College ready to help teachers of the future

CHILDREN and Families Minister Robert Goodwill (centre right) shakes hands with Oldham Sixth From College chairman of governors Andrew Kilburn

OLDHAM Sixth Form College is to help train teachers of the future and support existing ones to become great leaders.

The college, which is rated as "good" by Ofsted, will become a Designated Teaching School from September.

Children and Families Minister Robert Goodwill made the announcement during a visit to the college to present it with a social mobility award.

OSFC won the accolade at the recent Educate North Social Awards for its work to raise the aspirations of Oldham students and make sure they get the grades need for university.

Mr Goodwill said: "Improving social mobility means raising every student's aspirations and making sure they get the best education, advice, and encouragement to achieve their full potential, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"Too many students from disadvantaged backgrounds do not enter higher education, which allows them to deepen their knowledge and give them access to rewarding careers. I congratulate OSFC for winning the Educate North Social Mobility Award, for its work to raise aspirations among secondary pupils and support progression to further and higher education, including the University of Manchester and top performing universities.

"This is why I'm delighted to announce that OSFC is becoming a Designated Teaching School, which will support teachers and educational leaders from across Oldham. It is the mission of every teacher to improve pupils' lives and outcomes, and I'm so pleased OSFC will be spearheading that mission here in Oldham."

Launched in 2011, there are now almost 700 teaching schools. Their role includes providing initial teacher training, staff development, working with struggling schools and developing future leaders.

The college is also becoming part of a multi-academy trust with Hathershaw College secondary school and OSFC principal Jayne Clarke added: "We are delighted that the Department for Education has approved our bid to become a teaching school.

"As we move forward in September to establish a multi academy trust, we are now in a strong position to work even more closely with other schools and colleges for the overall benefit of young people in Oldham and the local area."

OSFC has a strong record of helping disadvantaged students go on to higher education: 70 per cent of OSFC's disadvantaged students who left in 2015 did so compared to 36 per cent across all colleges. And 10 per cent went to a top Russell Group university, compared to an average of three per cent.

Richard Lee, the college's associate director for transition and skills, said: "Over a prolonged period of time, OSFC has dedicated itself to enhancing the life opportunities of young people in Oldham.

"We see no reason, despite challenging economic circumstances, why students from Oldham cannot achieve outcomes that will allow them to progress firstly to university and secondly to the very best universities."