NEW College has been placed joint sixth out of 202 colleges across the country in league tables organised by FE Week.

The college was also placed joint first nationally for the 16-18 positive progression category.

Currently in its second year, the league table was devised by Nick Linford, former Director of Performance at Lewisham College and current Editor of FE Week.

The FE Week overall League table focuses on four categories with 10 marks available in each. The categories cover learner satisfaction, employer satisfaction, 16-18 positive progression and adults into employment.

Graham Taylor, Principal of New College Swindon said: “We are absolutely delighted to have placed joint sixth overall and reaching joint first place within the 16-18 positive progression category really is a fantastic result. We’re constantly working on initiatives to promote employability and higher education, from regular speeches and visits from industry professionals and academics, to careers guidance and subject-specific employability weeks. Offering support and guidance to our students for their future plans is a very important part of the New College experience and we are always working on improving it, so we’re very pleased we’re being recognised for this.”

New College scored 33 out of 40 overall, with 7 points for leaner satisfaction, 9 for employer satisfaction, 10 for 16-18 positive progression and 7 for the adults into employment category.

The 16-18 positive progression category measures the percentage of students going into education, employment and training destinations after completing study of Level 3 qualifications.

Graham believes the successful ranking will hopefully encourage more students to apply to New College.

“We’re really pleased with the outcome, if your customers are telling you you’re doing great, you must be doing something right.

“It is all part of the standard of excellence that we promote, we are starting to see learners travel from further afield to experience all that the College has to offer. Many of the companies that we work with for Apprenticeships are from all over the country.

“The FE Week League Table helps to underline excellence in performance, I think it is a great way to potentially put Swindon on the map as a good place to learn and work.’