SIXTH FORM – SCHOOL VERSUS COLLEGE, 5 March 2002

The discussion was chaired by Adrian Barnes, Chairman of the Education Forum.

Dr Neil Calvert,  (Head of Ursuline School) (NC) started the discussion by describing the consortium which  the Ursuline makes with Wimbledon College.  Together they have about 550 students in their 6th Forms and they share a joint timetable. They offer AS and A2 as well as GNVQ vocational courses.

NC believes that the advantage of 6th Forms within schools is that they offer continuity and progression within a familiar environment.  Research has been done which indicates that students who go on to colleges do no better in their exams than those who stay on at school.

Students do not wear uniforms although there is a dress code.  They have more freedom although there are still some rules and regulations.  Class sizes tend to be smaller than at Colleges and many of the students and their parents are attracted by the fact that the Ursuline is a faith school.

Teachers are attracted to the school because they have the opportunity to teach at all levels.

Sally McEnhill (Principal Merton College) (SmcE) was not happy with the title of the Forum because she believes that children and parents need choice and the opportunity to have whatever is best for them.  The title implied a level of competition which she believed to be inappropriate.

 40% of children leave Merton Schools with 5 A – C level GCSEs so 60% of young people need a different choice.

Choice is based upon knowledge of what is available.  There is still a social stigma about Colleges where schools are often seen as a middle class option.
Administratively, a viable student group is needed to offer subject choices.  It is necessary to work with people at all levels and to recognise their differing virtues. There should be Sixth Form and College.  Pupils should check reputation, results and drop-out figures.

Karen Bastick-Styles (Head of Rutlish School) (KBS) stated that for every pupil who loved school there would be one who hates it.

Rutlish closed its 6th  Form because it was not able to offer the necessary quality and range of subjects.

She argued that there is a lot of misinformation out there and no decision should be made until every option has been explored and taken into consideration.  She advised that students ensure that the courses they want are on offer.  They should decide what they want, single sex, mixed, church school, something completely new?  They should look at results, specialisations and the individual to see which environment they will be happiest in.
The focus is currently on the links in education between the ages of 14 and 19. People should check on the pastoral care and support structure - what happens if you do not attend for a week?

Jenny Smith Deputy Director of Education LBM, confirmed that the audience had been given excellent advice by the Panel.  She believes that young people today will have a range of careers during their life times which is different to the experiences of the majority of the older generation.  There is a Green Paper focusing on offering greater flexibility to the 14 to 19 age range such that some of their education may be undertaken in school and some in college.  Vocational GCSEs, not unlike apprenticeships will be on offer and will be on a par with GCSEs.  Colleges are available for mature access so no one need feel that it is too late.

Finally she pointed out that OFSTEDs are taking a very close look at 6th Forms in schools and Colleges to ensure more parity.  All institutions will have to offer quality and value for money.

She made the point that some Merton students go outside the Borough to 6th Forms in schools in neighbouring Boroughs which completes the range of choice open to them.

Jim who is currently a student at Merton College came from Rutlish without GCSEs.  When he joined the College it was called Phoenix and he took GCSEs there. He found there was a more laid back style of teaching and a more mature crowd of students. Phoenix became Merton College and after another period in South Thames College he is now studying for A levels and plans to go to university.  He was a strong advocate of the College and felt that staying on at school would not have been right for him.

Mr Buchi, Chair of Governors of Merton College, said that he felt there was not two systems but one system with two parts.  He talked about exporting students to other Boroughs which made Governors and School Managers aware of  the fact that everyone has choice and that they must maintain high standards to attract and keep students.  Colleges receive income from the number of students they have and the students are required to complete courses and achieve results for full funding to be made available to the College.

Mr Mills, Governor of Rutlish and Member of the UK Independence Party argued that within Merton there is actually little choice because pupils have to go outside the Borough if they wish to stay in School and do not go to the Ursuline – Wimbledon College consortium.  25% of Merton’s pupils are being educated outside the area but there is an influx into the Borough from elsewhere.
The point was made that transport availability and routes were very significant factors in the making of choices about 6th form education.

Peter Davis, Chairman of WCF, asked what percentage of the cost of education falls on the council tax payers of Merton and if we are net importers are we subsidising other Boroughs?  KBS confirmed that each student comes with their own government funding.  Council Tax contributions are small in comparison with funding from Government.

The Learning Skills Council for this area covers Merton, Richmond, Sutton, Kingston, Croydon and Bromley  and it is from here that the funding comes.
NC said that traditionally each child brings money but now there is emphasis on courses, with courses being weighted.  He feels that Merton has not funded 6th Forms to the level that they should have done, in the past.  Now students have to stay on the course and achieve for funding to be available.

Adrian Barnes closed the evening by thanking everyone for the high level of their contributions which made for a very good discussion, in particular how especially pleased the WCF was to have the students from Merton College with us.

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