14-19 Curriculum - Collegiate B
The NW Birmingham B Collegiate was established in 2004 to assist partners in working together to ensure that learners have access to a broader and more relevant range of learning opportunities, building on the Success For All strategy.
The Collegiate is mainly located in the Aston and Handsworth areas of the city, and consists of two 11-18 schools, two 11-16 schools, one hospital school and three colleges. The partnership also includes Birmingham and Solihull Learning and Skills Council, and Connexions.
Learners across the Collegiate are able to access a wider range of Key Stage 4 courses than are normally available in the local schools. These may include:
- Motor Vehicle Maintenance
- Hairdressing
- Engineering
- Sport Studies
- Performing Arts
- Child Care
- Art and Design
- Music Technology
- Construction
- Catering
- Fashion Design
Many of the courses are delivered off school sites on a chosen Collegiate day, and active learning programmes lead to qualifications such as NVQs and BTECs. Courses offered in any particular year may differ, dependent upon student demand, viability and the number of places which providers can offer.
As an essential preparation for the wider choice of options, schools have been offered the opportunity to take part in Collegiate information, advice and guidance sessions. These have included theatre performances on making the right choices in Year 9, and taster sessions for learners. Approximately 300 learners took part in the most recent work taster day, in collaboration with Aimhigher.
The Collegiate has piloted the delivery of the ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness, to a large group of learners in one school. This enables learners to achieve a qualification which is equivalent to a GCSE, and involves such skills as working with others, problem solving, research, discussion and presentation of work.
Professional development opportunities for teachers and lecturers, in conjunction with LSN and Titan Partnership, include ICT, Work Related Learning, Science, Health and Social Care, and Engaging Employers. These are to maximise opportunities for staff delivering courses to learners to work together and share ideas, resources and experience, so that we can assist learners in achieving their full potential. This will be our aim for the future of the Collegiate.
