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BBC News
25-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Billingham Skills Academy closure a 'major blow to young people'
Closing an education service for teenagers would damage provision for "vulnerable learners" and threaten jobs, a union has Skills Academy, in Billingham, Teesside, is set to shut its doors this week and switch its services to Stockton Riverside College, at Thornaby, in University and College Union (UCU) is urging bosses to Education Training Collective (Etc.), a group of colleges and training providers which includes the academy, said "extensive plans have been put in place" to enable youngsters to continue their studies at Thornaby. With courses for school leavers as well as alternative provision for 14 to 16-year-olds, the Billingham site aims to help young people build their self-esteem and learn a range of father of one pupil said the announcement had come as a shock and that he was worried his daughter's progress would be affected having previously moved from a larger school where she suffered anxiety and was bullied. 'Damaging proposal' Echoing that view, UCU claimed the academy's closure "would be a major blow to young people who cannot thrive in mainstream education".General secretary Jo Grady said: "This is a short-sighted and damaging proposal which will serve to damage the group's reputation, take a lifeline away from the most vulnerable learners and families, and threaten the livelihoods of our members."Skills Academy is a vital and transformative educational experience for young people often disengaged from mainstream education within the Tees Valley region."There has been a lack of transparency from Etc. throughout this process, we now implore it to reconsider its position, protect jobs, and preserve the current learning environment, which allows young people to succeed." 'No loss of places' Etc. said eight jobs were at risk but that "10 potential opportunities for redeployment have been shared with the individuals affected".A consultation on the site's closure, that will run for 10 working days, is under way.A spokesperson added: "The Etc. is bound by its governance, as a publicly funded organisation, to consistently review effective spend balanced with ensuring provision meets the needs of its communities."While the Skills Academy building is proposed to close, the provision itself will not cease."Extensive plans have been put in place to ensure that the provision of education for 14-16 year olds, and a small number of 16-18 years who use this service, will relocate and that these learners can access outstanding education in industry-standard facilities at Stockton Riverside College."There will be no loss to the number of learner places as a result of this proposal." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
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 Skills Academy, in Billingham, Teesside, will see its services switch to Stockton Riverside College, at Thornaby, in parent said the news had come as a 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 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." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
