The Skills Funding Agency results for all further education colleges in England have confirmed that Swindon College is the best performing college in Wiltshire for the second year running, with consistently high success rates for further education courses lasting 24 weeks or longer. 

The results, which went live at the end of December, are based on data from the academic year 2009/10.  Swindon College’s overall success rates have continued to rise in 2010/11 and now currently stand at 85 per cent, the highest rate in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the West of England (including Bristol and Bath) putting the college into the top 10 per cent in the country for most levels of programme.

Andrew Miller, Principal of Swindon College, said:

“This three year trend of high success rates is a reflection of the hard work and commitment by both staff and students and underlines the real quality and choice of education available to people in Swindon and the surrounding areas.

“We’re very proud that students who come to this college not only gain high levels of achievement but also tell us that they really enjoy their time with us.

“Every year many of our students progress on to degree level study either here with us at the college or at universities across the country as well as progressing directly into relevant employment. In fact, overall, 85 per cent of our students progress on to further study or into employment which is an excellent outcome.

The College also topped the success rates table for its apprentice programmes – it has 500 apprentices on programmes including engineering, motor vehicle and construction - and for its provision to employers.

Andrew Miller added:

“We work very effectively with a wide range of local employers to develop programmes which result in our students having the best employment prospects possible in this very difficult economic climate.”

For more information about courses at Swindon College, including new A Level programmes, call 0800 731 2250, visit www.swindon-college.ac.uk or attend the College’s Open Evening on Wednesday 8th February from 5-7pm.