Sports partnership a first for the region

R-L: Sporting celebrity, Sally Gunnell, gives her
support to the project with Chris Abbott,
head teacher, South Hunsley School, and
Jeanette Dawson, principal, Bishop Burton College.

Bishop Burton College, based in Beverley, has celebrated the formation of a new partnership with South Hunsley School, in North Ferriby, which heralds a new era of learning for the region.

The move comes ahead of a £25 million redevelopment programme that the college is poised to embark on, supported by funding from the LSC.

An important element of the redevelopment programme is a new sports academy which when coupled with the £4 million investment in South Hunsley School's sports facilities, means the partnership could offer unrivalled sports provision in the area.

Ross Palmer, partnership director for the LSC in Hull, recently attended the official launch event to celebrate the unique partnership and has been involved with the development project. He said: "Bishop Burton College is recognised as one of five large specialist land-based colleges in the UK with core activities including sport.

"We are happy to help fund the project, not only because the college's vision puts continuing focus on responding to stakeholder needs for specialist land-based education and training throughout the region at its heart, but the new developments will place them in a strong position to deliver increased numbers of 16-18 learners."

There are also plans to look at how both Bishop Burton College and South Hunsley School can come together in the delivery of a range of innovative vocational courses up to Foundation Degree level, which will ensure that learners continue to achieve great results.

Principal of Bishop Burton College, Jeanette Dawson, commented: "This partnership is the first of its kind in the region and it presents a wonderful opportunity for South Hunsley School and Bishop Burton College to fulfil their potential as places of learning and as key part of the community.

"The collaboration along with the new developments will enable learners and staff at Bishop Burton to further develop their skills, share best practice with like-minded colleagues and draw on them for support, as well as take advantage of an expanding range of fantastic state-of-the-art resources."

Chris Abbott, head teacher at South Hunsley School, feels that the partnership is an exciting development for education in the region. She comments: "Each organisation has clear strengths and significant resources to contribute to a sustainable, fruitful and worthwhile partnership. Talks have so far focused on the differing resources at both sites which have the potential to be used for the joint delivery of a number of academic, community and commercial enterprises."