Principal Monica Box (left) with the Prime Minister

Wednesday 26th April 2006
COLLEGE TRIBUTE FROM NO. 10

Calderdale College’s contribution to improving learning opportunities for 14 – 19-year-olds was recognised this week when principal Monica Box attended a reception at 10 Downing Street (Monday evening, 24 April).

The event was organised to celebrate and thank those working in the further education sector, including lecturing staff, senior college managers and those leading on 14 – 19 reform and curriculum development.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the role that colleges play in business. “These are extraordinary times for further education”, he said. “There has never been a time when the training provided by the sector has been so needed by the economy.”

“Calderdale College has provided some excellent opportunities to local employers for workforce upskilling at all levels. We try hard to ensure that our training is available at the right time, right place and right price for business” commented Monica Box.

The college has launched several new initiatives for 14-19-year-olds over the past six months, including the Construction Skills Academy, opened in Mytholmroyd in January to provide two days’ training a week for pupils at Calder High, Todmorden High, Ryburn Valley High and Sowerby Bridge High schools. The North Halifax Skills Centre in Ovenden, launched last September, also provides vocational training for years 10 and 11 school pupils as well as post-16. In addition, the college has launched football academies for boys and girls, a rugby league academy and a dance academy which will provide two days’ professional training in a special interest, combined with academic or vocational qualifications for 16 – 18-year-olds.

“It has been a challenging and rewarding six months”, said Mrs Box. “Some of these new ventures have provided a blueprint for other colleges and all have been achieved following a lot of dedicated hard work by staff at Calderdale College and our partner businesses, schools and organisations in Calderdale. I was proud to represent all those people and to have these achievements recognised. It was excellent to have the Prime Minister himself acknowledge the good work that is taking place here in Calderdale”.