Heathcote and Ashton Schools to set up new Sixth Forms

Two 11-16 schools sponsored by The Ogden Trust have been successful in obtaining approval to add sixth form teaching to their curriculum and become 11-18 science colleges.  Heathcote School in Chingford, London and Ashton Community Science College in Preston have become two of only a handful of 11-16 schools nationally to receive funding to add sixth forms to their existing facilities.  Heathcote School became a Specialist Science College in 2003 sponsored by the Trust and in 2005 moved into its brand new purpose-built premises in the borough of Waltham Forest.  Ashton Community Science College joined the Ogden/Preston Schools and University of Central Lancashire Science Partnership in 2006 and has recently undertaken a substantial refurbishment of its four main science laboratories.

Both colleges feature in the list of most-improved science colleges nationally and are justifiably proud of the accolades that they have now been granted.  Zoe Cozens, Head Teacher of Heathcote commented as follows:     

“This is excellent news for the young people and families of Chingford and will benefit the local community. Presently, young people from the area go to a wide range of post-16 institutions, but for some the travelling becomes too onerous and they may drop out, so we wanted to provide something unique to the Chingford area, offering a wide range of programmes you wouldn't normally get.”

The school put in a bid to the LSC in August for £6.1million to provide 250 new places. The exact level of funding is yet to be confirmed.

These comments were echoed by Chris Lickiss, Principal at Ashton who said:   

"The opportunity to work with and develop students beyond GCSE is something we are already looking forward to and are determined to succeed in.  We will have our first post-16 students on roll this September based at our Ashton Campus and we now also have the opportunity to develop the Ribbleton Campus to create a city-wide provision that will deliver high quality 14-19 training." 

Ashton is the first 11-18 state school in Preston.