YAM YAM UNI ON THE WAY

20-05-2008

Bright kids in Sandwell could soon have the chance to finish their education at home. Education bosses have outlined plans for a university in the borough – traditionally ranked among the country’s worst for exam passes.

The most recent figures saw Sandwell climb 19 places in the GCSE success league, taking it out of the bottom ten for the first time since results were published.

Now there’s a move to create a Uni, spearheaded by the Council and with the backing of all four local MP’s.

At the moment, local youngsters who study while remaining with their families have to head to Wolverhampton or Birmingham.

It remains to be seen where and when the new “Yam Yam University” will be created but there’s no doubt Sandwell is fast shaking off its “basket case” reputation in the education world.

More than £300 million is being invested is revamping all of its secondary schools, and the creation of the Sandwell Academy next to The Hawthorns is a flagship of excellence.

We’ve also featured previously West Brom’s George Salter Collegiate Academy – now twinned with Shireland in Smethwick – which was recently named Educational Establishent of the Year (see link here).

The West Midlands as a whole, and the Black Country in particular, have a problem with graduate retention, and for the good of the local economy, it can’t come soon enough.

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