IT is a new vision of education for Southampton.

The city’s first “studio school” could be open as soon as next September if the Government backs plans for the £500,000 facility, which can be revealed by the Daily Echo today.

City College Southampton has drawn up a proposal for a 300-pupil school for 14 to 19-year-olds on its Chapel Road site, which bosses say will involve links with companies aimed at providing young people with skills needed by employers.

Backed by council chiefs, college leaders say the school will “pioneer a bold new approach to learning, involving enterprise projects and real work”.

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The first open event for the studio school will be held on December 9 at City College. Call 023 8048 4848 for details.

Southampton Studio School will offer a GCSE-based curriculum focused on employer-led projects, through affiliations with businesses and organisations including Ikea, John Lewis, GE Aviation, and Southampton University Hospitals Trust.

Pupils will be given work experience as part of their courses, which will be shaped through consultation with employers.

City College principal Lindsey Noble said the new school will be targeted at young people from Southampton and the surrounding area who are not meeting their full potential in traditional school settings. She said: “I think people are well aware of City College’s commitment to raising the aspirations of young people in the city.

“This new type of school will enable some young people to reach their potential sooner and in a way that helps them maintain their motivation.

“The school will require them to develop a sense of responsibility and accountability for their actions as well as encouraging them to achieve well above their current forecasts.

“We are very excited to be part of this initiative. We have already been working closely with businesses in the region to prepare the bid. We are keen to hear from other employers who want to get involved in shaping a workforce to help meet their future business plans and objectives.”

Southampton’s education boss, Cllr Jeremy Moulton, said he welcomes the initiative, and hopes it receives the green light from the Government.

He said: “I wholeheartedly support initiatives such as this that will result in offering more options to young people and help give them the opportunity to stay in education and achieve their goals. There has been improvement in educational attainment during the last two years and I believe the Southampton Studio School will create and build even further opportunities and successes for us.”

The Department for Education is currently considering the application for Southampton Studio School, and is due to make a decision on approval by the end of November.