our RESULTS 2021

We are immensely proud of every single one of our students. They approached the challenges of the pandemic with fortitude and have been rewarded with an excellent set of results and qualifications that reflect their commitment and determination.

RSFC’s pass rate was an outstanding 99.2%, with 58% of students achieving the highest grades (A*B). Consequently, around 80% of RSFC students are progressing to higher education institutions, including some of the most prestigious universities in the UK. One of our alumni is attending Stanford University in the USA, one of the best universities in the world! Students who completed science and mathematics A levels are progressing to a wide range of courses and employment within this sector, including medicine, dentistry, engineering and computer science.

Many of our students not progressing to university secured highquality apprenticeships or employment in a wide range of fields. These include finance, legal, engineering, the pharmaceutical sector, and working with firms such as Kennedy’s Law, Ernst and Young, the Royal Air Force, Northern Rail and Jaguar Land Rover.

These achievements are something to be celebrated, and a clear testament to the unceasing hard work and commitment of our students and staff.

around 80% of students are progressing to higher education institutions

RSFC Excel in 2020/21

This academic year has seen RSFC excel despite the challenges of the pandemic. We have remained committed to providing not only an outstanding learning environment but first and foremost a community in which we can come together to support each other to achieve our goals.

RSFC continues to be at the forefront of sixth form education, as these highlights show:

In May 2021 RSFC won Sixth-form college of the year at the Tes FE Awards 2021. Lead judge Bill Watkin said: “Rochdale Sixth Form College has demonstrated, this year, the power of collaboration and the effect of a relentless focus on standards...It has worked with schools and colleges across the Rochdale community to raise standards, and support young people and their families, showing true system leadership and system partnership.”

Online learning: RSFC was highlighted as a beacon of success by the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, for its online provision: initially switching all students to a normal timetable online; then a ‘hybrid’ model to ensure students were in college as much as possible within a safe environment before a full return for students in a safe and supportive environment. Following a validation of our Ofsted selfassessment report, which involved external stakeholders, RSFC was rated Outstanding for overall effectiveness, and in all four key judgements. This was a fitting testimony to the outstanding work and commitment of everyone connected with the college – the staff, students, parents, carers, employers and the local authority.

The ‘Rochdale offer’: RSFC continues to work collaboratively with Hopwood Hall College to guarantee a place at one of the colleges for all year 11 leavers.

In May 2021, RSFC was awarded the Sixth Form College Association ‘Covid Above and Beyond’ award for our response to the pandemic.

In March 2021, we received the Investors in People we invest in people, silver accreditation. Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “Silver accreditation on we invest in people is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places Rochdale Sixth Form College in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”