Pushing Beyond the Curriculum

Description

Years before other British schools, the Grove Comprehensive in Market Drayton offered all pupils, from all abilities, the opportunity to study vocational based modules as well as academic qualifications.

Headteacher Richard Arrowsmith was appointed in the mid '90s when governors realised that the curriculum was failing many students at the school. Richard and Simon Stoneley, now director of vocational education at the school, first set up a land and environment GNVQ at Walford FE College.

Soon, the school began offering other GNVQs on a modular basis, with individual opportunities for students to build their NVQ qualifications around a work placement. The school now offers vocational courses ranging from animal management to construction and hairdressing.

Part of the series: Vocation, Vocation, Vocation