Sixth Form / Post16
Message from York College Principal
‘York College is proud of its special relationship with Burnholme Community College. We see ourselves as the natural progression route for Burnholme as well as our other 11-16 partner schools in York. We work increasingly closely with the school to ensure that progression to the College is as smooth as possible and every year a substantial number of students make the move successfully from Year 11 to the College.
The arguments, often marshalled by 11-18 schools, for the advantages of progressing into the sixth form at the same school are, on the face of it, persuasive. However, in my view, these advantages are more than outweighed by the strengths of separate post-16 provision especially where, as here, the links between the school and the College are well developed and effective.
What are these strengths? Firstly, the adult environment which prevails in a College where the youngest students are l6. This often allows students to re-define themselves more positively and to avoid being trapped by the perceptions of teachers who still remember them as 11 or 12 years old – and who sometimes find it hard to forget that they are not still 11 or 12 years old. Although the College environment is adult, there is a strong emphasis on structured but unobtrusive support which helps students to make decisions for themselves and to manage their own learning. By creating this half-way house between school and work or University, the College makes it easier for students to succeed in the next stage in their career.
Secondly, the range of courses on offer is much broader and more flexible than even the largest sixth form an 11-18 school could offer. The College, across its two sites, offers the broadest possible range of learning opportunities. For those wishing to study the new GCE ‘AS’ and A2’, there is a choice of nearly 40 subjects. A full range of vocational ‘A’ levels, Intermediate GNVQs and NVQs and other vocational courses completes an impressive portfolio. The timetable allows students to choose an almost infinite variety of courses specialising in an academic or vocational area or mixing the two. Thus it is possible for students to tailor their learning programme to their own individual needs and aspirations.
Having a broad range of provision is not in itself enough, of course, if that provision is not of a high quality. There is no doubt that, at York College, quality matters and our aim is to inspire all students in the pursuit of excellence. The College’s examination results are consistently good and in most areas (including AS, A2 and many vocational areas) comfortably above the national average.
There’s never been a better time to consider a College education in the City. This might help to explain why, together with Burnholme Community College, we see ourselves offering unrivalled opportunities for the young people of York.’
Mike Galloway.