By now I hope you are aware the Bolsover Constituency will soon be getting a new Sixth Form! Getting this project over the line after years of working alongside the fantastic team at Redhill Academy Trust and my colleagues in the Department for Education, is both the greatest achievement and proudest moment of my life. I truly believe the single biggest thing that will change the course of our future, and reverse the decades of decline seen in Bolsover, is bringing post-16 education back to Bolsover.
That’s because Bolsover consistently ranks bottom of the regional league tables when it comes to skills and education. We have the highest percentage of 16-17 year olds not in employment, education or training in Derbyshire. The number of people aged 16+ without any formal qualifications is 5.8% higher than the national average and 4.5% higher than the East Midlands Average, while the percentage of adults with a degree level or higher is 11.6% below the national average. This ranks Bolsover 541st out of all of the Parliamentary constituencies based on educational attainment.
This new Sixth Form will provide spaces for 400 students, set to open in September 2026, and will ensure all young people have the chance to further their academic pursuits without needing to leave their area or make the long journeys to the other providers in the East Midlands. If we are serious about levelling up and providing equal opportunity regardless of geography then post-16 education in the heart of the Bolsover Constituency is a vital piece of the jigsaw.
Ultimately, this new education provision will ensure future generations in Bolsover have the skills and education needed to drive investment into our region with high-skilled, high-paid jobs and ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. The school is supported by local employers who will benefit from this new generation of high-skilled workers, and will be the driver of economic growth and prosperity for our region.
During the application process, I worked very closely with the University of Derby to bring them on as an official supporter of this bid. The University has committed to working closely with Redhill Academy Trust to ensure its students leave sixth form with the skills needed to excel. The University will also use its expertise in technical education to support the new Bolsover Sixth Form in expanding technical skills in our area and ensure all children are catered for regardless of their future ambitions.
