Rochdale Sixth Form College number one in country for A-Levels for fourth year running

Rochdale Sixth Form College

Rochdale Sixth Form College (RSFC) has topped the Department for Education’s performance tables and been named the best sixth form college for value added performance in the country for the fourth consecutive year.

The tables released each January show that students achieve a third of a grade more per subject than the national average at the Ofsted outstanding rated college.

Julian Appleyard OBE Principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College, said: “To maintain such high standards and remain at the top of the tables is something we’re all incredibly proud of. However, what is really important, is that the performance demonstrates that we are contributing to increased life chances of our young people. That is our job and my staff don’t deflect from this.

“We want our students to have many options as possible available to them, and this progress measure shows that RSFC students indeed make exceptional progress. The 'topping the charts' bit is great validation for our students and staff, who work tremendously hard, however we will not be complacent and will continue to strive for further improvement.”

Councillor Donna Martin, cabinet member for children’s services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We are extremely proud of both the college and its students for maintaining such a fantastic level of success for so long. I’d also like to say to any of the borough’s teenagers who are studying for GCSEs in the summer: be ambitious, because this shows just how far you can go with the right support.”

The value added performance measures progress students make since starting college. The college beat 93 other sixth form colleges to achieve the impressive ranking.

In 2016, Rochdale Sixth Form College also celebrated a 99% pass rate at A-Level for the fifth year running, above the national average of 98.1%.