Sixth-form college is aiming high

OLDHAM Sixth-Form College is aiming to achieve the same results as the very best independent schools without selection.

The was the message from principal Nick Brown as more than 90 students were presented with awards at the college’s annual celebration evening.

He highlighted a host of achievements and initiatives, stating that the college would regularly head league tables if it changed its entry requirements.

And he asked: “So, where next? We can only continue to improve if we challenge ourselves.

“Probably the most difficult way to achieve the goal would be for the town to have an inclusive sixth-form college that got the raw examination results of the very best independent schools, such as Manchester Grammar for Boys and Manchester High School for Girls.

“To achieve this would be extremely testing and, I am sure, many would say impossible.

“However, that is what has been said about everything that the college has tried and been consistently successful at.”

Mr Brown said that the college’s planned science centre was leading a national renaissance in academic science.

Others highlights include its junior university programme to encourage pupils stay in education at 16, gaining beacon status in recognition of its excellence and innovation, three outstanding inspections since 1996 and pioneering University Centre Oldham.

More than 700 students went on to university, this year while the college is in the top 10 per cent nationally for student progress.

“This, of course, needs to be seen in the context of the state of sixth-form education in Oldham when the college was built,” added Mr Brown.

“Then, sixth-form provision in Oldham was the third worst in the country with more Oldhamers leaving the borough at 16 than those that stayed in it.

“It was hoped at the time that the college might attract between 750-800 students. It currently has 2,200 students and a large waiting list and attracts students in their hundreds from neighbouring boroughs.”