Further education colleges across Wales are today pledging their commitment to ensure that every school leaver can progress in their learning this September and are urging them to visit their local college to access advice, guidance and support for the next stage of their learning.
Following a testing week for AS and A level students, with a number receiving grades below that which they had expected, further education institutions have come together to offer their support to students ahead of GCSE Results Day.
ColegauCymru Chair and Chief Executive of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Dafydd Evans, said
“We’re keen to reassure learners receiving their GCSE results this week that they have the option of a place in college. We commit to taking on board the professional viewpoint and recommendations of schoolteachers as we support and guide those who may not receive the results they had hoped for.”
In practical terms, this means that colleges will be flexible and fair in their admissions process, offering enhanced enrolment and initial assessment processes to ensure that students are placed on the most suitable course, and one that takes their choices into account as far as possible.
With a broad offering, further education colleges are ideally placed to be able to meet a wide range of learner needs. Colleges will be using all the information young people bring with them about their prior learning to help inform our admissions procedures. Irrespective of GCSE outcomes, FE colleges will provide all learners with the appropriate level of support to aid them to study for academic or vocational qualifications.
ColegauCymru Chief Executive Iestyn Davies said,
“The further education sector will, as always, respond to individuals’ needs, supporting learners and their families at what has been and continues to be an incredibly difficult and uncertain time. We will continue to work closely with WJEC, Qualifications Wales and government colleagues to resolve the issues of the last week, our colleges are on hand and are committed to putting the needs of learners at the forefront of our efforts.”
