"Sheffield needs specialist providers like SHIFT Media" - Parent calls on council to support campaign to re-open college

Sheffield Independent Film and Television (SHIFT) Media, based on Paternoster Row, helped young people between 16 and 25 gain qualifications, training and work experience.

About a third of its students had special educational needs or disabilities.

But after more than 10 years it had its funding removed by the Education Skills Funding Agency after Ofsted inspectors gave them an ‘inadequate’ rating, forcing it to close doors in September 2019.

A number of those involved in the project spoke out at a full council meeting and pleaded for the authority to help get their funding back.

Jillian Fearn, whose daughter attended the college and launched a petition to save it, said at the meeting: "When I started this petition is was about my daughter and how I'd been let down by the education system, then realised it was bigger than just one young adult with a disability.

"I thought when my daughter started at SHIFT 'at last we've found somewhere that will help her move forward, gain results and help build her confidence'.

"Sheffield needs specialist providers like SHIFT Media in our city."

Councillor Abtisam Mohamed, cabinet member for skills and education, said: "I spoke to a number of people last year when funding was withdrawn including parents.

"I've seen the Ofsted reports and I'm not going to be Ofsted's biggest advocate because I know the discrepancies in the way providers are inspected.

"What I will say is I'm happy to support the provider and work with SHIFT, I've got no problems writing a letter of support or actively supporting the provision because I know the impact it has with parents and families.

"My worry is I'm not sure it's within our gift to change the government policy, I know how the ESFA (Education Skills Funding Agency) works. While I'm happy to put political pressure on them I'm not sure that will overturn the decision."

Ofsted inspectors rated SHIFT inadequate in all but one area - personal development, behaviour and welfare - in which they were rated 'requires improvement'.