Morpeth school expands its Post-16 education

Coun Gordon Stewart, Headteacher Gillian Linkleter, Coun Guy Renner-Thompson, Executive Director Cath McEvoy-Carr, and Director of Education and Skills Audrey Kingham.

Collingwood School and Media Arts College has linked up with The Fuse in Prudhoe for pupils working towards a Creative iMedia qualification.

Year 12 and Year 13 students will use the facility for the 2020/21 academic year as a trial for alternative learning opportunities in the digital world, including digital graphics, pre-production skills, photography, video and sound sequencing and storytelling through comic strips.

Gillian Linkleter, headteacher, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us.

"It is a great space for learning and it means we can offer students a two-day a week, hands on learning programme.

"It has the facilities and the same industry-standard media equipment that the students are used to using at school, thus continuing their technical development but within a work place environment.

“These skills, added with the employability, enterprise and work skills courses, they will study at Manor Walks Shopping Centre in Cramlington, combined with work experience days will really help our students take those next steps in moving on to further education or opportunities in the workplace.

“Working together with the council has opened up new opportunities for all the students and pupils, at Collingwood.

"It is an exciting time and we are really looking forward to making the most of it.”

The Fuse is a specialist media centre that is currently home to a learning space.

Coun Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children’s Services said: “We are really pleased to be welcoming Collingwood School and Media Arts College on board for the next year.

"As a council we feel it is important that the space is given priority use for digital learning, and this collaboration means we can do exactly that.

"I look forward to seeing what skills are learnt from this programme, and what these young people take away from their learning here over the next year.”

Cath McEvoy-Carr, Executive Director for Adult and Children’s Services at the County Council, said: “We are really pleased to be working in partnership with Collingwood School and Media Arts College.

"Being able to open up more opportunities for students in this way means we are further supporting them in their journey to work or further education.

“The council is committed to making these opportunities happen where it is possible, and we look forward to seeing the students start their course in the coming weeks.”