Click on the document below to read about some important information for New College Pontefract students:

Students, staff and governors are proud and delighted with this year’s exam results, which have once again exceeded the outstanding performance achieved of previous years. Our A-Level students of 2019 achieved an overall pass rate of 100%, an A*-B (high grades) rate of 60%, which is the highest in the college’s history, and an A*-C rate of 84.4%. This once again highlights the college’s reputation as a consistently outstanding sixth form provider both locally and nationally. This is matched by the equally strong performance of our Level 3 BTEC students who achieved an overall pass rate of 100% with 90% achieving a Distinction or Distinction* grade.

New College Pontefract Principal, Richard Fletcher said, “I am so proud of our students and staff who have worked so hard in partnership these past 2 years. The colleges results this year means that many of our students will now progress to some of the most prestigious universities in the uk and abroad, be employed by nationally acclaimed companies and start on high quality apprenticeships.  The look on students faces this morning when opening their results will be a memory I keep for a long time! It reminded me of why we do what we do everyday!”.

New College Pontefract is part of the New Collaborative Learning Trust (NCLT), and the Trust’s CEO, Pauline Hagen OBE said, “First and foremost, we are delighted that our young people have secured such an outstanding set of results, giving them the best possible start to life after college, whether that be in education, training or the world of work. The fact that they have performed so well reflects their hard work, commitment and resilience.

Some of our students achieved significant levels of performance, including:

Gregory Yule – Chemistry A*, Physics A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A*.

Alice Bywater – Maths A*, Further Maths A*, Physics A*, Geology A*.

Andrew Franklin – Chemistry A*, Physics A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A*.

Joshua Liddicott – Physics, A*, Computer Sience A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A*.

James Poxton – Chemistry A*, Physics A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A*.

Lucy Dyson – Biology A*, Chemistry A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A.

Grzegorz Jordanowski – Biology A*, Chemistry A*, Maths A*, Further Maths A.

Plus over 140 students achieved 3 or more Distinction* grades at BTEC.

The New Collaborative Learning Trust opened New College Doncaster in September 2017, and a third college in central Bradford is due to open this September. The trust’s vision is to provide outstanding education and to promote a culture of aspiration, excellence and enjoyment. For further details or to find out the dates of the college open events, visit www.ncpontefract.ac.uk.

Any students who have purchased a New College Pontefract Bus Pass – these will be available for collection at the LRC Info Desk starting on Monday 16 September. 

Poppleton’s will be having a ‘grace period’ to allow students time to get their passes so they can get the bus without a pass.  This only lasts until Friday 20 September.

Many Thanks

The emergency gas works currently taking place on Park Lane are due to continue into next week with temporary traffic light in place. It is advisable to drop off and collect students from Pontefract Collieries car park on Beechnut Lane.

Many Thanks

You can now view the presentation slides from the Y12 Parents’ Welcome Evening Presentation.

Applications are now open to study with us in September 2020.

You can view our Prospectus HERE.

You can access the online application form HERE.

The closing date for applications is Friday 1 March 2020. Applications will still be accepted after this date, but priority will be given to people who meet the deadline. We had a record number of applicants last year so applying early is highly recommended.

New College Pontefract’s multi-academy trust has been recognised by Wakefield Council as an exemplary model of a healthy and productive workplace.

New Collaborative Learning Trust was awarded the Wakefield Workplace Wellbeing Charter due to the trust’s success in meeting the charter’s five objectives. These include promoting a physically active and productive workforce that are able to make healthy choices in a safe and stress-free environment.

“We are delighted to achieve this recognition from Wakefield Council,” said Lauren Walker, NCLT’s Director of Human Resources. “The charter’s criteria match our own priorities in creating as productive, healthy and positive working environment as possible. It’s a pleasure to have the success of our approach confirmed by an outside source.”

The award was presented to Lauren Mutton (pictured left) from NCLT’s HR department by Tom Stannard, the council’s Corporate Director for Regeneration and Economic Growth.

Dear friends,

Many of you will be aware that I am retiring from my post as CEO of the Trust at the end of October.

I would like to take the opportunity to mark the occasion with a few words, which, of course,  will never be enough to say all that I feel.

It has been the honour of my life to serve first of all New College Pontefract, and later New Collaborative Learning Trust and to be involved in  a powerful and significant  experience which I know has changed all of us who have been privileged enough to be a part of it.

Over the last 10 years, the college has  not only overcome all  the expected challenges of funding reduction, qualification  change, changes in educational policy, new funding  regimes,a transformed educational landscape- but has taken the opportunities offered by these to innovate and do things differently and better in the interest of all our young people. In the face of unprecedented educational change, we have delivered results which continue year on year to exceed expectations; and to give our students the skills they need for life and work, the knowledge they need to succeed, and the qualities to enable them to deal with challenges and become responsible 21^st century citizens.

I am proud of what we have built. New College Pontefract is the “mothership” in a Trust with two sister colleges in Doncaster and Bradford and a new secondary about to join the family. I have been fortunate to have around me a team of gifted individuals who share a moral vision for social justice through the enabling power of education. We recognise the gifts and abilities of every one of our almost 5,000 students and value their contribution to our college communities. They are our hope for the future and every day they demonstrate that this hope is absolutely well-placed.

Our students recognise the necessity of honesty and integrity, despite some poor examples in public life. They are passionate about making their world fairer and eradicating inequality. They are global citizens with strong roots in their families and communities in Pontefract, Doncaster and Bradford. They will, through their educational experience, enrich those communities.

I leave the Trust in the safest possible hands. The incoming CEO, Richard Fletcher, has been an integral and central figure in the Trust’s development and he leads a team with a collective and profound  commitment  to the vision for excellence and social mobility which has motivated us all along the way. Our students will thrive and flourish in happy schools and colleges. I will not be part of the next chapter but I will watch with great satisfaction in a job well done.

Wishing all our colleges, and their communities the very best of luck on the next stage of the journey.

Pauline

Current New College Pontefract student, Harry Willmott, 16 from Crofton, has recently become a three-time world champion in Tae Kwon Do. After winning a silver medal in the under 18 forms category and 2x bronzes in team categories with his sister. In total, Harry achieved 2x bronzes, 1x silver and 1x gold, meaning he is now a 3x World Champion.

Speaking after the event, Harry said, “I began doing Tae Kwon Do at the age of 5, achieved black belt at 10, my second degree at 12 and third degree at 15. I initially got into the sport for practical, self-defence reasons and for something to do on a weekend. But that gradually became more days a week and once I started training for competitions that increased to 5 times a week of roughly 2 hours a day and 4-5 hours on a Saturday.

I first competed in 2012, reached the England team in 2014 and competed at my first world championships in Italy in the November of that year, achieving a silver medal in a category of 5. The following year I remained with the team and we went to Spain for the world championships and I achieved Gold in the traditional under 18s Tae Kwon do Forms category. In 2017 I replicated my efforts at the Unity World Games to win my second world title and last weekend. I did so again to win my third world title in the same category.

The sport is all about discipline and I certainly have learned that through many hours of hard work and graft on the mats. This was shown as after reaching third degree I was awarded with an induction to the martial arts show hall of fame. 

At the worlds this year, myself and others from the England team had the chance to compete against the national teams of Germany, Poland, USA, Argentina, Czech Republic and Ireland. Over the two days, although competing against one another, we all were able to swap shirts and take team photos together, which incorporates the meaning of martial arts, we all are a community.

Tom Shepherd, Head of Sport at New College Pontefract, said, “Harry has hit the ground running at New College Pontefract. Harry was fantastic as a volunteer during the October Open Saturday, involving meeting prospective new students and parents. Harry scored top marks in his first PE assessment; despite having restricted free time due to preparing for this elite competition. This shows that Harry has the discipline and drive to balance his training regime alongside his lessons and homework. An amazing achievement for Harry. Thanks also to Pontefract Squash club for allowing Harry and his specialist coach to do some 1:1 fitness sessions in the lead up to these world championships.”

Visit us on our Open Evening on Wednesday 20 November from 5pm-8pm.

Our 2019 results were record breaking with:

100% pass rate for A-Level with a college record 60% A*-B grades and 87% A*-C.

100% pass rate for BTEC with an incredible 92% achieving Distinction or Distinction*.

Come and see why we consistently achieve these outstanding results and see why we are one of the top 5 sixth form colleges in the country for student achievement!

Speak to students and staff from all our departments, hear the Principal’s presentations, explore our wide range of A-Levels and Applied General qualifications including Level 3 BTECs, find out about our extensive enrichment programme and independent learning culture, see our fantastic modern campus, see our expanded social spaces, meet our support teams including Progress Tutors and Study Support, take part in classroom activities, grab a drink including Starbucks coffee, plus much more!

Arrive early as on-site parking is limited. The college is only moments away from Pontefract Park and Pontefract Tanshelf train station and we have an overspill car park at Pontefract Collieries football ground:

New College
Park Lane
Pontefract
WF8 4QR

We look forward to welcoming everyone!

Don’t forget to follow us on social media @ncpontefract

New College Pontefract recently hosted a hustings for candidates to become Pontefract’s next MP. Participants joined in a question and answer session with students, followed by a debate on current political affairs. Taking place in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) on Friday 29^th November, representatives of all the major parties standing in the election were invited to the event, hosted by Robbie MacPherson of the charity Hope for the Future.

Attendees included Yvette Cooper MP from the Labour Party, Tom Gordon from the Liberal Democrats and Archie Craven from the Yorkshire Party, along with a large number of New College students.

Some of the students are studying Geography, and earlier on in the day they had attended a climate change workshop. As a result, the initial part of the husting focused on climate change issues, giving student a great opportunity to discuss this issue with local politicians, pressing them on what steps their parties were taking to tackle the issue.  

New College teacher Claire Smith, organiser of the event, said: “It could not be more relevant, as we near towards the tipping point for climate change.”

As well as the focus on the environment, questions were also raised on Brexit, the economy, youth services, austerity and how candidates plan on convincing the electorate to vote for them. Students felt more informed about this election than any previous.

“Today’s climate change husting has given students an excellent platform to share their views”, said Claire Smith. “We were very proud of our students today!’

Visit us on our Open Evening on Thursday 6 February from 5pm-7pm.
Our results of 2019 saw us achieve record breaking high grades! Come and see why we consistently achieve these outstanding results and see why we are one of the top 5 sixth form colleges in the country for student achievement!

Speak to students and staff from all our departments, hear the Principal’s presentations, explore our wide range of A-Levels and Applied General courses, find out about our extensive enrichment programme and independent learning culture, see our fantastic modern campus, see our expanded social spaces, meet our support teams including Progress Tutors and Study Support, take part in classroom activities, grab a drink including Starbucks coffee, plus much more!

There will be no Principal’s presentation at this event. Instead, the senior leadership team will be on-hand throughout the evening to speak to you personally.

Arrive early as on-site parking is limited. Attendants will be on hand to guide you. The college is only moments away from Pontefract Park and Pontefract Tanshelf train station:

New College
Park Lane
Pontefract
WF8 4QR

We look forward to welcoming everyone!
Don’t forget to follow us on social media @ncpontefract
You can also apply to study with us at ncpontefract.ac.uk/apply

New College Pontefract’s debating society held its annual debating competition this week with a lively event during which four teams competed to claim the winner’s trophy.

The event involved teams presenting opening and closing speeches in favour or against a proposal, whilst also taking questions from the audience of staff and students. The topics covered included the UK’s relationship with the EU, the meaning of Christmas, whether religion was a force for good, and whether medical marijuana should be legalised in the UK. 

“The students brought passion, enthusiasm and a forensic analysis of the arguments,” said David Brighton, the event organiser. “The judges were deeply impressed by the perspicacity and eloquence on display, skills which are as applicable to the world of work as they are to academic discipline.”

Students will have another opportunity to compete later in the year when they take on their peers from New College Bradford and New College Doncaster, the other sixth form colleges in the New Collaborative Learning Trust. 

Event organiser David Brighton ponders during the debate

New College student Max Clayton

With the deadline for UCAS applications recently closing, one of our Year 13 students, Max Clayton, has been inspired to apply for engineering courses at university as a result of taking part in a national initiative.

The ‘Fast Trackers’ project, led by Network Rail and Mott Macdonald, ran from March to July 2019. Max was invited to take part in the scheme New College’s involvement in Go Higher West Yorkshire’s National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP).

Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) is a partnership of higher education providers, based primarily at The University of Leeds. GHWY’s National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) aims to support young people in making informed decisions about higher education.

By connecting them to higher education providers and industry professionals, the Fast Trackers scheme gave young people an insight into university-level study, careers, and helped them to develop employability skills.

“I’d never thought about what kind of career my interest in physics could lead to,” commented Max.

“Through Fast Trackers, I visited universities and met engineers, students and academics. Learning about their professional journeys and day-to-day lives helped me to realise that I want to get into engineering.”

The project – part of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) which has now been rebranded as Uni Connect, and which is funded by the Office for Students – tests key skills such as problem-solving.

Max, for example, worked on an exercise using data to plan a solution to the real world problem of what happens to infrastructure and wildlife when train routes are changed.

“I have now applied to mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering courses to keep my options open while still pursuing my favourite subjects,” said Max.

“I feel good knowing that I am clearer on my future and have chosen a pathway that is right for me.”

“It was a great project to be part of. I hope there are more opportunities like this for other young people like me to get all the information they need to make the right decision for them.”

New College Pontefract has been recognised for its outstanding careers work this week, having been awarded the Quality in Careers Standard by Prospects, a national body responsible for assessing careers work in schools and colleges.  The Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and colleges who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after college.

An outstanding sixth form college, New College is committed to improving opportunities for all its students. Recognising the importance of preparing students for their future careers the college began working towards the national Quality in Careers Standard last year.

Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard shows the senior leadership team at New College Pontefract promote quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the college and its students. The college offers a range of activities to introduce students to the world of work and help them make decisions about life after college, including work experience placements, talks from employers and apprenticeship providers, work place visits, and talks from universities and other HE and FE providers.

Jeff Finnigan, Manager for Resources, Careers and Data Protection at New College Pontefract, said: “We are thrilled to have achieved the Quality in Careers Standard. This award is a recognition of the commitment and hard work that our staff put in to support students. We have a very strong and varied careers programme that supports students to develop their knowledge, skills and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success. Teaching staff and Progress Tutors in particular play an important role in supporting students to develop themselves so that they are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, or training.”

Vicky Marks, Acting Principal at New College, said: “Everyone working at New College knows how important it is to maximise our young people’s life chances by helping them access high quality employment, apprenticeships or university courses once they leave us. We are delighted the important work Jeff, the careers team, Progress Tutors and teaching staff do on this issue has been recognised by Prospects, once again setting New College apart as one of the best in the country.”

There is a statutory duty on all schools and colleges to ‘secure independent careers guidance’ for all students in schools and in post-16 education. The government recommends that all schools and colleges should be required to work towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.

Enrichment trips and visits are designed to support both learning and the personal development of students. Providing opportunities to explore a subject in greater depth, beyond the curriculum or within a particular setting, it helps prepare students for their next steps in education or employment.  Therefore, the sport department of New College are organising a ski trip to Italy next year for students.

New College Pontefract students will have the chance to visit Italy as part of a college skiing trip in 2021. Taking place from 13th-20th February next year, students will fly from London or Edinburgh to Italy, then transfer to the ski resort of Folgarida. The trip will cost a total of £1220, with the deadline for final payment to be made by 2nd November 2020.

A letter detailing more information can be downloaded HERE.

Shortlist announced 10 January 2020

The most outstanding individuals and institutions that the FE sector has to offer have been recognised in the shortlist for the 2020 Tes FE Awards.

It’s been revealed that New College Pontefract has again been shortlisted for the Sixth Form College of the Year award, after also being nominated in 2015.

Tes FE editor Stephen Exley said: “Excellent practice exists right across the further education sector, and those shortlisted for the Tes FE Awards are the cream of the crop. Our judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of entries. To be shortlisted is an extraordinary achievement.”

New College Acting Principal, Vicky Marks, said: “I am delighted that the achievements of New College Pontefract have been recognised by the Tes. Five years ago we were shortlisted for this award, and in that time we have continued to improve outcomes whilst remaining inclusive and growing our numbers – this could be our year to win! The nomination is a ringing endorsement of the incredible body of staff that make New College the vibrant and successful place to learn that it is, and on behalf of all the students that thrive as a result of their support, I would like to thank them.”

The winners will be revealed at a gala awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Friday 20 March 2020. To see the full list of who is in the running, visit tesfeawards.co.uk

A New College student’s hard work has paid dividend as he has been accepted into two prestigious musical conservatoires. Will Bird, who is in his final year of studying A-Level and BTECs at New College Pontefract, has received offers from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire of Music.

Will applied for both of the conservatoires using the UCAS application system which allows application for up to five institutions. He also made sure to submit his application early as he said ‘it’s important to begin the application process early as the deadline is earlier than most (in October). College helped me meet this early deadline by starting the application process before the summer break’. Will also added studying at a conservatoire offers ‘some really great opportunities’ to work with ‘highly established musicians in the industry and having high quality tutors’.

It’s a great achievement for Will to be accepted into two conservatoires, and one of his teachers, Michelle Colvill, said ‘not only is he a superb trumpet player, but a highly skilled pianist and bass player. He truly deserves these places at the Royal Northern College of Music and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Music department are very proud of his success’.

Whilst Coronavirus is highly prevalent in the news, the number of cases in the UK remains low and the risks remain very small for the vast majority of the public. Students and parents do not need to be concerned.

The current advice states that individuals who have recently travelled to the following areas should self-isolate and ring 111 for further medical advice:

•         Iran

•         specific lockdown areas in northern Italy as designated by the Government of Italy

•         ‘special care zones’ in South Korea as designated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea

•         Hubei province (returned in the past 14 days)

ALL OTHER TRAVELLERS DO NOT NEED TO ACT UNLESS THEY EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS. The only other restriction to be aware of is as follows:

Anybody who has recently visited the following areas should self-isolate and ring 111 if they begin to show symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19):

•         Northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini)

•         Vietnam

•         Cambodia

•         Laos

•         Myanmar

In cases where staff or students have self-isolated they should then contact college to provide an update about the medical advice received, so that an assessment can be made as to when it is appropriate to return to college.

Possible symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are as follows:

•             Fever

•             Cough

•             Shortness of breath / breathing difficulties

Due to the changing nature of the situation please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public for the most up to date information published by the government.  We will continue to review the advice provided by Public Health England and will update as necessary. Any parents or students with concerns about their health should contact 111.

The New Collaborative Learning Trust, the multi-academy Trust that runs New College Pontefract, New College Doncaster and New College Bradford, has been ranked number 29 in the National Centre for Diversity’s Top 100 Index. This index ranks the top institutions in the country for equality and diversity.

The National Centre for Diversity is a campaigning organisation that seeks to advance equality, diversity and inclusion across a wide range of public, private and third sector organisations. Its annual top 100 is designed to throw a spotlight on best practice. The New Collaborative Learning Trust’s track-record of success in the list illustrates the trust’s long-term commitment to issues around inclusion and diversity.

“We are delighted to once again be placed in the top 30 institutions of the National Centre for Diversity’s Top 100 Index,” said Lauren Walker, Director of Human Resources for New Collaborative Learning Trust. “Our continued success demonstrates our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion for all, and recognises the hard work of our staff and students in creating such a positive environment of fairness and mutual respect.”

You can see the full Top 100 Index and 2020 Award winners on the NCfD website at: https://nationalcentrefordiversity.com/2020-ncfd-grand-awards-home/