One vision

In the future, Suffolk One will be the region's flagship 16-19 learning centre of excellence.

This inspirational centre will sit at the heart of a collaborative community of schools, colleges, universities and businesses where all talents and achievements are equally valued.

And in the future it'll be said with pride, " We're One."

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All for One and One for all - our shared values.

Everyone should enjoy being here. Whether we're students at One, teach or work here, or have children who'll be coming to One in the future, we'll enable success because we share the same values, hold the same beliefs.

What do we believe in the most?

1. Inspiration: One centre, endless possibility.
We believe in delivering an inspirational environment.

2. Enjoyment: One great experience.
We believe in empowerment, enrichment and having fun.

3. Partnership: All for One.
We believe that working together brings greater reward.

4. Achievement: One for all.
We believe in progression for all ages and all talents.

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Five Aims - One mission: a positive future for every student.

Simply put, we aim to:

• extend breadth and choice in what our students can learn
• raise everyone's aspirations, participation and achievement
• ensure high quality tuition in every part of the curriculum
• ease the transition from school
• improve continuity in our students' learning environment

Our purpose is to deliver a more positive future for every student.

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You've got it in One

The name Suffolk One, or just One as it's becoming colloquially known, was the result of finding a simple, memorable word or two to express what the new centre stands for, and the vision, values and aims of everyone involved in moving it forward. But it was no simple task.

Research into the aspirations and expectations of young people heading towards this stage of their education began in 2008 with public consultation about the centre, and continued this year as the challenge of finding a suitable name brought together students, Heads and Governors to consider a shortlist of possible titles: a list that resulted from local and national research, analysis, creative thinking and stakeholder discussion. After working through which names ticked all the boxes and would work just as hard in fifty years as they would today, One stood out head and shoulders above the rest. Most importantly the students we worked with, agreed. 

It caused quite a stir in some circles. Seems like a lot of folk were expecting something more traditional, while others were plain confused.

To the former we say: "let's look forward." There is no tradition in an establishment that's not even built yet. One has neither historical nor geographical heritage. Rather, in ten, twenty, a hundred years' time it will be the embodiment of everything its own students and staff have created from scratch - starting now - and that's the most important thing about it. One is about the people who study, work and play there; they will define it as a successful, vibrant learning centre through their own personal achievements. Its reputation will be their legacy.

To those who don't see how the name One is anything to do with education, you're right. But it doesn't need a prescriptive label like all the rest; something as innovative and different (in educational terms) as this centre will be, merits a label of its own. One that speaks more of unity and teamwork and personal achievement, than it does of being an institution.

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The SWISS Partnership

The South West Ipswich and South Suffolk (SWISS) Partnership is a unique collaboration of schools, colleges, businesses, training providers, employers and agencies in the region. Suffolk One is a member of the SWISS Partnership.

SWISS was formed in 2005 to deliver 14-19 reforms and transform learning in the community. Members have developed a range of collaborative approaches and initiatives:

• curriculum development
• workforce planning
• joint staff development opportunities
• joint staff appointments
• improved service delivery options
• ways to improve the learning offer for young people

SWISS education partners are:

Beacon Hill School (Special School, 5- 16 years)
Belstead School (Special School, 11- 19 years)
Chantry High School (11- 18 years)
Claydon High School (11-18 years)
East Bergholt High School (11- 16 years)
Hadleigh High School (11- 16 years)
Holbrook High School (11- 16 years)
Otley College (FE College)
Stoke High School (11- 16 years)
Suffolk New College (FE College)
Suffolk One (16-19 years)
Thomas Wolsey School (Special School, 5- 19 years)
Thurleston High School (11- 16 years)
Westbourne Sports College (11- 18 years)
Westbridge Pupil Referral Unit

The Headteachers of the schools and Vice Principals of the colleges meet every two weeks to drive the agenda forward. Their commitment, enthusiasm and approach to collaborative working is quite exceptional and the same teamwork will drive the success of Suffolk One.

With the support of the Local Authority, it is planned that One joins with the partnership schools to develop a SWISS Trust. The Trust will be implemented in September 2010 and will include in its membership partners from business and commerce, the LA, Health and local Further and Higher Education. Find out more about the SWISS Trust.

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A brief history

The Suffolk 14-19 Area Wide Inspection (AWI) and the Post-16 Strategic Area Review identified a number of issues that indicated the need for new provision for learners aged 16 to 19 in SWISS. This formed the basis of the 16-19 competition that was run by the local LSC and subsequently won by the SWISS Partnership of schools in December 2006 for 100% funding of construction costs to build a new centre for post 16 education.

This centre, known then by its working title ‘the SWISS centre', is now Suffolk One. 

To enable the fullest commitment possible to this vital project, it was agreed that sixth form provision would cease at Chantry, Stoke, Claydon and Thurleston High Schools and Westbourne Sports College, which will all continue as 11 to 16 schools. Post 16 education at Belstead and Thomas Wolsey (Special) Schools will also cease.

The Suffolk Children and Young Peoples Services Joint Area Review (JAR) also identified the need to improve access and learning opportunities for learners with special education needs post-16. Meeting the challenge of serving a mix of urban and rural communities and of providing excellent provision for students with SEN is central to this development.

In 2007, a Programme Board structure was established, led by Allan Cadzow, SCC and involving key stakeholders. Alan Whittaker (now Principal of Suffolk One) and Anne Rickwood were seconded from their schools as Joint Programme Directors, supported by Bob Dool, the SWISS Partnership Director. Turner and Townsend was appointed as the project management team and Bond Bryan as the architects. More recently, ISG Jackson, a Suffolk based company, has been appointed as the contractor to undertake construction, providing a boost to local employment in this sector.