Rochdale Sixth Form College wins at prestigious Further Education awards

Rochdale Sixth Form College

Rochdale Sixth Form College has won the sixth-form college of the year award at the 2021 Tes FE Awards, announced on Friday evening (28 May) in a virtual ceremony.

The Tes FE Awards, now in their 11 year, celebrate the outstanding aspects of the UK’s FE sector, applauding excellence and rewarding innovation.

The Tes Magazine and website is the most trusted source of education news and views in the UK. Tes runs these awards, alongside the Tes Schools Awards and the Tes Independent School Awards.

For 10 years, Rochdale Sixth Form College has provided opportunities for students from a range of backgrounds – and this year, as its staff and students dealt with the challenges of the pandemic, the college took extraordinary measures to push its impact even further.

On 23 March, as England entered lockdown, Rochdale Sixth Form became a virtual college, with a business-as-usual approach to education and mental wellbeing.

The teaching and learning strategy incorporated Microsoft Teams – with live lessons matched exactly to students’ previous timetables – and support materials on the college’s virtual learning environment, videos on ClickView and physical study packs posted to all students.

The dedication of the staff was reflected in 93.2% online student attendance and a two-year retention rate of 95.5%.

Richard Ronksley, Principal & CEO Altus Education Partnership said: “For RSFC to be awarded Sixth Form College of the Year is an incredible achievement, and due and rightful recognition for what staff and students have achieved together since the college’s opening, but particularly over the last year and a half.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the importance of our partnership with Hopwood Hall College – working together with them on the innovative ‘Rochdale Offer’, which guarantees all students in local schools a place at one of the town’s two colleges, was one of the aspects of RSFC that judges praised most highly.”

Tes head of FE Julia Belgutay said: “Further education providers have excelled in what has been a truly challenging year, and each one of the amazing individuals, teams and institutions who have won a Tes FE Award tonight are testament to that.

“Our judges were so impressed with what teachers, support staff and leaders have managed to achieve this year. The whole FE sector should be proud of these winners and I want to congratulate all of them on a brilliant achievement.”