College that proved critics wrong

The Chronicle counts down to the 20th anniversary of Oldham Sixth Form College
It was once dubbed “a complete waste of money” that would struggle to attract students.

But the critics were proved wrong and 20 years on Oldham Sixth Form College is one of the borough’s most successful achievements.

It is credited with changing the educational face of the borough, raising aspirations and paving the way for other developments such as University Campus Oldham.

Originally planned to have 1,000 students by the end of its second year, enrolment smashed expectations when the £15.3 million building opened at the start of September, 1992.

It had 620 teenagers and two decades on the number has risen to around 2,300 with approximately 12,000 students going on to higher education throughout its history.

One of the country’s best sixth form colleges, it has expanded over the years and opened its £10 million Regional Science Centre last year.

This is a marked contrast to the late 1980s when Oldham has some of the country’s lowest staying-on rates and poorest A-level results.

It was these concerns which led to the creation of the college. Then council leader John Battye said in a debate in 1989: “We have a duty and a responsibility to provide better education.

Heated political debate surrounded how to re-organise Oldham’s post-16 provision. Teenagers were going to colleges out of the borough but the decision to build a sixth form was controversial.

There were concerns about the cost, proposed locations and funding. Schools battled to save their sixth forms from closure.

Former council leader and mayor David Jones was one of the driving forces behind the college along with Councillor Battye, now deputy cabinet member for adult social services and health.

Mr Jones was chairman of the education committee at the time: “It was very very difficult.”

But Mr Jones, who was made an honorary alderman last year, said there was massive support from people to change the system.

Original principal Nick Brown, awarded the OBE for services to further education in 2007, said his career would have been on the line had the college failed.

“Oldham Sixth Form was a very, very brave decision. It committed everyone.”

The college was eventually built on time and within budget on the site of the former Oldham Royal Infirmary site off Union Street West. It was the country’s first purpose-built sixth form college to open for more than 20 years.

The hospital’s doorway was rebuilt as the college entrance and inside it was bursting with technology.

“Parents realised immediately this was something that was totally different and youngsters wanted to go there — and opted to go there,” said Mr Jones.

“There was the range of subjects and the open entry. You needed good GCSEs but they would accept youngsters who had the ability but perhaps hadn’t achieved.”

Mr Jones classes the creation of the college as one of his proudest political achievements.

He puts much of its success down to the vision of Nick Brown, who was in charge until 2010, and original chairman of governors Rod Clough.

He also pointed to its close relationship with Oldham College, and the way both have worked with the local authority, adding: “A lot of people have been jealous of Oldham Sixth Form College.

“I just want it to continue to be the beacon that it has been through its life.”