OEUnfair article is refuted (From Stroud News and Journal)

OEUnfair article is refuted

STROUD College bosses have hit back at claims that it had the second worst A level results of all teaching centres in the country last year.

The college featured in the bottom ten institutions in a league table in The Sun newspaper on Thursday, April 3.

Under the heading 'Duff colleges let down our kids' the article criticised sixth form colleges across the country after a nationwide league table said nine out of the 10 worst institutions were further education centres.

Pupils who attend colleges get a raw deal and are outperformed by students who stay at school for their A levels according to the article.

But Stroud College spokesman Peter Haines said the labelling was unfair and he said such tables failed to take into account the nature of the college.

The centre has 12,500 students but only 22 A level candidates, he said, and those tend to be adults returning to education after some time away.

"The A level students here are all adults trying their very best to have a go at something they didn't do at school," he said.

"We offer these adults a chance in line with the Government's widening participation and access to education agenda.

"The Government is asking colleges to make education available to everyone.

"Stroud College is there for anyone who wants to learn."

Mr Haines added that the college had only just started concentrating on an A level programme.

The average point score per candidate at Stroud College last year was 57.7.

An A scores 120 points, a B scores 100 and so on down to 40 points for an E.