A WEST Dorset sixth form has teamed up with a college to offer students more vocational opportunities.

The Beaminster and the Sir John Colfox Sixth Form has entered into a new partnership with Yeovil College to allow pupils to 'follow vocational pathways'.

Special transport arrangements have been set up to allow students to travel to Yeovil for new courses on offer.

Headteacher of the Sir John Colfox Academy, Kay Taylor, said: "We have always been aware that we have been unable to appropriately support students who wish to follow vocational pathways.

"This new partnership will allow us to offer a much wider range of courses while still being able to continue to support the students we know so well.

"Rural transport is a significant problem. The partnership will arrange for students to have a direct bus from Bridport, stopping in Beaminster, and then going straight on to Yeovil College. The cost will be less than students currently pay and they will only need to be in college two or three days a week - enabling them to spend the rest of the time in the Beaminster and Colfox Sixth Form."

As part of the new agreement with Yeovil College, students will be able to study courses at level three such as engineering, health and social care, child care, applied science and ICT. At level two, pupils will also be able to follow a range of vocational courses such as beauty therapy, catering, electrical installation and plumbing.

Keith Hales, head of Beaminster School, said: "This is an innovative and exciting new partnership. It will mean that our sixth form is more inclusive and we can continue to offer the personal support that we pride ourselves on.

“Students across both schools have reacted positively to this initiative, and we are very pleased by the numbers who have already applied. We expect to see demand grow as the partnership establishes itself, and it will be great to add a vocational element to our successful and very established A-level and BTEC programmes of study.”

Year 11 students at both schools, plus some year 12 students who have decided to move from an A-level programme to a vocational one, were interviewed by Yeovil College staff. The schools will be arranging taster days and an induction for their current students during the summer term.

The Yeovil College partnership programme is open to any students in the Bridport and the Beaminster area considering post-16 courses in the subjects being offered. Anyone interested in the programme should contact the Sir John Colfox Academy or Beaminster School.