Northern Leaders Trust makes huge investment to improve student experience
Students really are the beating heart of schools; without students, a school is just a building.
Cliche, but true nonetheless.
That’s why it’s crucial that we – everyone in the sector – work together to ensure that our region’s students receive the very best experience possible.
The ‘crème de la crème’ of experiences!
Well, thanks to a significant investment to improve the experience of its students, Studio West (a studio school in West Denton operated by the Northern Leaders Trust) can look forward to exactly that.
Now, that’s a recipe worth getting excited about.
New building, new curriculum, new motivation!
Over the summer months, Northern Leaders Trust undertook a full refurbishment of the school, which also included new furniture and new school displays.
If that’s not enough to put a pep in their step, Studio West learners are also set to benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities, designed to help them grow into socially responsible and caring citizens. They’ll have great company here in the North East!
To ignite an even bigger fire within students and inspire aspiration, a further £200K has been allocated to provide a range of life enhancing experiences.
This will see:
- The continuation of regular visits by well-known school motivational speakers such as Wilfred Webster and Cameron Parker.
- Super Learning Days. These take place off-site for maths and science, removing Year 10 and 11 students from the classroom setting to make for a more memorable experience.
- The introduction of outdoor team building for all year groups, which includes visits to places of historical or social interest (such as Beamish Museum) as well as high ropes team building for every student within Years 7 to 9 (to create strong bonds and conquer fears!).
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Our region’s pupils deserve the very best in terms of environment and resources.
“If a situation arises where a North East school has the opportunity to receive any type of financial support, we’re fully behind it.
“It’s no secret that there’s an ongoing lack of funding for schools across our region, so these incredible opportunities deserve recognition when they happen.
“We hope the students at Studio West understand how fortunate they are to have received this level of support, and we hope they use this opportunity to reach their full potential – and then some more!”
Martyn Gordon, Studio West’s recently appointed Associate Executive Principal, said: “Every single student is given opportunities to develop both academically and socially, in a safe, inclusive and positive environment.
“We have an unshakable belief that every child can achieve and I am extremely honoured to lead a school where everyone is constantly working together to allow our students to fulfil their potential.
“Staff are highly skilled and passionate about providing high-quality education and to ensure our students have the best possible chances of success, both while at school and in the future.”
While students can explore either academic or vocational pathways, the arts also play a central role, enabling students to pursue creative pathways.
As just one example of the power of this school, Studio West recently celebrated the news that three students had passed their graded piano exams – funded by the Trust.
A personal allowance is available for all students
Northern Leaders Trust continues to demonstrate its commitment to young people through making a £1,400 personal allowance (over the course of the seven years they attend the school) available to each student.
The allowance is made available at a rate of £200 per annum to enable students to broaden their experience outside of the curriculum.
Maybe the child could benefit from additional football training to inch them closer to Messi’s level, or perhaps they wish to channel their inner Lisa Simpson with extra saxophone lessons; whatever their mission, the personal allowance makes these goals that much more achievable.
A new Studio Stars programme has just been launched too, designed as a central motivating force within the school. Students collect points and once they have reached a certain number, they’re rewarded with a certificate, which enables them to go to a principals’ dinner.
Points are awarded for exceptional work or exceptional endeavour within the Studio West community.
Mr Gordon added: “Our strapline is ‘learning that connects’ and Studio West is a school where learning really does connect to the workplace, opening up a world of exciting possibilities for our young people.
“We are very excited about what the future holds at Studio West, so please feel free to visit us at any time and see our wonderful school for yourself.”
Great work from NLT, Studio West, and all the amazing staff who have contributed to such a special, generous system.
Northern Leaders Trust is a Schools North East Partner Trust . If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
We love to hear good news from North East Schools, to share your news with Schools North East please tag @SchoolsNE on Twitter or apply here.
