Prior Pursglove and Stockton Sixth Form College
Prior Pursglove College
Ofsted rating: 2
The campus of Prior Pursglove College has delivered educational provision since 1561. The site has benefitted from multi-million pound investment in recent years with extensive developments to student services and student social facilities, as well as the building of a £1.5m dedicated arts and media centre and provision of outstanding science laboratories and study areas.
Prior offers a wide range of courses to suit students of all levels and abilities. The majority of its 1,000 students take Level 3 programmes with subjects offered at A-level and BTEC. Many of the programmes are centred on meeting regional skills needs in areas such as STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), health and social care, creative technologies, business and accounting.
The college plays a key role in shaping local and regional policies on economic development. As such, Prior offers Foundation Learning and Pathways programmes at Level 1 and 2 for 16-18 year olds, around 60% of whom are recruited from the NEET (not in education, employment or training) cohort. It also offers traineeships and apprenticeships, supporting the government’s wider agenda of skills development and employability for young people. The college also runs part-time adult provision for around 400 19+ students each year.
Prior is renowned for its academic quality and the achievements of its students. In 2016, the college celebrated an A Level pass rate of over 98% as well as achieving a record number of A* grades, putting the college in a good position to progress towards ‘Outstanding’ during the next few years.
Stockton Sixth Form College
Ofsted rating: 2
Stockton Sixth Form College has built a strong reputation for academic achievement over many years and, as the only specialist sixth form college in Stockton-on-Tees, has over 40 years’ experience delivering A-level, BTEC and GCSE qualifications to students aged 16-19 from across the region.
The college has a diverse and friendly environment with over 600 full time students. Over £6m has been invested in recent years to transform students’ teaching, learning and social spaces, including the provision of state-of-the-art Science laboratories, a modern Art studio, vibrant Learning Link centre and contemporary dining and common room areas. Most recently the college installed a state-of-the-art 3G pitch facility, in partnership with Stockton Town Football Club.
It is the college’s focus on developing all-round individuals that enables students to successfully secure their next step. The college offers a prestigious high flyers programme which includes a unique scholarship opportunity for those who achieve a place to study at Oxbridge.
The college has a strong partnership with Stockton Borough Council and recently extended its work to offer short courses at Level 1 and Level 2 which enable young people across the borough to gain additional qualifications and boost employability.
Stockton Sixth Form College has grown in recent years, increasing student enrolments against the backdrop of a significant demographic dip. 97% of students would recommend SSFC as a place of study and the college is held in high regard locally by a wide range of stakeholders.