Now the UK government has formally scrapped the planned Eton Star Teesside colleges plan in Middlesbrough. This decision comes after an extensive re-evaluation of 44 new free school proposals. The proposed university was meant to cater to kids on free school lunches, those from deprived areas and, eventually, first generation uni-goers. The government claims that cancelling this contract will save them £600 million. They will reprioritise these funds to deliver approximately 50,000 new specialist school places for the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.
In 2022, the Eton Star Partnership went a step further and laid out plans to create the college. The old Conservative government sure had these plans approved in early 2023. Even as localities are conducting their own budget audits, the wisdom of the government’s decision continues to be debated among local officials and industry stakeholders.
Sir Simon Clarke, the former Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South, took to social media to voice his disappointment at the cancellation. He underlined that Eton Star Teesside’s mission is to invent educational pathways. They disproportionately focus on young people on free school meals, from widening participation backgrounds and first-generation university-goers.
“The focus was to have been explicitly on supporting children on free school meals, from disadvantaged backgrounds or who would have been the first from their family to go to university.” – Sir Simon Clarke
Andy McDonald, the shadow secretary of transport and Labour MP of Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, reacted positively to the news. He’s been the most vocal critic of the proposed new college and its fit with what the community wants and needs for education. At the same time, Chris Cooke Mayor of Middlesbrough said he had been expecting this outcome from the government’s decision.
Cooke added that Eton hadn’t communicated serious interest in the project for a while. He further stressed that the original commitments made to Eton Star Partnership were overly ambitious. This involved providing free land and transport for students, regardless of their place of residence.
“We haven’t had much interest from Eton for some time. Originally they were promised completely unrealistic stuff,” – Chris Cooke
The federal government is beginning to turn that tide. They will route the funds saved by canceling Eton Star Teesside & co and better invest that money into creating a more diverse and quality educational pipeline across Middlesbrough and the surrounding area. This campaign wants to make sure every child with special educational needs gets the support they need.
A spokesperson from the Department for Education stated, “This government will always prioritise high and rising education standards, but that means excellence everywhere, not leaving some children to fall behind.” They further qualified this by saying that new free school projects are being held only where there is demonstrable need in the market.
The cancellation in Middlesbrough is not a cancelling of progress. Other colleges from the Eton Star Partnership in Dudley and Oldham will proceed as previously planned. The partnership is excited to continue working with the young people of the Teesside region. Even with this disappointment, they will continue their energetic pursuit of new opportunities to assist.
“Although naturally disappointed that our proposed sixth form in Middlesbrough will no longer go ahead, the Eton Star Partnership is committed to raising educational opportunity and will continue to explore ways that it can support young people in the Teesside region.” – Eton Star Partnership spokesperson
