IfL flags the merits of FE for successful GCSE learners

Tuesday 24 August 2010

The Institute for Learning (IfL), the independent professional body for teachers and trainers throughout the further education and skills sector, has welcomed this year's GCSE pass rate of 69.1 per cent at grades A* to C, which represents an increase for the 23rd year in a row.

IfL’s deputy chief executive, Lee Davies, said, “It is fabulous to see so many young people celebrating their GCSE results today. We would like to offer our congratulations to them and to the talented teachers and support staff whose dedication creates the right environment for successful learning.

"The media focus will be on schools, but we must remember the many thousands of young people and adults who study GCSEs in further education colleges, adult and community learning providers, in the workplace and many other settings. From those looking to improve on their initial school qualifications through those who are retired and are studying for the pure thrill of learning, there will be many wonderful stories and examples of the way further education transforms lives.

"The vast majority of those receiving their results today will be delighted with their achievements and can now decide what they do next. For some, there will be disappointment and concern about the options that are open to them. Further education, be it full-time college study or an apprenticeship in the workplace, will be the next step for thousands of young people and IfL’s members have a key role to play in the decisions young people make, the courses they enrol on and the vocational or academic qualifications they choose to study. For teachers and trainers, there are new lives to transform and more dreams to help become reality: this is the real reward of working in further education.

"When deciding what to do next, young people would do well to look back on last week’s A-level results and the Association of College’s demonstration that further education adds real value to academic study – last year, the average point score for sixth-form colleges was 800.1, compared to 761 for maintained school sixth forms. Where further education comes into its own, however, is in the provision of high-quality vocational qualifications and in preparing the next generation of engineers, chefs, carpenters, technicians, accountants, designers and journalists, etc. So well done to all those celebrating your GCSE successes today; IfL’s members look forward to welcoming you into the world of further education and helping you realise your career dreams.”