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Chorley college plans revealed
A leading academic has revealed ambitious plans for a sixth form academy in Chorley.
Dr Bulvinder Michael thinks it's unacceptable that students from Chorley wanting to continue their education after the age of 16 have to head to Leyland's Runshaw College or go even further afield.
Dr Michael, who has worked in the education sector since 1995, launched her campaign after her teenage daughter was looking at colleges and sixth forms to attend after she finished Parklands High School and realised there were none in Chorley.
She's already held a two-day consultation at Chorley Library and did a survey of 168 students which found more than 60 per cent wanted a sixth form centre in Chorley.
An undisclosed site has already been earmarked in Chorley and it's hoped that the proposed college may enrol its first intake of students by September 2011. Around 70 per cent would be post-16s studying A and AS levels and the remainder would be 14-16 year-olds.
She said the younger students would mainly consist of those children unable to engage in education at mainstream schools.
It's estimated that the initial start-up costs would be 250,000, but it's hoped a large slice of the running costs would be met by grants.
She said: "Facilities, such as Runshaw College, are fine but with over 7,000 students, at risk or vulnerable youths can easily get lost. I spoke to one youth who finished school in Year Nine.
"Where is the LEA (Local Education Authority]? What is happening to these children?
"I am extremely passionate about helping to provide youths with a future and I'm in a position to be able to make that happen."
The centre would take students from the age of 14 and work with them until they are ready to leave, with no set timescale.
The mother-of-one said: "With no established post 16 educational facilities in Chorley it's often the case that there is a very limited amount of transport, if any at all, to get the nearest colleges. The vision in Chorley is to be able to send our youngsters to the best universities."
Dr Michael has previously worked as a deputy head in Manchester and as the head of standards at an academy in Staffordshire. The 54-year-old will be officially submitting her proposals to the Department of Education soon before drawing a detailed business plan.
For any enquiries or to register your interest please contact Dr Bulvinder Michael on 07713 532274 or b_michael@btinternet.com
Tell us your story. Contact Natalie Banks on 01257 264911 or email: natalie.banks@lep.co.uk
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Weather for Chorley
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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