Strong achievement rate data positions NSCG as the region’s leading further education provider

Newly published data from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has shown Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has maintained its position as the highest performing College in Staffordshire and one of the top performing post-merger institutions in England.

The results were highlighted in the latest National Achievement Rate tables, published on Thursday 28 March 2019, and are based on the 2017-2018 academic year. Achievement rates are a measure of how many students completed and passed the course they studied.

NSCG’s overall achievement rate during the last academic year increased to 89.3%, placing the Group in the top spot in Staffordshire and South Cheshire and in the top 15% of Colleges nationally. In addition, retention rates across all areas score higher than all local competitors, reflective of the Group reputation for providing outstanding academic and pastoral support throughout the student journey.

Full time courses for young people aged 16-18 account for over three quarters of the College’s total delivery and achievement rates for the 7,800 learners in this category stand at an impressive 88.7%, firmly cementing NSCG’s position as one of the top performing colleges for young people in the Midlands, in the top 10% of General Further Education (GFE) Colleges in England and for the second year running, the leading merged college nationally.

NSCG’s apprenticeship performance continues to go from strength to strength with the achievement rate in this area climbing to 80.1%, more than 11% above the national average, again placing NSCG as the leading College provider in Staffordshire and South Cheshire and in the top 10% of GFE Colleges nationally.

NSCG boasts a wide and varied range of Apprenticeship, A Level and vocational courses covering a vast array of subject areas, from Business and Science through to Engineering and Performing Arts. In 2018, A Level and vocational results exceeded the national average and NSCG sent more students to university in than any other college in Staffordshire^.

Karen Dobson, Principal and Chief Executive of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, said: “I am pleased, once again, to see high outcomes for our learners, I believe they speak volumes for the quality of the courses we offer at NSCG and our ethos of being truly ‘committed to excellence’. Across both campuses, 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 extend my personal thanks to everyone who has contributed to these fantastic results.”

Prospective students wishing to find out more about studying at NSCG are invited to attend forthcoming open events, taking place as follows:

Saturday 15 June, between 10am – 12 noon (Stafford Campus)

Saturday 22 June, between 10am – 12 noon (Newcastle Campus)