A NEW post-16 partnership in South Gloucestershire has proved exceedingly popular with parents and students as it held its first open evening.

The new sixth form collaboration between Brimsham Green School, Chipping Sodbury School and Yate International Academy will be known as Cotswold Edge Sixth Form.

The partnership was formed in order to meet the needs of the local students and ensure educational achievement is promoted throughout the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area.

Students and parent from all three schools arrived at the open evening with an air of excitement and intrigue as they met subject teachers to discuss their options for the September 2015 entry.

South Gloucestershire councillor, Ian Blair, attended the open evening and said:

“I was very pleased to be able to be present at the open evening which brought together a large number of enthusiastic students and their families to plan their future.

“I was able to witness true collaboration across the three schools which can only improve the outcomes for young people in the Yate/Sodbury/Dodington area.”

Peter Murphy, director for children, adults and health at South Gloucestershire Council, said: "I was delighted to be invited to attend the open evening. The interest and enthusiasm of parents and students at the event was very evident and it's greatly encouraging to see the three schools committed to working together to provide a broad range of opportunities at post-16.

Cotswold Edge Sixth Form is offering a wide mix of academic and vocational qualifications, leading to a variety of progression routes relevant for each individual student.

Students will be able to travel between each campus on the free shuttle bus service in order to take the subjects that are suitable for them, while still closely working with the teachers and tutors that know them well.

The three heads of the schools, Kim Garland, Gareth Millington, and Roger Gilbert added; “This local partnership marks a really significant step forward in responding to the Education Commission’s report, which urged schools to work better together to improve post 16 education. This is exactly what Cotswold Edge will deliver.”