Success

Ashton Sixth Form College is the highest performing college in the area. With a proven track record of success, the college has recently topped the Department for Education league tables for A-Level and Vocational performance in Tameside as well as achieving a 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating. Students this year have also achieved the highest grades ever with success seen across all courses.

Record breaking results in 2019: Student celebrate results day success

Ashton Sixth Form College has achieved another set of outstanding results from this summer’s examinations. More students than ever have secured top marks across both A level and Vocational courses with over 750 A*/A grades awarded to students˚  this year, 70% high grades (A*-B) were achieved˚  and 38 courses have 100% pass rates. In addition, an impressive 94% of all grades achieved on Level 3 courses were A*-C˚ .       
˚  figures include vocational equivalents

The college, which is positioned as the best in the area in Department for Education league tables released in January 2019, continues to achieve year on year success and this year’s set of results reflect this. 

Out of the 1672 entries, the college achieved a 98% pass rate at A Level with more A* grades achieved by students than ever before. Five students have secured places at Oxford or Cambridge Universities, one of the highest numbers of Ashton Sixth Form students to secure places at Oxbridge in the college’s history. 

Students progress to some of the most competitive and prestigious universities and higher apprenticeship schemes across the country  

Students this year, have progressed on to some of the most exciting and competitive career pathways. Six students who received offers from Oxbridge secured their places after achieving exceptional results. Many have accepted places at some of the most competitive universities across the country, while others are taking exciting routes on to higher apprenticeships.

We are the top performing college in the area for student progress (DfE, 2020)

• Top performing college in the borough for the fourth year running
• Fourth highest performing college in Greater Manchester
• Amongst the very best colleges in the North West

Ashton Sixth Form College is officially the top performing college in the borough for the fourth year running, according to the Department for Education (DfE). The college has also been recognised as the fourth highest performing college in Greater Manchester.

Ashton’s success has continued to improve year on year. The annual performance tables released by the DfE highlight the fantastic achievements of both the students and the staff. Students experience high-quality teaching, exceptional support and unparalleled opportunities throughout their college journey and as a result, they are achieving better than they would at almost every other institution in Greater Manchester. 

Principal Anton McGrath said,

"We are immensely proud to be well placed in the Department for Education’s league tables once again. In times of change, with students sitting fully linear qualifications for the first time, we have clearly demonstrated that we can support students to exceed their expectations. We are ambitious for all who come to the college; those who choose to join our community can expect fantastic teaching, tailored support and a huge variety of enrichment opportunities to help them become the best version of themselves and reach their goals." 

Table above shows the main colleges in the area. Source: DfE Performance Tables, published Jan 2020

The performance tables rank colleges based on their ‘progress score’. This measure signifies the progress a student makes from the completion of their key stage 4 studies (GCSEs and other), through to the end of their A Level qualifications. A progress score above 0 indicates that students make more progress than they would at other institutions and students at Ashton Sixth Form College have consistently achieved this for a number of years.

Over the past three years, Ashton Sixth Form College has been ranked in the top 25% of colleges nationally. In 2019, the college was shortlisted for ‘sixth form college of the year’ at the Tes FE Awards and 2019/20 is already looking to be one of the best years in the college’s history. 

Ashton Sixth Form College is constantly striving for success and the DfE performance tables demonstrate the team’s dedication to ensuring students at Ashton Sixth Form College consistently outperform others in Tameside.  

To view the Department for Education Performance Tables click here.

Ofsted rated 'Outstanding'

Following an inspection in January 2020, Ashton Sixth Form College has been given the highest possible rating by Ofsted, judging the college as OUTSTANDING in all areas:

The college is the first sixth form provider in the country to convert from Good to Outstanding under the new rigorous Ofsted inspection framework.

The college has a proven track record of success and has consistently been ranked in the top 25% of colleges nationally over the past three years. Ashton Sixth Form College had previously maintained its Ofsted Good status for over 8 years but has continued to improve year on year providing exceptional opportunities for their students.

Download the inspection report here.

Read the full report on the Ofsted website here.

We are an award winning college for college/school partnerships

We have been recognised for the outstanding partnerships that we have with schools in the borough and the exceptional support that we give to ensure smooth transition for pupils from school to college. Our recent Association of Colleges Beacon Award win acknowledges the work of the A+ Trust, set up by the college and six partner schools in Tameside to raise attainment, aspiration and achievement and has been a key model of improvement for the local area.