What is Learning and Skills Beacon Status?

Learning and Skills Beacon status provides public recognition of the excellence and innovation which exists within the further education system. This prestigious award celebrates learning providers that deliver outstanding teaching and learning.  Excellent leadership and management is also a defining feature of all Beacons.  It is for providers funded by the Learning and Skills Council and inspected by the Office for Standards in education (OFSTED). (Taken from the Learning and Skills Beacon Status Web Site)

Oldham Sixth Form College is a comprehensive sixth form college based in Oldham, Manchester. The College caters for around 2,000 full-time 16-19 year olds and employs 140 teaching staff. Course programmes on offer include A/AS level programmes, GCSE courses and a full range of vocational education and training.

Selected Areas of Study

Oldham Sixth Form College's A/AS level programme covers 46 course subjects ranging from History, Psychology and Fine Art to Electronics, Dance and German. In 2007, Oldham Sixth Form College achieved an overall GCE A Level pass (A* -E) rate of 99%.

Oldham Sixth Form College's GCSE courses are provided for students who wish to improve their GCSE qualifications before progressing to a level 3 programme. The programme covers 6 subjects ranging from English and Maths to Media Studies.

Oldham Sixth Form College's vocational education programme covers 8 vocational areas. Courses are offered at level 2 and level 3 and range from ICT, Business and Health and Social Care to Sport.

College Mission

Oldham Sixth Form College's mission is 'to provide the highest quality education for students in Oldham and the local area so that they are equipped to the very best of their abilities to move into Higher Education or employment'.

Contact

General telephone number: 0161 287 8000
Date awarded Beacon status: April 2005
Contact: Peter Roberts - Vice Principal.

Dissemination

Government Priority: Developing specialised curriculums and excellence in delivering teaching, training and learning.

Dissemination Activity:

  • To develop a web site of compensatory material to address under-performance at GCSE level in the local area, particularly in the core subjects of Maths, English and Science. This material will be made available to learners and staff via the college web site/beacon web site.
  • To develop literature to promote level 2 to level 3 to Higher Education vocational pathways with pupils, parents, staff, to schools within Oldham, Greater Manchester and North West.

Government Priority: The effectiveness of collaborative activities in relation to 14-19 goals.

Dissemination Activity:

  • To host a series of open days for post 16 providers (schools and colleges), tailored to individual needs, focusing on widening participation strategies with 14-16 year olds, in particular, the Junior University initiative.

Government Priority: progression to HE, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dissemination Activity

  • To host a series of open days for post 16 providers (9 schools and colleges), tailored to individual needs, focusing on student support and guidance, in particular, progress monitoring and careers education and guidance for 16-19 year olds.

Selected College Strengths

  • Excellent academic support for individual students, including effective progress monitoring
  • High pass rates for GCE A-levels and Advanced Vocational courses
  • Excellent value added achievement
  • Excellent Citizenship education (the college is a post 16 Citizenship Champion)
  • Outstanding student Support and Guidance
  • Exemplary Careers Education and Guidance