Shock as Billingham's Skills Academy announces closure
An education service for teenagers is to close this week with its courses moved to a neighbouring town.The Skills Academy, in Billingham, Teesside, will see its services switch to Stockton Riverside College, at Thornaby, in September.One parent said the news had come as a bombshell.The Education Training Collective (Etc.), the group of colleges and training providers which includes the academy, said it was a "strategic move" which it admitted was "unsettling" for its staff and the 14 to 18-year-olds who attend.
The news, which affects eight roles, comes weeks after Etc. scooped its first "outstanding" rating from Ofsted, with inspectors saying learners and apprentices "flourish across all parts of the group" and felt valued and respected.
'The rug's been pulled'
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the father of one pupil said he found out from a friend whose child was looking to attend the academy in September.He added his daughter suffered anxiety and bullying in her previous school but had done well at the academy and he worried her progress could be affected."She doesn't want to go into a big environment with lots of people. Kids who come out of mainstream school because they don't want to be in an environment of 500 to 1,000 people go into an environment of 100 people and thrive there."She knew nothing about this, but has spent all weekend crying and saying she's not going to any other school."She was guaranteed a space in September. Now the rug's been pulled from underneath her."Her education could effectively be ruined because she's not guaranteed a place at Stockton Riverside College. Her anxiety is likely going to send her back to counselling and they've done this the last few days before they break up."
'Better preparing' pupils
The school's website says its offering at Billingham is "a great place to learn for those who don't feel quite ready for a larger college environment".With courses for school leavers as well as alternative provision for 14 to 16-year-olds, it aims to help young people build their self-esteem and learn new skills.A spokesperson for Etc. confirmed it had made the decision to switch its Billingham courses to Thornaby and that it was also looking to redeploy its "exceptional staff".They said: "This strategic move is designed to ensure that students can access industry-standard facilities at Stockton Riverside College, thereby enhancing their educational experience and better preparing them for future careers."Though we understand that this change may be unsettling for the staff and students affected, we are fully committed to providing comprehensive support."
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