Merthyr Learning Quarter
July 21, 2009
A proposal for a new, state of the art, tertiary based centre was approved by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council on Monday 27th June 2009.
The aim of the centre, which is to be called the Merthyr Learning Quarter, is to radically improve learning and employment opportunities for the whole population of Merthyr Tydfil and the wider Heads of the Valleys region.
The Merthyr Learning Quarter will provide improved opportunities for post-16 students to access a broad range of academic subjects, work-based training and vocational courses designed to improve the students’ learning experiences and better equip and prepare them for further or higher education and employment.
The proposed tertiary model is being taken forward by the University of Glamorgan in liaison with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.
Partnership working is imperative in making this proposal a success, as indicated by John O’Shea, Dean of Merthyr Tydfil College:
“The new MLQ will provide the very best facilities and highest quality opportunities for all learners – designed to give them every chance of succeeding as they move on to employment or university. We will work in close partnership with all of the town’s secondary schools, so that not only do learners achieve their ambitions at 18, but they also leave school at 16 with better skills and qualifications. We know from experience in many other areas that this is precisely what happens when this model is followed.
The MLQ will be a unique partnership between schools, the MLQ and universities that will bring the opportunity for Merthyr’s learners to study, in Merthyr, an exciting mix of academic and practical courses from age 16 up to degree.”
The number of study options presently available to sixth form students in the County Borough is likely to at least double through the implementation of the proposed curriculum for post-16 students educated at the MLQ. This expansion of learning opportunities will better enable young people to choose courses that are appropriately matched to their different learning styles and to prepare effectively for their futures.
Councillor Richard Thomas, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services and Chair of the Project Board said:
“Merthyr Tydfil remains committed to providing a high quality of service to our children. The proposal to move to a tertiary system of education Post 16, will allow us to continue to put children first and improve learning.
We want to create a learning environment that allows all of our young people an opportunity to gain the qualifications and skills they will need to move forward into a productive and fulfilled adulthood.
By increasing choice and ensuring parity of esteem for all learners we will encourage fairness and equality and give support at all levels of learning and achievement. A business case is being prepared to ensure that we are able to meet these objectives and secure effective, efficient and responsive service delivery.”
Chris Abbott, Director of Integrated Children’s Services for Merthyr Tydfil, who reinforced the notion that a tertiary based centre would improve life chances of those who attend, stated:
“We live in a world that demands a highly skilled workforce and recognise that the acquisition of skills and getting a job are two of the most powerful ways in which individuals from all backgrounds can transform their life chances. This means that our education and training system must cater for the needs of learners and the demands of employers if we are to equip and prepare people for employment. The proposed Merthyr Learning Quarter will help us to realise our ambition to improve the life chances of all the young people in Merthyr Tydfil.”
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