August 22nd, 2023
Written by John Grogan

I welcome the plans for a new sixth form college in Keighley. Keighley’s young people from every background deserve the very best education and I believe sixth form colleges for 16-18 year olds can offer a wider range of subjects and opportunities.

Many young people like them because they have a more adult atmosphere and can be a good bridge between school and the world of work or university.

The truth is that a large number of youngsters from Keighley and the neighbouring villages leave the area every morning for schools and colleges elsewhere in West Yorkshire and across the border in North Yorkshire.

A sixth form college of excellence could begin to reverse that trend.

Furthermore, it could help to close the educational divide which in some recent years saw around 28% of Keighley young people attend a university against a national average of 37.5%.

If I am re-elected as Keighley’s MP I shall want to encourage cooperation between the new sixth form college, the three secondary schools, Keighley College and the representatives of teachers themselves. There will be some disruption and hard choices to be made but I think we must seize this opportunity to improve education in Keighley.

The New Collaborative Learning Trust who will be running the college have a good record of results at similar institutions in Bradford, Doncaster and Pontefract.

The site of the college is not yet fixed. A location near the town centre would be a significant boost for local business.