News
Walsall's New Vocational Studio School - 16/1/2012
The Vine Trust is excited to be announcing the creation of Walsall's new vocational studio school!
What is a Studio School?
Studio Schools are a new type of state school model that has been developed in partnership with local and national employers, leading education agencies and government. They have been designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in life and work. Studio Schools are an important new option for young people of all abilities. They are a new approach to learning involving enterprise projects and paid work experience. The offer a real alternative to traditional learning and they are a making a real difference to the lives of young people up and down the country.
Walsall Studio School – “Preparing young People for life”
Walsall Studio School will be one of the first in the region to offer 14-19 year olds a new and unique approach to learning that will include the following elements:
• Academic excellence
• Employability and enterprise skills
• Personalised curriculum
• Practical hands on learning
• “Real world” work experience
• A small school
• Students of all abilities Studio Schools are designed for young people olds of all abilities. They are small schools of around 300 students; and with year-round opening and a 9-5 working day, they feel more like a workplace than a school. Walsall Studio School will be fully compliant with the Schools Admissions Code. It will be a 14-19 options choice, aimed at students who are better suited to a more ‘hands on’ approach to learning.
To learn more about Walsall Studio School please click here.
Press Release: WALSALL COMMUNITY PROJECT GOLDMINE - 26/09/2011
An ambitious £2.5 million community project is set to take shape as part of a £90 million Walsall town centre regeneration scheme.
St. Modwen and Goold Estates have announced that construction will commence later this month on ‘Goldmine’ at Lower Hall Lane, Walsall.
Part of St. Modwen and Goold Estates’ joint venture £90 million St Matthew’s Quarter regeneration scheme in the centre of Walsall, Goldmine is a 20,000sq ft purpose built property being delivered for local community development trust, The Vine Trust.
The building will include training rooms, a library, offices and multipurpose space for public performances. It will be used by the Trust to provide training, learning, advice and guidance to young people in Walsall.
Having outgrown its currently property on the corner of Lower Hall Lane and Caldmore Road, The Vine Trust sourced partners in the public, private and third / civil sector to help finance its new property. These included Community Builders England Ltd, Walsall Council, The Tudor Trust, Walsall Community Church, Garfield Weston and Walsall Housing Group.
Having appointed St. Modwen and Goold Estates to create it new facilities within St. Matthew’s Quarter, delivery of The Vine Trust’s new property was delayed in 2007 following the devastating fire and subsequent demolition of its intended location within the historic Shannon’s Mill.
Undeterred, St. Modwen and Goold Estates have driven forward with revised plans to deliver contemporary new premises for The Vine Trust within St. Matthew’s Quarter, appointing contractor Bespoke Construction to commence build onsite later this month.
Mark Watkins, development surveyor for St. Modwen commented: “We are delighted that construction will commence this month on Goldmine. We have worked closely with The Vine Trust over the past few years to provide a solution to its accommodation requirements and are thrilled that Goldmine will now be the first property to be completed at phase two of St. Matthew’s Quarter. The services which The Vine Trust provides make a huge difference to the lives of young people in the local area and we are proud to be associated with it.”
Comment from Goold Estates: “It is great that the Shanon’s Mill site is being brought back into use. It is down to the the Vine Trust that this will be delivered, they have worked incredibly hard to raise the funding for the building in difficult economic times and The Goldmine building will provide a much needed resource in Walsall town centre.”
Comment from Kevin Davis - Chief Executive of the Vine Trust Group
“The Goldmine centre has provided an opportunity to show how partners, in the true spirit of the ‘Big Society’, can pull together in challenging times to realise something they are committed too, but more importantly, young people through Goldmine, and the wider ‘Youth Quarter will realise their aspirations.
This ‘state of the art’ centre has been inspired by young people for young people. Alongside social and recreational activities, it will offer work-based learning, ICT opportunities, arts, drama, music and creative media activities and a new vocational ‘Studio School’”
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council Deputy Leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is brilliant news and further evidence of investment in Walsall town centre that will create new jobs and opportunity.
“It’s extra pleasing that we’ve had a direct role as a council in making this happen and now we look forward to Walsall people taking advantage of the new building as well as employment opportunities the construction will offer.”
Walsall Council and Walsall Partnership works closely with the Vine Trust to deliver a series of community schemes including an access to apprenticeship project with Walsall College and a future jobs fund scheme to create jobs for young people which is also funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The construction of Goldmine is expected to be completed in summer 2012.
St. Matthews Youth Quarter Open Day - 21/09/2011
The Vine Trust is holding an open day to showcase its plans for the St Matthew's Youth Quarter.
From 12:30pm to 6:00pm @ The Vine Trust, 33 Lower Hall Lane, Walsall, WS1 1RR
1:00pm - 2:00pm : Speakers / Q&A
4:00pm - 5:00pm : Speakers / Q&A
It will be a chance to
- View the building plans for 'Goldmine Centre' (open September 2012).
- Meet the buyers - for construction / sub contract procurement opportunities.
- Consult on the proposed new vocational 'Studio School'
The St. Matthews' Youth Quarter is a 'Social Enterprise Zone' in Walsall Town Centre.
Centered on young people, the vision is to facilitate the co-location & integration of exemlpar, comlpementary facilities, business and services, that regenerate the area.
Partners in the public, private and civil sector are collaborating to create a sustainable community, catalysed by support for young people.
The first initiative of the scheme is the new Goldmine Centre, which has been inspired by young people, for young people. Alongside social and recreational activities, it will offer work-based learning, ICT opportunities, arts, community theatre, music and creative media activities and a new vocational 'Studio School'.
New website launched! - 08/08/2011
Welcome to our brand new website.
