The Link Special School and Specialist Behaviour Service will celebrate the grand opening of its new £600,000 vocational learning centre, and mark the official launch of The Link – Beyond The Gate Trust on Thursday 1 December.
The new vocational areas will give some of the most vulnerable and marginalized young people in Bath and North East Somerset the chance to undertake practical sessions and study theory in smaller groups and within a small campus feel. The new provision will give each student the opportunity for personalized support to meet their very different and on-going needs.
The new development is the latest in a series of improvements from the Council, totalling £2million, which have completely transformed the facility since 2005.
Bath & North East Somerset Council worked together with the school and contractors to make the vocational learning centre a reality. The Council was successful in securing government grant funding for The Link to develop specialist teaching spaces for land-based studies and construction, as well as catering and hospitality facilities. There is also a vocational classroom and training hall benefiting from Wi-Fi to enable flexible use.
Dawn Harris, Executive Head of The Link – Beyond The Gate Trust, said: “It’s a great provision for the students and we are thrilled that so many of them are excited by the new areas and the new qualifications. The qualifications earned in these areas should provide better opportunities for them when they leave for either the world of work or further or higher education.
“The Trust is made up of a unique group of people who represent diverse organizations which will be able to bring opportunities for the good of our students both within the education setting and in their own local communities and neighbourhoods. We are proud to have their support.”
Officers from Bath & North East Somerset Council designed and managed the project – with contractor EmmDee Building Services carrying out the work, assisted by the Site Manager and Business Manager of the school.
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown), Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, said: “This is a terrific outcome which is thanks to the teamwork across the Council, the school and partners. Improving school buildings is one of the key priorities of Bath & North East Somerset Council and this new development at The Link will particularly help us to improve the life chances of our children and young people by preparing them with valuable skills for the future.”
The students will demonstrate some of the skills they have already learned in the new facilities by offering samples of the savoury and sweet food they have prepared for guests attending the grand opening, including players from Bath Rugby, John Everitt, Chief Executive of Bath & North East Somerset Council, local councillors and the Mayor of Bath.