Department for Education data puts college at the ‘top of the class’

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) is delighted to announce its exceptional performance in the Department for Education’s (DfE) latest performance data for the 2023/4 academic year.

Demonstrating significant success in both points per entry and progress measures, NSCG has solidified its position as a leading further education provider both in Staffordshire and nationally.

Key Highlights:

Sector Leading Grade Performance in A Levels and Applied General (BTEC) Qualifications:

NSCG students have continued to achieve impressive results in both A Level and BTEC qualifications, as follows:

– Average grade for A Levels, B-

– Average point score* for A Levels, 37.15

– Average grade for Applied General Qualifications, Distinction-

– Average point score* for Applied General Qualifications, 31.88

Emphasis on Student Progress:

With a clear commitment to ensuring that all students make significant progress during their time at the College, NSCG offers individually designed study programmes, supported by excellent enrichment and pastoral support. This is reflected in learners making ‘above average’ progress on both academic and vocational programmes:

– A Level Progress Score** rated ‘Above Average’ at 0.09

– Applied General Qualification Progress Score** rated ‘Above Average’ at 0.16

The data underpins the achievements of NSCGs ‘Class of 2024’, where:

· 1,364 A Level entries were made, with an overall pass rate of 99.3%.

· 85% of A Level entries achieved A* – C grades, compared to the national rate of 76%

· 61% of A Level entries achieved high grades A*-B

· 1,117 BTEC Extended Diploma entries were made, with a pass rate of 99%.

· 74% of Vocational (BTEC) entries achieved high grades DMM or above (equivalent to A* – B at A Level)

· Over 1,167 learners progressed from NSCG to 98 different universities across the UK including, the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, King’s College London, University of Bristol, University of Durham, Lancaster University, University of Warwick, Keele University, University of Staffordshire and more.

Craig Hodgson, Principal and Chief Executive of NSCG, said, “I am incredibly proud of our students’ achievements and the dedication of our staff in supporting our learners to thrive. The recently published data speaks volumes for the quality of the courses we offer at NSCG, and our ethos of being truly committed to excellence. We are particularly pleased to see learners excelling on both academic and vocational pathways and to see that we are performing so strongly in comparison to not only local schools and colleges, but also some of the very best colleges in the country.

Continued Craig: We have a talented and dedicated staff team who work tirelessly to deliver the very best outcomes for learners whatever their starting point, so I would like to take a moment to recognise the pivotal part they play in delivering this performance.”

The Department for Education performance data follows the College’s latest Ofsted inspection report, published in November 2023, which once again rated NSCG as Outstanding across all areas of provision. Ofsted commented: ‘Since the previous inspection, leaders have strengthened the development of skills in their curriculum and improved outcomes for learners. With clarity and passion, they set high expectations for staff and learners. They provide high-quality education through which most learners and apprentices move on to their aspirational next steps. Learners and apprentices do exceptionally well.”