THE Inspection Report on Birkenhead Sixth Form College published last week confirms the excellent reputation of the college on the Wirral, now entering its 10th year.

Inspectors visited the college between August 1996 and April 1997, and 17 inspectors spent a total of 64 days in the college and visited 132 classes. They met parents, governors, staff students and local school and community representatives.

College Principal, Roger Cracknell said: "I am immensely proud of our inspection report. Inspectors found consistently high standards across all of our work including teaching, learning and management.

"I was particularly pleased with the inspectors' comments on the contribution staff make to the college," added Mr Cracknell.

"The acid test is to ask students views and we come out very strongly here. Students are very positive about their experiences of the college.

"Inspectors were equally positive about the developments that have taken place in the college since 1993. The curriculum has expanded to give an unrivalled choice of courses, both academic and vocational, particularly for 16-19 year-olds who can choose from 35 'A' levels, 16 AS subjects, 14 GCSE subjects and five GNVQ programmes. Modular 'A' level courses have been introduced across a range of subjects."

Inspectors also found that the college's 'A' level results have improved consistently year after year, placing the college in the top third of the DFEE performance tables for all colleges in 1996. In advanced vocational courses the college was in the top 10 per cent of colleges in the DFEE tables in 1996.

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