3 minute read
Welcome from our interim principal
I am delighted that you are considering Bede Sixth Form College.
Bede Sixth Form continues to go from strength to strength. In summer, we were inspected by Ofsted and were graded ‘Outstanding’ in the following areas:
• Education programmes for young people • Behaviour and attitudes • Personal development • Leadership and management
I am also pleased to announce that we were successful in our bid to the Department for Education to secure funding towards a £2.4m extension to our building which will see us provide state-of-the-art facilities in health sciences, creative and business and legal subject areas. By the time you join us, our new building will be fully functional and, I am sure you will agree, it will be a fantastic addition to our campus.
I am proud to say that Bede students leave us fully prepared for their next steps. We have a three-year trend of 98% positive destinations – students leave us to go into higher education, employment or apprenticeships. These figures are significantly higher than the national benchmark for sixth form colleges, and with our culture of continuous improvement, we can guarantee you a fulfilling and enriching post-16 education. During the past year, we have continued to establish links with local employers and businesses to ensure that Bede students are provided with significant work experience opportunities. In the past year alone, our students have worked with Fujifilm, the NHS, Quorn, The Guardian, The Times, the British Army, NCS, Ithica Films and many, many more. Add to that our Aspiring Young Engineers Programme in partnership with NETA, enhanced study skills development, High Achievers Programme, Student Ambassador Leadership Programme, and so much more - it really is a fantastic time to be a student here at Bede Sixth Form College.
We continue to expand our Institute of Sport and Education (ISE) academies. We are recognised for providing outstanding support for talented sports performers, ensuring that they excel both in competition and academically, and we are a Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) Accredited College.
Most recently we received national awards from the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA), for enrichment and employability opportunities for our students and for our continued efforts to ensure Bede Sixth Form is a sustainable, environmentally friendly campus.
So, what do our students say about us? Recent surveys have strongly agreed that we are providing an outstanding student experience. We listen carefully to the views of our students. In response to student feedback we have continued to invest significantly in student learning areas, sports facilities, collaborative learning spaces, and private study areas. This, combined with our increasing portfolio of employability programmes and employer interactions, will help shape and develop your wider skills and career aspirations.
At Bede, we believe in and reward high aspirations, determination and resilience. The target grades that we will set you are designed to challenge you, and we will do everything we can to ensure that you meet your desired progression and career goals. Our, now wellestablished, ‘10am start timetable’, continues to have a significant impact on the wellbeing and the achievement of our students as well as helping to reduce our environmental impact by avoiding peak travel times. Our comprehensive wrap-around pastoral support also means you will be supported by a talented team of Personal Progression Coordinators and careers guidance professionals. We understand that the move from school to sixth form is challenging, we are well practised in easing this transition and providing you with the platform to not only excel in your studies, but to give you full confidence in moving towards your own career goals.
I am certain that we can make your time at Bede Sixth Form an inspirational, enjoyable and rewarding experience. I know how important it is to make the right choice of college and study programme. So please, take the time to visit us on our open evenings and Twilight Events, speak to our staff and students and try out the courses during ‘Preview’ in the summer; you won’t be disappointed. I wish you the best of luck with your GCSEs and I look forward to welcoming you to Bede.
