THE principal at Holyrood Academy in Chard has set out an exciting vision for the future of the school’s sixth form facilities – which could mean local students being able to learn on their doorstep rather than having to travel around the county to different colleges.

Martin Brook has said that he wants to increase the number of students within Holyrood’s existing sixth form from just under 200 to up to 250 and has unveiled plans to provide new vocational curriculum of courses including art and design, business and computing.

Courses for health and social care, performing arts and sport are also set to be offered.

Currently, students from Chard, Ilminster and surrounding areas are currently having to travel to colleges in Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater to further their education.

“We want students to come to Holyrood and stay with us from when they start at 11 right through to the end of Sixth-Form when they are 18,” he said.

“We want to develop a vocational pathway and will now be widening an exciting range of vocational subject courses.

“Vocational courses provide an excellent alternative method in which to gain essential skills and knowledge for further higher education study or carers.”

Mr Brook is very excited about the future and has enjoyed building on Holyrood’s outstanding reputation since joining the school back in January 2014.

Holyrood already has a successful Sixth-Form which can cater for the traditional A-Level qualifications – but it now wants to take that extra step forward and reach out to more young people who so far have to travel away to follow their desired educational needs.

As from September 2016 Holyrood will bring new opportunities and with it make the school much stronger in the county’s educational set up and local community.

Mr Brook said that the overall aim in the future will be for Holyrood to have its own purpose-built Sixth-Form Centre on its site in Zembard Lane.

But he knows that that costs money and he is keen to build stronger links with local businesses who might be interested in getting involved with Holyrood and creating potential apprenticeships.

An information meeting about the new courses for students and their parents will be held at the Holyrood Sixth Form Centre at Holyrood Academy on Thursday, November 19, at 6pm.

Mr Brook has stressed that the Sixth-Form is not just there for existing Holyrood students – any student aged 16, regardless of whether they had been through the Holyrood process from 11, can apply.

PHOTO: Holyrood Academy principal Martin Brook with two of his current Sixth-Form students Emil Szydelko and Grace Bale.