|
| |
|
 |
|
|
Welcome to Education & Training Yearbook 2004 |
|
|
| |
 Most
new publications generate speculation and a certain amount of
local interest when first mooted, and this particular Education
& Training Yearbook for the Wakefield District has been
no exception. Many thanks of appreciation must be extended to
all those who have given encouragement and valued support in
the publication of this book.
Usually, I shy away from using hackneyed clichés like
the plague, but when the possibility of serious involvement
in this magazine became apparent, one came to mind, heard many
years ago at Teacher Training College. An elderly lecturer,
deep into the concept of education suggested that it was “a
road we travelled rather than a goal we reached”, which
was difficult to argue with and sounded quite profound!
This reasonable assumption has stayed with me through a life
time of teaching in many different situations, and in glancing
through these pages, the simple truth and clear message of that
statement, heard so long ago, is dramatically emphasised in
its message to all ages within this book.
The opportunities are here for all those who have the desire
and need to seek expert help in developing their true potential
in a friendly learning environment here in West Yorkshire.
Brian Burgess (Editor) |
|
|
|
| |
“Learning should be a very important element of everyone’s
lives. Wakefield District Learning Partnership wants to encourage
everyone to be involved in learning experiences throughout their lives
and ensure that these experiences improve the quality of people’s
lives. By bringing together a range of partners we aim to provide
a coherent range of high quality learning opportunities, which are
appropriate for and accessible to everyone across the Wakefield district.
Therefore, the Learning Partnership is pleased to support the production
of this Year Book, which provides information about some of the many
opportunities and support facilities available to you across the district
in relation to learning.”
Catherine Lunn,
Manager,Wakefield District Learning Partnership |
|
|
| |
 Wakefield
is a great place to live, and a great place for learning. Our
schools and colleges are among the best in the region –
and we can make that claim with confidence, based on the evidence
of examinations and test results, and of Inspection outcomes.
Wakefield's providers work together to extend opportunities.
Very strong partnerships exist in our early years service, for
example, and is developing an even wider range of provsion at
14+. Our Adult and Community Education Service works with a
range of voluntary bodies to deliver courses in centres across
the entire district.
Wakefield is changing – the decline of our former
staple industries has opened the way to new employment opportunities,
and major housing developments have brought large numbers
of new residents to the area. Regeneration initiatives
are either being planned or are in progress throughout the district.
Education and training are fundamental to continuing success.
In the past, too many of our people have tended to assume that
participation in education after the end of compulsory schooling
wasn't really important. That is changing : there is a much
greater realisation that the rapid changes in the economy mean
that people need to ensure that they are well qualifed, well
trained and continually updated, to function successfully in
the labour market and to underpin economic well-being and quality
of life.
I hope that all of you reading this publication will find it
helpful in identifying the range of provision in Wakefield –
and that you will want to investigate further the quality of
what is available.
John McLeod, Corporate Director (Education) |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
