A new kind of school

Studio schools are a new kind of school that Edge is helping to develop. Aimed at 14- to 18-year-old students, studio schools have a strong emphasis on practical work and enterprise, teaching the national curriculum through interdisciplinary enterprise education. They’re not meant to replace other kinds of schools. Instead, they provide an alternative approach suitable for young people looking for a more entrepreneurial option or alienated by traditional pedagogy.

Personal touch

Student numbers will be low – around 300 in each school. Every student will have a personal coach; there will be mixed age teams; and the schools will have many of the features of a workplace (like booking holidays).

Studio on trial

Elements of the studio school model are the subject of a field trial with Barnfield College and Barnfield Academy West in Luton, in collaboration with The Innovation Unit. The trial began in September 2007 with 23 14-year-olds and will eventually be scaled up to a full studio school. Edge is working with the Young Foundation to set up a Studio Schools Trust that will work in partnership with local authorities and the DCSF.

Why we need this project

Studio schools fill a gap in the education system. They will allow students who prefer to learn practically to achieve qualifications and skills through activities linked to running a real business.