Tristram Hunt MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, visits Rochdale Sixth Form College

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Simon Danczuk MP, Sixth Form Principal Julian Appleyard and Tristam Hunt MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education

The Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Tristram Hunt MP, paid a visit to Rochdale Sixth Form College today (Thursday 6 November) following the college's academic success and an outstanding OFSTED rating.

Rochdale Sixth Form College is one of only two sixth form colleges nationally to achieve the outstanding status from OFSTED.

Speaking to Rochdale Online about the success of the college, Mr Hunt said: “It is outstanding and it is a splendid building but that is not what it is about. It is about the people that attend and the leadership and the staff and all of the work that is put in to make this college as outstanding as it is.

"I am a supporter of sixth form colleges and think that they are a great asset to our education system.”

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, who accompanied Mr Hunt on his visit, echoed Mr Hunt’s praise of the college.

He said: “It really is outstanding and it is certainly leading the way in terms of education. The college is now nationally recognised as outstanding for improving young people’s learning success.”

Whilst at the college Mr Hunt and Mr Danczuk took a tour of the building with Principal Julian Appleyard and took part in a question and answer session with students.

When questioned regarding university tuition fees, Mr Hunt encouraged those looking at taking the next step of going to university to definitely pursue it.

He said: “I will be honest with you and say you will have to pay to go to university. That is the way it is I’m afraid. As a party we would look for a lower rate in fees but it is a great investment to make.”

When asked if students were put off from going to university because of the rise in fees, Julian Appleyard, Principal of the college said: “I don’t think so. We are seeing a 75-80% rate of our students still looking at, applying to and going to university so I still think there is a good success rate of students going on to further education.”

After his visit to the college, Mr Hunt then made a visit to Rochdale Town Centre where he called into Danczuk’s Deli to meet with local councillors.