BREAKING NEWS: Northampton College cancels A-Level courses days before term start

Northampton College has told parents it has cancelled all A-Level courses the day before students were to have their induction day.
Northampton College's Booth Lane campus and principal Pat Brennan-BarrettNorthampton College's Booth Lane campus and principal Pat Brennan-Barrett
Northampton College's Booth Lane campus and principal Pat Brennan-Barrett

The decision comes after GCSE students received their results last Thursday and less than two weeks before term starts on September 10.

The college will work with the 40 pupils to find them a place in other Northampton schools or offer them equivalent BTEC qualifications, which the school say will not hinder their chances of getting a university place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the introduction of the new technical qualifications in 2020, the cancellation of the courses is seen as a way of smoothing the transition.

Northampton College's Booth Lane campus and principal Pat Brennan-BarrettNorthampton College's Booth Lane campus and principal Pat Brennan-Barrett
Northampton College's Booth Lane campus and principal Pat Brennan-Barrett

The principal of Northampton College, Pat Brennan-Barrett, said: "Northampton College will be one of the first providers to offer the Government’s new technical qualifications, T Levels, and will be piloting a programme of ‘Industrial Placements’ to prepare for the change.

"As part of that transition, we have taken the decision to not continue with our current A-Level offering and will instead be focusing on ensuring students can continue their journey into higher education with BTEC diplomas – which are viewed by universities as an equivalent qualification."

The change will affect all 40 students who applied to study A-Levels at Northampton College from this September.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tomorrow's planned induction day for the pupils will now become a session to decide where they will continue their education.

"We are working closely with all students and their parents to offer an equivalent BTEC qualification here at Northampton College and we are partnering with alternative providers to offer places on A-Level courses in local sixth forms," said Mrs Brennan-Barrett.

"Current students progressing from AS-Level will continue to study their A-Levels at Northampton College.

"They will not be affected by this decision."