College rated one of best in country despite £6m deficit
A TYNESIDE college has been rated as one of the best in the country – despite having a £6m black hole in its finances which put education at ‘risk’.
Gateshead College has been ranked the number one college in the country in the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) league tables for the second year running.
The achievement, which has seen the college receive an overall 95% student success rate, comes at a time when it’s providing a 100% remote learning environment during the Covid-19 crisis.
Like all UK schools and colleges, Gateshead College was forced to close its doors last month and has been educating and training its students and apprentices online.
Virtual classrooms and use of online collaboration tools have become commonplace so the college can still educate students during the pandemic.
Chris Toon, deputy principal at Gateshead College, said: “During this time of unprecedented change, it’s great to hear such positive news that highlights our hard work and commitment to ensuring our students are equipped with the work ready skills they need to succeed.
“The response to the lockdown measures by teachers and students alike has been incredible. We’ve seen some exceptionally creative ways to ensure students’ learning experience remains unaffected in a time where we cannot provide face to face teaching.
“Engagement levels have remained the same with our students adapting seamlessly to virtual teaching methods, eager to learn and achieve.
“We’re preparing them for their future careers, helping them to develop resilience while instilling the right attitude and work ethic.”