Open weekend at Devon's newest school

Teens with an interest in high-flying careers as architects, interior designers and structural engineers can meet the team behind a new specialist school opening next year in Ashburton at the town’s Food Festival this weekend.

Called Atrium Studio, the new government-funded school will offer students aged 13-18 an education focusing on the professions within the Built Environment, and will be the first offering this specialism in the South West. Construction of the £3.7m state-of-the-art complex – designed by the award-winning Satellite Architects – will begin in January 2015 on a site alongside South Dartmoor Community College.

Atrium will have a stand at Ashburton’s Food Festival on Saturday 13th September, and prospective students and their parents are invited to meet the new Principal, Matt Messias, to find out more about the school’s unique educational offering.

Based on the pioneering Studio School model, Atrium will teach the curriculum plus industry-specific creative subjects through personalised, project-based learning within a small environment (a maximum of 375 pupils). Students also gain real workplace experience – which at Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13) can be up to two days a week – in preparation for professional careers in areas including architecture, interior design, ecology, structural engineering, surveying and town planning.

Matt Messias brings to the role specific experience of motivating students to become independent learners who are equipped to cope with life after school.

“In addition to working as a teacher and deputy principal for more than 15 years – in the UK and New Zealand – I’ve also spent a number of years as a consultant in the school system, advising secondary-age students on making the transition to University and the world of work,” says Matt. “It’s an important aspect of school life, and one which often gets overlooked in traditional education models. Studio Schools address the issue head on, and equip students with the knowledge and skills that employers require in the 21st century.

“I’m looking forward to being part of establishing a culture of success by developing professional partnerships, particularly between school and industry. It’s a unique opportunity to make learning real and authentic by combining industry experience with a fully integrated practical curriculum.”

The application period for entry in 2015 into Year 9 is now open, and there will be the opportunity to register at the Food Festival on Saturday. Applications for entry into Year 12 open in November 2014. The catchment area extends across a 20-mile radius.

“We are creating a unique and exciting school that will develop high-level skills critical for nurturing new knowledge, technologies and innovation, which are the foundation stones to providing a specialist education in an industry experiencing growth in our region,” says Matt. “I’m really excited to be taking on this role, and to be working with creative students in a beautiful, new, modern learning environment.”

There will be a series of further drop-in Open Events for students and parents to meet the staff and find out more on Thursday 18th September 2014 at 5-7pm, Thursday 2nd October 2014 at 5-7pm and Thursday 16th October 2014 at 5-7pm to be held at South Dartmoor Community College, Balland Lane, Ashburton. For more information about Studio Schools visit www.studioschoolstrust.org. For more details about Atrium visit www.atrium-studio.co.uk.