Are Tertiary Colleges Still Relevant?
In the early 2000s, education minister Margaret Hodge favored separate provision for 16 to 19-year-olds, leading to large general further education (GFE) colleges opening sixth form centers and academies to avoid Ofsted’s criticisms. However, Hodge’s replacement, Alan Johnson, seems to have a greater grasp of lifelong learning, leading to a slowdown in discrete provision. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) acknowledges that GFE colleges have won the battle, at least for now. However, the results of the Strategic Area Reviews (STAR) and the local learning and skills council (LSC) reviews could change this. Some are advocating the expansion of tertiary colleges to improve the existing system.
The definition of a tertiary college is an academic establishment designed for 16 to 19-year-olds that combines the functions of further education colleges and sixth form colleges. It should offer a broad range of vocational and academic courses. Rather than operating sixth forms, a tertiary structure has individual schools sending students to a single institution that provides 16 to 19-year-old education and adult learning for the wider community.
Research conducted by the Responsive College Unit indicates that tertiary colleges have better success rates than existing providers. Students at tertiary colleges have higher achievement and retention rates than those at sixth-form and GFE colleges. They encourage young learners to progress to higher-level study while also retaining students from deprived backgrounds. A genuinely tertiary structure can improve participation rates for young people in post-compulsory learning.
The cost of small sixth forms in schools can be a concern, but according to the Adult Learning Inspectorate, almost 50% of sixth-form colleges now have more adult learners than 16 to 19-year-old students. Consortia-type arrangements are predicted as the number of students in sixth forms falls. Replacing the existing structure with a tertiary one would improve curriculum choice, retention rates, and widen access. It would also remove the conflicting funding methodologies and protection for school sixth forms.
In conclusion, tertiary colleges offer a more successful, comprehensive, and cost-effective education to students of all backgrounds and ages. They have the potential to create a more responsive and efficient education system.
