and “Vision” endeavour to keep the standards from the past while facing, and working, with the challenges of the future.”

Peter Cox, Chairman of Bicester Chamber

2016-12-07T09:07:17+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-chamber-commerce-bicester-vision-profound-interest-progress-town/

The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation

"The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation and this supports a key commitment within our Local Plan to deliver employment in line with housing. As a designated Garden Town, Bicester is expanding at the pace so it is essential to attract the inward investment and businesses who will be vital to this success. Through our membership with Bicester Vision, we can work with partners and existing businesses to access to additional channels, resources and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our goal as a district of opportunity and employment."

Karen Curtin, Commercial Director (Bicester) , Cherwell District Council

2016-12-07T09:10:34+00:00

"The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation and this supports a key commitment within our Local Plan to deliver employment in line with housing. As a designated Garden Town, Bicester is expanding at the pace so it is essential to attract the inward investment and businesses who will be vital to this success. Through our membership with Bicester Vision, we can work with partners and existing businesses to access to additional channels, resources and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our goal as a district of opportunity and employment."Karen Curtin, Commercial Director (Bicester) , Cherwell District Council

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/primary-objective-bicester-vision-provide-opportunities-job-creation/

The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester

"The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester. Essential to that is the close working across all tiers of government and the private sector to enable all Bicester businesses to prosper and create job opportunities for the community. The Council has been a founding member and has seen the work of the partnership play an active role in shaping a flourishing Bicester."

Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager , Oxfordshire County Council

2016-12-07T09:30:32+00:00

"The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester. Essential to that is the close working across all tiers of government and the private sector to enable all Bicester businesses to prosper and create job opportunities for the community. The Council has been a founding member and has seen the work of the partnership play an active role in shaping a flourishing Bicester."Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager , Oxfordshire County Council

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/county-council-key-partner-delivering-infrastructure-housing-employment-growth-bicester/

Bicester Town Council has been part of Bicester Vision since its inception

"Bicester Town Council has been part of Bicester Vision since its inception and are pleased to be able to work alongside the business community and all tiers of local government to make Bicester the ‘go to’ place for business opportunity."

Sue Mackrell, Bicester Town Council

2016-12-07T09:44:43+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-town-council-part-bicester-vision-since-inception/

Through our work with Bicester Vision we are able identify the development needs of the town

“Ziran Land and its predecessor Stockdale Land has found that working closely with the business community of Bicester has enabled us to successfully develop Pioneer Square Shopping Centre and now to develop Franklin House, which was completed in 2016. The growth of Bicester enables us, through our work with Bicester Vision, to identify the business, retail and leisure development needs of the town and to work closely with the business community to provide these.”

John Liggins, Managing Director, Ziran Land Limited

2016-12-07T09:47:00+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/work-bicester-vision-able-identify-development-needs-town/

Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate

"Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate. We have recently worked with Lisa Rawlings at Banbury and Bicester College as being an industry partner for Bicester Technology studio school and supporting them on the curriculum, equipment specification, and funding. As well as facilitating other 3rd Party Logistics firms like DHL to be involved, Solar panel contact via the Low Carbon Hub to support on the building design for sustainable construction."

Steve Thornton, Director UK Logistics & Supply Chain, BRITA UK

2016-12-07T09:49:31+00:00

"Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate. We have recently worked with Lisa Rawlings at Banbury and Bicester College as being an industry partner for Bicester Technology studio school and supporting them on the curriculum, equipment specification, and funding. As well as facilitating other 3rd Party Logistics firms like DHL to be involved, Solar panel contact via the Low Carbon Hub to support on the building design for sustainable construction."Steve Thornton, Director UK Logistics & Supply Chain, BRITA UK

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-vision-effective-way-interested-parties-collaborate/