The former Department for Education and Skills’ (DFES) Innovation Unit provided funding to the Young Foundation to develop its Studio Schools concept as follows:
DFES Innovation Unit
2006-07—£12,000 (Studio Schools concept)
The IU Ltd.
2006-07—£25,000 (Phase II of the Studio Schools concept)
2007-08—£25,000 (Phase III of the Studio Schools project)
2007-08—£60,000 pending as field trial grant
In September 2007 a national trial of the Studio Schools concept commenced at Barnfield College, Luton (linked with Barnfield West Academy) where 28 students will be following a Studio Schools-designed curriculum. This pilot is run by the Innovation Unit and the Young Foundation. It will run for a year and involve 90 students. Another short pilot is planned for Newham over summer next year (2008) to give 60 students a six week studio school experience.
The lessons from these pilots will be used by the Young Foundation and the Innovation Unit to inform the development of other studio schools.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is exploring how Studio Schools might link with the Academies programme. To inform this work DCSF has engaged consultants to look at the current Studio School pilot in Luton and to discuss the concept with the Young Foundation and other local authorities which have expressed an interest.