Property investor backs new school in Sandwell

A NEW school which aims to help and support children who have missed out on educational opportunities has opened in West Bromwich.

Sandwell Valley School has been supported by the Bond Wolfe Charitable Trust and other local businesses.

The school is based in the former offices of construction firm Anglo Holt in Birmingham Road.

Bond Wolfe chairman Paul Bassi has joined the school board of governors, along with Andrew Simpson, former head of floorcoverings group Headlam and Viv Evans, former head of Walsall Academy.

Attending the opening ceremony was West Bromwich East MP and deputy leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson.

He said the idea behind Sandwell Valley School was “characteristic” of Sandwell.

“It is an innovative solution and shows we are a resilient community that works together,” he said.

He praised Paul Bassi and the other business leaders for making the project happen.

“A son of Sandwell who has come back, recognised a problem and put together a solution,” said Mr Watson.

“This is a very rewarding day indeed for me and everyone who has supported this venture and is here today.”

He was welcomed by school Principal Mim Hall who said that so far the school had helped over 300 apprentices into places leading to permanent employment.

She explained that Sandwell Valley School was a charity that relied on other schools to buy its services.

“Our students come from diverse backgrounds and arrive with differing abilities, but it is our task to ensure the best outcome for all of them,” she said.

The school accepts pupils throughout the school year from a variety of referral agencies and offers bespoke programmes including eight GCSEs linked to the pupils’ needs whether that be emotional/social or any other barrier impeding achievement.

Additionally, pupils from Years 9, 10 and 11, who are at the early stages of learning English as an additional language attend intervention programmes to improve their communication, reading and writing skills and follow a range of other qualifications.

The school also offers short term and long terms placements for Year 9, 10 and 11 with an approach that is both flexible and innovative, plus post 16 provision which includes study programmes and apprenticeships.

Currently, the school has 60 pupils, 100 apprentices, and 20 teachers providing tuition, mentoring and support.

Mr Bassi said: “The Bond Wolfe Charitable Trust was set up to make a difference and it does so by contributing quietly and unobtrusively to a number of projects across the West Midlands where we see real need and real value.

“Sandwell Valley School is an excellent example of this and we are very proud to be able to support this exciting new venture through its formative years.”