Newly released figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that former Bilborough College students who graduated from university last summer went on to achieve a higher proportion of first-class degrees than the average for those who had previously attended private schools.

A total of 43.4% of Bilborough College students from the most recent cohort to graduate from university achieved first class degrees compared to an average of 40.7% for the independent sector and 37% for the state sector.  Of those who went to Russell Group universities, 97.4% achieved either a first or a 2:1, compared to 94.3% for the independent sector and 92.1% for the state sector.

Of that Bilborough College cohort, 120 students came from areas with the lowest HE participation rates, who also outperformed the national averages both for first class degrees and for firsts and 2:1 degrees combined.  The entire independent sector only sent 570 students from areas with the lowest HE participation rates in total out of over 30,000 students who went to university from this sector.  This demonstrates that Bilborough College is a true engine of social mobility for the region.

Dave Shaw, Principal at Bilborough College, said: “This is a significant achievement for those Bilborough College students who go on to university.  We are extremely proud of our outstanding examination results, and in many ways these figures represent an even bigger success as they show that we have helped our students to develop the necessary independence, resilience and perseverance to succeed beyond the age of 18.  These are skills that will serve them well in the workplace and in wider aspects of their lives, as well as in exams.  We are proud that Bilborough College, which serves students from Nottingham, Derby and beyond, provides such a positive benefit to the local community.”

This latest positive news follows on from Bilborough’s recent successful bid to build a new teaching block to cope with the increase in student numbers that the college has seen over the last few years.  A new 10-classroom building housing Maths, Physics, Electronics and Esports is scheduled to open in September 2023.

For more information contact David Shaw on 0115 8515843

Notes to editors: Bilborough College is a specialist, publicly funded sixth form college located on the west side of Nottingham in a purpose-built study campus. It has approximately 1900 16-18 year old students on individual programmes of study centred around A Levels and Applied General Qualifications.  The large majority of students go to university, including many to Oxbridge and the Russell Group, where data suggests that are more likely than average to complete and achieve first class and upper second class degrees.  The remainder go into higher level Apprenticeships, employment or further training. The college is part of Better Futures Multi-Academy Trust (BFMAT) which is sponsored by Coventry University and is the only MAT to have Sixth Form Colleges and sixth form education as its focus.

A group of five Bilborough College A-level Geography students played a key role at the recent Young People’s Green Growth Assembly event at East Midlands Conference Centre, organised by the Midlands Engine. The students presented their ideas to a group of local business leaders, politicians, and experts. They found the event exciting, empowering, and challenging, and a great opportunity to make their voices heard. The students were enthused and energised by the event and even featured in a piece for the TV on the BBC East Midlands Today programme.

Simon Holland, Course Leader for Geography at Bilborough College said, “We are passionate about offering our wonderful students opportunities to go beyond the basic exam specification and prepare them for life. In Geography we have developed a wide range of such projects and links. I also think the experts, politicians and business leaders also got a crucial insight into the views and concern of young people about the future and how this can be made brighter, greener and more sustainable for all.”

Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine who organised the Assembly said, “Our region is already at the forefront of delivering world-leading low carbon innovation. The Midlands Engine Young People’s Green Growth Assembly has demonstrated the huge appetite, of our Midlands Engine partners and our region’s young people, to go even further and take steps right now to shape a greener, cleaner and better future. The discussions we’ve had here today will be essential to inform how we mobilise and deliver this plan – a vital milestone in our region’s journey to net zero.”

We are delighted to announce that Bilborough College has been successful in its bid to the government’s Post-16 capacity fund for a new £3.2 million extension to the current site to provide additional teaching and study space for students. This national fund was established to help manage the additional 260,000 16-19 year olds anticipated to be in education in the coming years. Demand to the Capacity Fund was high, and the £83 million pot was significantly over-subscribed, so it is testimony to the strength of Bilborough’s bid that the college was selected.

Since Bilborough College moved onto its current campus in 2005, student numbers have continued to increase and in the last 3 years alone, the college has grown by more than 150 students. The college is consistently over-subscribed, with students from around 90 feeder schools, and has had to establish waiting lists over the last few years to manage its numbers. Whether it is the excellent results, the exceptionally wide range of courses on offer, the nationally-recognised extra and super-curricular opportunities, or the mini-university feel of life on campus, it is clear that Bilborough College offers an aspirational opportunity for young people in our region.

The college’s Principal, David Shaw, was delighted to announce the news. “Securing this new build means that students who wish to access our excellent provision over the coming years will not be turned away due to high demand. It allows us to put in the new classrooms, specialist equipment and additional study spaces which will boost the life-chances of our local students and create more pathways to high-quality university and apprenticeship destinations. Now that the bid has been formally approved, we are moving forward with our plans to get the new build up and running as soon as possible.”

Skills minister Alex Burghart said: “Every young person should have the opportunity to gain the skills they need to reach their goals and go on to have successful careers. This investment will boost capacity so we can make sure there is a place for every 16 to 19-year-old, giving them access to the high-quality learning facilities they need to succeed.”

Notes to editors: Bilborough College is a member of Better Futures Multi Academy Trust located on the west side of Nottingham. It has approximately 1900 16-18 year old students studying either A Level programmes, BTEC Level 3 Diplomas or a combination of the two. Approximately 75% of its students go on to university – a large proportion to research-intensive universities such as the Russell Group – and the remainder into higher level Apprenticeships, employment or further training.

Students at Bilborough College are celebrating outstanding results, rewarding the huge effort they have made since the start of the pandemic. Students have had to adjust to learning by live-remote lessons during lockdowns to complete their courses while still demonstrating high levels of learning and understanding. As well as having to cope with the pressures and stresses of a pandemic, there have also been bubbles, self-isolation and Covid-testing to contend with, and the disappointment of cancelled exams – all of which have contributed to two challenging years of education.

All schools and colleges have used the Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) methodology this year to reward students for their holistic performance over a range of pieces of work. Bilborough College students achieved the highest A-level ever pass rate this year of 99.8% and the highest ever proportion of A*-C grades of 82.6%.  We also saw 100% pass rates on all our BTEC courses, rewarding the hard work and assignments completed by all our BTEC students.

David Shaw, Principal at Bilborough College, congratulated students on their results.

He said, “Along with the rest of the staff team here at Bilborough, I’m delighted that once again so many of our students have performed so well.  This is one of the most important days of the year for us and when everyone has worked so hard in such challenging circumstances, it is great to see all the effort, dedication and hard work rewarded with excellent results.  No one however should believe stories that UK students achieving grades in 2021 somehow had it easier this year than in other years.  Teacher assessed grades offer us a much more accurate and substantial reflection of what students are capable of achieving rather than the snapshot of exams where sometimes people just have a bad day.  As a consequence, overall results are up but there is no doubt that the grades achieved have been earned and there is solid evidence for them.

The college now has key staff available every day right through to the start of term for advice and guidance around results, UCAS, and next steps for students.  We wish all the best to our students for their futures at university, on apprenticeships and in the workplace and are confident they are well equipped for a bright future.”