*We need YOUR support*
The Redhill Academy Trust (RHAT), which runs The Bolsover School, has submitted an application to the Department of Education to open an age 16-19 mainstream free school in Bolsover. The application has been submitted in line with the aims of the Government’s White Paper which identified Derbyshire as an Education Investment Area. The bid proposes to set up a new post-16 centre in Bolsover with an academic focus.
The Bolsover constituency currently has no further or higher educational facilities - meaning local students have to leave the area for their post-16 education. This results in disengagement, lack of aspirations, and low percentages of young people progressing onto university after KS4.
That’s why I’ve been working with local stakeholders, such as the Regional Schools Commissioner, Derbyshire County Council, and The Bolsover School, to establish post-16 provision in Bolsover.
The round is expected to be highly competitive with only 15 free schools approved from over sixty applicants – with successful bids being announced in the Spring.
After years of hard work from all partners involved, it was an absolute pleasure to support the application by Redhill for post-16 provision in Bolsover. I got involved in politics to make a difference, to help create opportunities to those who are forgotten, to give a voice to those who are unheard, and to provide life chances to everyone no matter where you grew up or what has happened to you in your past. If we are serious about levelling up and providing equal opportunity regardless of geography, then post-16 education in the heart of the Bolsover Constituency is a vital piece of the jigsaw.
I have launched a petition online to use as evidence to strengthen our application to the Minister and I would very much welcome your support: https://backourcampaign.co.uk/campaigns/post-16-bolsover
Finally, if local residents want to provide additional evidence on the need for post-16 provision in Bolsover, please send your evidence to the free schools application team at [email protected].
The email subject should include *‘Bolsover Sixth Form’* and all submissions must be made no later than Friday 27 January 2023.
