Coulsdon Sixth Form College is this week celebrating its three year anniversary of being in federation with Reigate Sixth Form College, a Beacon College, graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
In those three years, the College has gone from strength to strength. A Level and BTEC pass marks have been above 99% for the past two years and are predicted to be higher again this academic year.
With the widest offer of A Levels and BTEC Level 3 qualifications in the Croydon Area, students are attracted to the flexibility of provision. Applications are currently running at over 50% higher than two years ago and with over 1,000 applicants already received this year-to-date, the College is the fastest-growing Sixth Form College in the UK.
Sixth Form Colleges Commissioner at the Education Funding Agency, Peter Mucklow is impressed by the unprecedented turnaround of the College and has sited the Partnership between Reigate and Coulsdon as a Flagship project.
Federation Executive Principal, Steve Oxlade explains, “When the Government asked me to take over Coulsdon College 3 years ago I wasn’t sure what to expect. What became apparent really quickly is that the College had all the foundations for greatness – wonderful resources, dedicated staff and a huge local demand for a successful sixth form. 10 months later and Ofsted gave us a glowing commendation, and we’ve just gone from strength-to-strength since then.
I always hoped that I would be able to say to a parent or student living in Coulsdon – why are you travelling all the way to Reigate when you have a great sixth form college on your doorstep? I don’t need to say that anymore – the word has got out and everyone can see it for themselves.”
