We are raising standards of Employability
We
aim to increase the standards young people are attaining year by year in
both schools. At Ladybridge High School this means intensive work to recover
the lost ground of the last few years. In addition, we must give our young
people the skills and experience of work to enable them to be good employees
in future years. Because of this, we have designed four personalised pathways
for our learners to meet their learning styles and aspirations.
- Pathway 1
An accelerated route that allows our brightest students to accelerate their study and specialise in their area of strength - Language, Technology or Science.
- Pathway 2
The standard route for most students.
- Pathway 3
A work related route that focuses on key skills and getting our young people into real work as soon as possible. We have 60 learners here who focus on engineering, construction, hair and beauty, motor vehicle technology and catering.
- Pathway 4
For students who are able and talented but want to be vocational alongside their normal studies. They spend up to two days a week working and gaining vocational skills and experience in say business administration, accountancy or engineering.
Developing Work-Based Training and Skills
We have our own Catering facility at Ladybridge High School and have employed a Chef to supervise training. We have built a Construction Academy for plumbing, joinery and bricklaying and are working with Bolton Community College and Alliance learning to link this to apprenticeships.
We have developed extensive Outdoor Education and Challenge Elements to engender personal responsibility and such skills. All learners receive individual mentoring to check their progress and challenge their work. Some of these mentors are from local industry.
We have between 450 and 500, 16 year olds and 200, 18 year olds qualifying each year and moving into Education or Employment.
The provision that we have developed helps young people to work with a range of employers throughout their course. This helps both the employer and young person to build relationships and often many young people go straight to employment or are offered initial training. It helps the employer to see the young person throughout their education before they invest in their training or employment.
Opening up opportunities in Sport & Leisure
In September 2005, Ladybridge High School will become a Specialist Sports College, joining Rivington & Blackrod High School at the forefront of Sport in the region.
This year, we have participated in and won National and International Events including:
- Stephen Lee participated in the Paralympics in Athens
- Our Girls U16 Football team competed in the FA Cup National Final at Selhurst Park
- We reached the National Tennis finals
- Our rugby teams are regional champions reaching the North of England Finals
- We have won the Bolton Schools Football Competition
- Won all age hockey and cross country titles
The list is endless and we want this to continue.
We have massive investment in our Sports Facilities, including building
a floodlit Multi Use Games Area at Ladybridge High School and hope to improve
changing facilities so this is available to the community in out of school
hours and holidays. At Rivington & Blackrod High School our tennis courts
are first class, but at Ladybridge High School we need investment in them.