Events

News

Outstanding Ofsted Report

Staff and students at The Sixth Form College, Solihull are celebrating an excellent Ofsted Inspection Report, in which all areas of the College received a grade of outstanding or good.

In particular, Ofsted recognised the high success rates at A Level, which are above local and regional averages. Last year, there was a 100% pass rate in 38 advanced level subjects and in all Level 2 qualifications. 479 students achieved all higher grades, of which 111 earned three of more A grades at A Level or double distinctions in advanced vocational courses. This exceptional achievement was backed up by inspectors, who made particular mention that staff at the College had a "relentless focus on student achievement".

Students at the College were part of the two-day inspection, which took place on 10th and 11th February, and inspectors were particularly impressed with what the students had to say.

John English (aged 18, from Shirley) was one of the students who spoke to the inspectors. The Chair of the Student Council, he was involved in two inspection meeting concerning student support and equality and diversity. "The inspectors wanted to know if the support offered by the College meets students’ needs and I was able to tell them how good it is here," said John. "I was also able to tell them how seriously the College takes equality and diversity. When I was considering where to go to study my A Levels, The Sixth Form College, Solihull ticked all the boxes for me and I’m very pleased I chose to come here."

The report also highlighted the great diversity of courses available at the College. There are 45 subjects to choose from at A Level, from Politics and Philosophy to Russian and Dance. There is also excellent provision for Sciences and Mathematics with the College being a Further Maths Hub for the area. With this excellent choice and pastoral support for students, which was also recognised as outstanding, it is not surprising that the inspectors declared progression to university to be excellent.

Every year more than 850 students from the College gain places at university. Among these are many who progress to some of the most prestigious universities in the country, including Oxford and Cambridge. Over the last six years, 74 students from the College have gone onto Oxbridge, with more set to follow this year.

New College Principal Paul Ashdown, himself a Cambridge University graduate, commented, "This Ofsted report is a real accolade for the education provision in Solihull. It recognises the fact that between local schools and the College, we provide an outstanding education for our young people, which matches the best available anywhere in the country."

College's Visit To China

The Sixth Form College, Solihull is committed to actively recruiting students from across the world. Our most recent trip outside of the UK was to Beijing in China in March 2008.

In association with the British Council in Beijing, the College's Head of Faculty for Business and Social Sciences, Mike Padbury (pictured right), visited the Landmark Towers Hotel to give a presentation to prospective Chinese students and their families, who wanted to learn more about studying in the UK.

The presentation was a success and all those who attended learned a lot about the British education system and the opportunities available at The Sixth Form College, Solihull.

Mike Padbury also built on links we have with a school in the city. The College enjoys a great relationship with The High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University. Mike visited the school to teach a lesson and share good practice with the teachers there.

The visit was also an excellent opportunity to catch up with old friends. One of the teachers at the school spent a year at The Sixth Form College, Solihull in 2006/07. Another teacher from the school is currently at the College for this year and we hope to continue this partnership in the future, as well as expanding it to include visits from some of our students to the High School next year.

College Principal Meets British Prime Minister

The Principal at The Sixth Form College, Solihull is Mrs Colleen Chater (pictured left). She recently spent an evening at 10 Downing Street at the invitation of the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife for a reception.

The event was held to give public recognition to outstanding leaders in education and Mrs Chater was one of the guests proposed by the Government Department for children, Schools and Families. She was representing post-16 education in the Solihull area and met the Prime Minister and ministers.

It was the third time Mrs Chater has been invited to Downing Street, the first occasion being in June 2003 and then again in April 2006.

This invitation served as proof of the increased recognition of the College’s outstanding contribution to education in the UK and being at the forefront of many developments in the country.


Events

Information about future visits to destinations outside the UK will appear here soon.

Alternatively you can visit us in the UK to find out more about the College and how you could study here. For more information contact us on +44 (0)121 704 2581 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you are visiting the UK and wish to look around the College we would be happy to accomodate you. We have Open Days on the following dates:

November 2008 (10.00am - 4.00pm) - precise date to be confirmed
January 2009 (6.00 - 8.30pm) - precise date to be confirmed
March 2009 (6.00 - 8.30pm) - precise date to be confirmed

If the dates above are unsuitable please contact us on +44 (0)121 704 2581 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will try to arrange another date for you to visit us.