Merthyr learning Quarter
It is intended that the proposed tertiary development will provide brand new, first-class specialist facilities for young people to study a wide range of subjects at AS/A2 and vocational provision catering for all needs, abilities and aspirations. The new campus will greatly enhance the learning process and promises to increase engagement and staying-on rates post-16.
A greater number and choice of subjects and courses will be on offer than is the case presently, even allowing for the cooperative arrangements between schools. The projected MLQ curriculum offer is for 62 programmes at Level 3 as AS/A level courses or vocational equivalent and, for young people wishing to continue their studies to improve or add to their qualifications at Level 2, a further 45 programmes at Level 2, GCSE equivalents.
It is envisaged that the proposed MLQ will open in 2013. Pupils presently attending years 7 and 8 in secondary schools in the County Borough will be the first cohort to be affected directly.
The case for change is to:
• raise the overall standards of success and achievement in Merthyr Tydfil;
• increase participation and staying-on rates in post-16 education and training;
• improve the breadth and depth of curriculum to make it more responsive to the
needs of all learners and employers;
• increase progression to further and higher education or to employment;
• provide a cost effective and efficient model for delivery; and
• respond appropriately to the Welsh Assembly Government’s proposals for transforming education and training provision in Wales to make it fit for the 21st Century.
The performance of Merthyr Tydfil schools at Key Stage 4 (15 to 16-year-olds) is below the all-Wales average. The percentage of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades atGCSE declined over the period 2006-2008, but improved in 2009. The percentage gaining the level 2 threshold including English or Welsh first language and mathematics is also considerably below the Welsh average as is performance in the Key Stage 4 Core Subject Indicator.
Percentage of pupils who gained five or more GCSEs grade A*-C or vocational
Equivalent
Percentage of pupils who achieved the level 2 threshold including a GCSE pass
in English or Welsh first language and mathematics
As in other key stages, due to the continued dedicated professionalism of school
staff and the efforts of the students themselves, performance at Key Stage 5 shows improvement, but remains below the Welsh average.
Percentage of 17 year old pupils entering a volume equivalent to 2 A levels who
achieved the Level 3 threshold
Summary of benefits
Key benefits of the proposed MLQ include:
• an increase in the number of young people aged 16+ continuing to study and to
progress into high skilled employment and/or further or higher education;
• further improvements in the overall standard of attainment by young people, to the benefit of their life chances;
• a greater choice of subjects offered to students and more opportunities to
combine academic courses with vocational courses;
• increased engagement with employers in the development and delivery of
education and training;
• a reduction in the number of young people aged 16+ not in education,
employment or training;
• eliminating the need for students to travel between different schools and providers in order to access their preferred subject options;
• an increase in the knowledge base and skills level of the community in general,
making Merthyr Tydfil more attractive for employers to invest in and boosting
economic regeneration;
• reducing inequalities in achievement between advantaged and disadvantaged
areas, groups and individuals, and improving social justice;
• removing inefficiencies in the use of resources and directing more of the funding
available to teaching, learning and learner support;
• new purpose-built accommodation providing state-of-the-art facilities, including
the latest equipment and technology;
• extending links with associated community services and facilities, such as health
care, leisure and the arts;
• all needs in terms of premises and facilities fully met, including issues relating to
access by disabled young people, environmental performance and sustainability.
