Cabot Learning Federation and Clifton College Join Forces to boost opportunities for Bristol’s Young People

Two of Bristol’s most successful education bodies are teaming up in a new partnership designed to give the city’s young people new pathways into careers, sport and the arts.

The Cabot Learning Federation – which runs 35 schools across the South West – is joining forces with Clifton College in an exciting initiative to boost access to facilities and opportunities for young people throughout the city.

The two bodies have pledged to share their expertise and resources to enhance children and young people’s school experience, which can help elevate attendance, ambition and aspiration of learners.

The CLF and Clifton College will collaborate on:

• Employability and careers. Sharing connections and enhancing opportunities across the city.
• Youth leadership. Creating opportunities for young leaders to support learners across the CLF and at Clifton College in areas such as reading, writing and dance.
• Performing & creative arts. Collaborating towards a showcase event at a city centre venue, a huge celebration of art, photography, dance and singing. Access opportunities with partner venues across Bristol.
• Sports fixtures and experiences. Opportunity to schedule representative fixtures for CLF invitational teams to play against Clifton College, facilitating joint training sessions and providing access to sports facilities.
• Sharing venue spaces. Together, the CLF and Clifton College have a wide range of spaces across the city and will work together to maximise the use of these spaces, supporting a range of activities for our young people and the community.
• Water sports. In collaboration with AA Watersports, the CLF and Clifton College are excited to be working to raise awareness of water sports among young people. In an initial pilot, a cohort of Clifton College students who are training to become instructors, will coach Year 7 & 8 learners from CLF to sail. This will help students develop key skills such as teamwork, communication and resilience.

Leaders from both the CLF and Clifton College say they are excited to be working together to help deliver new opportunities for Bristol’s next generation.

Steve Taylor, CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:

“Schools and educational organisations across our city are increasingly coming together to collaborate on ways to support all of our children and communities, sharing their expertise and resources. With that in mind it is both timely and exciting for us to develop such a positive relationship with colleagues at Clifton College.

“Bringing together and amplifying the best ideas from both organisations will create the potential to positively influence the experiences and futures of the children and young people across Bristol and beyond.

“This is a great opportunity to connect areas of our city; we’re looking forward to co-creating a range of meaningful activities, events and experiences that enable collaboration amongst children and young people from diverse communities across Bristol.”

Melvyn Roffe, Chief Executive of Clifton College Education Group, said:

“This is a marvellous example of educational organisations identifying new ways of working to maximise the opportunities and excellence we deliver as individual organisations. This collaboration will allow us to deliver the best, not only for our pupils, but for the communities of Bristol.

“We are very proud of our Bristol location and the diverse, cultural and inspiring community we have been part of during our 163-year history. This region is an incredible place to live and this collaboration accentuates every opportunity that Bristol offers from water sports to creative arts and everything in between.

“As educational providers our priority is to prepare children for a rapidly changing modern world and I am particularly proud of the focus this partnership has on employability and careers. Offering young people the opportunity to lead and support others will give them invaluable experience and strong foundations for their future.”