St Helens College in top 25% Nationally for Maximising Student Potential in Sixth Form Provision

St Helens College is delighted to announce that it is now placed in the top 25% of colleges and schools across the country for maximising students’ potential at sixth form level. 

The ALPS report is the result of 25 years of careful research and development by a team of outstanding educational experts.  The aim of ALPS and the reports that they produce is to help staff in schools and colleges to enhance recruitment, retention and achievements of students studying on A levels, AS levels and BTEC National qualifications.

A 9 point grading system is used to highlight the impact a school or college has on the distance a student has travelled from their qualifications on entry, through their learning experience and the final grades that they achieve.  St Helens College achieved a grade 3 (Excellent), placing it in the top 25% of schools and colleges in the country.  This is an increase from a grade 4 (top 40%) that the College achieved in 2011 and illustrates the College’s continuous drive to improve year on year. 

This excellent news comes just after an independent student survey,  undertaken by the Higher Education Government Agency reported that the College is now placed 11^th nationally for student satisfaction (95%), 4^th nationally for assessment and 6^th nationally for academic support on our Higher Education programmes.

We are very proud of our fast growing reputation for developing students and maximising their potential and this latest ALPS report indicates that students really are fulfilling their true potential at the College.

95% Student Satisfaction at St Helens College

Students thinking about studying higher education in 2013 should consider studying on a foundation degree or honours degree at St Helens College.  For the second year running, we have received an outstanding set of results in the National Student Survey (NSS) for higher education provision.

St Helens College received 95% overall student satisfaction, the College’s highest score ever for students studying on higher education courses.  The results from the 2012 survey confirm that St Helens College is now rated the eleventh highest college or university higher education provider in Great Britain for student satisfaction.

The Teaching on My Course – 94% student satisfaction (11^th highest in Britain)
Assessment and Feedback – 90% student satisfaction (joint 4^th highest in Britain)
Academic Support – 93% student satisfaction (joint 6^th highest in Britain)
Organisation and Management – 92% student satisfaction (joint 6^th highest in Britain)
Personal Development – 93% student satisfaction (joint 10^th highest in Britain)

We continue to receive outstanding results in the NSS league table, proving that the students at College are among the happiest in the country.  The survey is undertaken by final-year students from universities and college across Britain, providing them with the opportunity to rate their satisfaction in key areas of their degree course.

The College has more than 8,300 students of which approximately 1,000 are higher education students studying towards foundation or full honours degree.  We deliver a wide range of foundation degree and honours degree programmes validated by our prestigious university partners.  Our university partners include Edge Hill University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Central Lancashire and our newest partner University of Chester.

For further information about studying higher education at St Helens College in 2013, visit www.sthelens.ac.uk

Year 11 pupils start thinking about their future

It is the start of a new academic year for the town’s year 11 pupils but they will already be thinking about their future beyond high school.  To help them make an informed decision about their future, St Helens College have organised a number of upcoming events.

St Helens College will be hosting an Independent Careers Fair on Thursday 11^th October 4pm-8pm at the Town Centre Campus.  The event is open to all young people who are making decisions about their future.  Representatives from St Helens College, local sixth form colleges, universities, training providers and the uniformed services will be there to help and advise visitors.

On Wednesday 17^th October, St Helens College is holding an open evening from 5.30pm-8.30pm at the Town Centre Campus and Technology Centre.  Year 11 pupils and their parents will have the opportunity to meet the tutors, take a tour of the new facilities and find out more about the courses available at St Helens College.  There will be interactive workshops and demonstrations throughout the evening to provide guests with a taste of student life at College.

St Helens College deliver a wide range of courses from entry level to higher education and professional studies.  We offer students a practical way to study that can take them onto university or into their dream job.  At College all students are treated as adults and will be required to take responsibility for their own study.  A new approach to pastoral care will ensure that students get the best help and support possible to achieve their goals and aspirations.

2011/12 has been a successful year for student achievement at St Helens College and we are proud to announce 100% achievement rates on all our Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma courses.  The Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma courses are equivalent to 3 A Levels and students progress onto university or into their chosen career as BTEC courses are recognised by universities and employers.

 Visit www.sthelens.ac.uk for more information about our Open Evenings and Careers event.

100% Achievement Rates at St Helens College

St Helens College are delighted to announce that it has been another excellent year of results for our students studying on the Extended Diploma courses.  This year’s overall student achievement rate for the Extended Diploma courses is 100%. 

We deliver a wide range of Extended Diplomas in various subject areas including Science, Public Services, Sport, Health and Social Care, Art and Design, Media, Performing Arts, Construction and Animal Management. 

We are delighted with the success of our students on the Extended Diploma courses and the high achievement rate is a credit to both the course tutors and the student’s performance.  It is important for people to understand that there are alternatives to studying A-levels and studying on an Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A-Levels.

Students studying on an Extended Diploma can progress onto university with three distinction star grades on the Diploma equivalent to 420 UCAS points and three distinction grades equivalent to 360 UCAS points.  Many of our students that have successfully completed a level 3 qualification at the College will progress onto higher education or gain employment as they follow their chosen career path.

St Helens College offers students a practical way to take them to university, or into their dream job.  In addition to our Extended Diploma courses, we offer a wide range of vocational course from entry level to level 3.

Further your Career with a Part Time HE Course

St Helens College has a wide range of part time higher education programmes and professional qualifications that allow students to successfully balance work and family commitments with studying. We have developed flexible part time provision to enable students to progress in their career and improve their opportunities for promotion within their organisation.

Figures show that individuals with a degree earn 85% more than those only educated to GCSE A*-C level and people with a higher education qualification earn 45% more. Over the past decade, those with degrees have earned an average of £12,000 a year more than non-graduates.  We have many part time Foundation Degree and Honours Degree programmes from Complementary Therapy and Early Years to Theatre and Performance and Criminal Justice. Our degree programmes are validated by one of the College’s prestigious university partners, this means that you can save money on travelling costs by studying at your local College, but you will still graduate with a university degree.

The College’s Higher Education programmes were recently inspected and the inspection report was excellent.  You may want to consider studying on a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) programme at St Helens College. We have HNC and HND programmes in Engineering, Science, Construction, Business and Sport.  The changes in tuition fees and funding for part time higher education can be difficult to understand and many people believe that they can no

longer afford to study on a degree programme. St Helens College is committed to providing value for money education programmes, therefore part time tuition fees for September 2012/13 programmes

start from £1,650 per year.  As a part time higher education student, the number of financial support options has increased from previous years. Part time students studying in September will be entitled to apply for a student loan. 

St Helens College is also participating in the Government’s new National Scholarship Programme (NSP). The scheme has been introduced to support students from low income households who wish to study higher education. If you are already employed, it may be worth speaking to your employer to find out if your organisation would fund your course through professional development.  For further information about part time higher education at St Helens College, including individual programme fees and financial support, please visit www.sthelens.ac.uk

Discover how learning can change your life

Sylvia Mitchell

Last week St Helens College celebrated Adult Learners Week,the UK’s largest annual festival of learning; inspiring thousands of people each year to discover how learning can change their lives.

St Helens College produces inspiring adult student success stories on a weekly basis like Thomas Bartley, a 64 year old health and social care apprentice who decided to embark on a new profession and 65 year old IT student Sylvia Mitchell, who has developed her IT skills as well as her confidence during her studies at College.

As we celebrate the success of our adult learners, a recent survey indicates that more than one-third of adults have not participated in learning since leaving full-time education.  The annual survey by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) also found that 62 per cent of adults have not participated in learning in the last three years – a five per cent decline since 2010.

Developing existing or new skills can help people secure jobs, advance their career or progress into new career opportunities.  Did you know that on average a person with a level 3 qualification earns on average £3,000 more per year than those without.  Learning can also help to keep you healthy and stimulate your mind.

The best way for you to maximise your full potential is to choose a course that you enjoy and find interesting.  St Helens College provide part time and full time courses for adults across the region.   We know from the success of our previous adult students, that when people are given the right opportunities, their lives really do change for the better.  We have taught and trained thousands of adult learners, who have progressed in their chosen career or developed new opportunities as a result of studying on a course at St Helens College.

We currently have a range of courses for adults starting in June, for more information visit our website www.sthelens.ac.uk or contact Student Services on 0800 99 66 99.

Higher Education at St Helens College

If you are thinking about studying higher education in September, have you considered staying local and studying at St Helens College? 

We have a wide range of Foundation Degrees and Honours Degrees validated by our prestigious university partners.  This means that you can save money on living and travelling costs by studying at your local College, but you will still graduate with a university degree.  Many of our degree programmes can be studied on a part time or full time basis.  We also offer a variety of HNC/D’s and professional qualifications. 

St Helens College delivers higher education programmes that will enhance your skills and knowledge and provide you with a learning experience of the highest standard.  Student satisfaction is important to us and we were pleased to announce that in 2011, we received 91% student satisfaction rates according to the National Student Survey.  This score was the highest score by any college or university in the North West of England.

The changes in tuition fees and funding for higher education can be difficult to understand and many people believe that they can no longer afford to study on a degree programme.  St Helens College is committed to providing value for money higher education programmes.  Therefore 2012/13 tuition fees for full time Foundation Degree and Honours Degree programmes will be £5,850.  First year students studying on a full time programme will also be entitled to a Programme Learning Resources Package, worth up to the value of £450.

In addition to student loans and maintenance grants, St Helens College has a number of scholarships available through the Government’s new National Scholarship Programme (NSP).  The scheme has been introduced to support students from low income households who wish to study higher education.

For more information about studying higher education at St Helens College, visit our website www.sthelens.ac.uk