On 12 October 2022, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) will launch their formal partnership with Retford Oaks Academy – soon to be the newest Foundation School in Health (FSiH) and only the second in the UK.
The partnership intends to develop opportunities and widen participation for pupils from the Bassetlaw area wishing to pursue a career in the health and care service. It will see an increased involvement from the health and care workforce at the academy, work experience and internship opportunities for students, as well as the appointment of ‘DBTH Career Champions’ within the Trust to support the range of proposed activities.
The partnership will officially be launched at Retford Oaks Academy Library at 2pm on 12 October.
Jane West, Assistant Principal at Retford Oaks Academy, said: “We are so proud to be part of this exciting partnership and will relish the many opportunities that it offers to our students at Retford Oaks as well as all the students in Bassetlaw.
“The Foundation School in Health status will ensure our students’ career aspirations are heightened. We pride ourselves on dedication and broadening everyone’s horizons – students, parents and the wider community. This brilliant development for our academy will maximise that vision.”
The introduction of a work experience framework, and the ‘We Care into the Future’ health and care careers event for all year 8s across the borough, are just some of the successful outcomes of the first Foundation School in Health partnership run with Hall Cross.
Start-up funding for the FSiH project has been supported by The Health Foundation and NHS England and NHS Improvement.
Dr Alasdair Strachan, Director of Education and Research and Consultant Anaesthetist at the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust, said: “We look forward to replicating the nationally recognised Foundation School in Health model in Bassetlaw with Retford Oaks Academy.
“The Health Foundation, NHS England and NHS Improvement have recognised this opportunity with funding to enable this project to develop at speed, ensuring students have the same opportunities to engage with the amazing employment opportunities in health and care.
“The partnership will enable this provision to be modelled specifically to the Bassetlaw students and allow sharing between the two Foundation Schools in Health.”
One of only six NHS anchor institutions chosen, the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust were awarded an incredible £25,000 for the initiative.
Zoe Hunt, Health Related Learning Manager at Retford Oaks Academy, said: “It is a privilege to be involved in this partnership and to be able to collaborate and raise the aspirations of our students.
“We recognise the huge benefits created from the knowledge and exposure to the many different occupational pathways within the NHS, which in turn could positively impact the career prospects of our future generations.”
