Pic: Kath Cooper Principal CLF Post 16 & Steve Taylor CEO
Up to 1,000 extra further education places will open to Bristol students after the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) was given a green light to build a new free school in East Central Bristol.
The Department for Education (DfE) has today announced plans for 15 new free school developments in parts of the country it says are most in need of new provision.
Today the DfE has revealed that it has asked the CLF to lead the Bristol project, which could potentially see the new state-of-the-art school up and running by 2025.
Provisional plans are for the new school to be based on the site of the former Speedwell Fire Station, adjacent to Bristol Brunel Academy, which has long been earmarked for educational use, but which has remained undeveloped since the station was demolished in 2019.
The CLF hopes the new school will open new routes into further education for students who may traditionally have missed out in competition for the city’s post-16 places.
Principal of CLF Post 16 Kath Cooper said:
“I am thrilled with the DfE’s decision to support the CLF’s ambitions for Post 16 education in East and Central Bristol.
“This project will allow us to continue to grow our curriculum and meet the needs of all learners, while having a positive impact on the lives of students in our community, as they secure academic success and move on to aspirational careers. ”
Cabot Learning Federation Chief Executive Steve Taylor said:
“We are delighted the CLF has been chosen to develop a new post-16 free school for the South West.
“This is the culmination of a long-held ambition for the CLF, and supports our wider goal of helping the region’s young people to overcome disadvantage to fulfil their potential and enhance their life prospects.
“The DfE’s endorsement of the CLF’s bid is a welcome endorsement of our impact, and we look forward to working with them to deliver this much-needed new school.
“Thanks to our partners for their support in the bidding process, and for the ongoing spirit of collaboration in our area.”
The new school will add to the CLF’s growing further education provision. The CLF trust already operates CLF Post 16 at the John Cabot Academy site in Bristol, Digitech Studio School in Kingswood, and sites in Weston-super-Mare, Tewkesbury and Taunton.
