Birkenhead Sixth Form College is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Student Leadership Team for the 2026/27 academic year.

Following the recent Student Ambassador application process, students were invited to take part in a competitive selection process to determine the College’s student leadership team. As part of the process, candidates delivered presentations to a panel, showcasing their personalities, leadership qualities, ideas for the College and commitment to supporting the student community.

After an impressive series of presentations, we are delighted to announce that Sophia and Josh have been appointed as the College’s new Head Students, supported by Deputy Head Students Eva and Danah.

The Student Leadership team plays a vital role in representing the College at key events and working closely with staff to enhance the student experience. They will also support the wider Student Ambassador team, helping to promote a positive and inclusive College community.

The positions provide students with valuable opportunities to develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills, while gaining experience that will support future university, apprenticeship and career applications. Through their roles, students build confidence, develop professional skills and make a meaningful contribution to College life.

As one of the top three sixth form colleges in the country, Birkenhead Sixth Form College is committed to providing students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. The Student Leadership Team is a key part of this commitment, ensuring students have an active role in shaping the College experience and supporting its continued success.

We congratulate Sophia, Josh, Eva and Danah on their appointments and wish them the best of luck in their new roles.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is delighted to announce the appointment of a new team of Student Ambassadors for the upcoming academic year — a prestigious opportunity that recognises students who demonstrate dedication, ambition and a commitment to making a positive impact within the College community.

Each year, a select group of students are chosen to take on the role of Ambassador, acting as representatives of the College’s values, vision and community. These students are not only role models for their peers but also play an integral role in shaping student life at Birkenhead Sixth Form College.

This year, the College has introduced a new structure to the programme, with ambassadors specialising in different areas of College life. Students will take on roles as Digital Marketing Ambassadors, Events Ambassadors, and Fundraising and Enrichment Ambassadors, allowing them to gain targeted experience linked to specific career pathways and interests. From creating content for social, to supporting College events and leading fundraising initiatives, students will develop industry-relevant skills that reflect real-world professional environments.

The Student Ambassador programme is a cornerstone of the College’s extensive extra-curricular offering. It provides students with real-world leadership experience, enhancing vital skills such as public speaking, event coordination, team collaboration, and communication. From representing the College at open evenings and events to setting an example to their younger peers, ambassadors are given opportunities to lead with integrity and purpose. As part of this, they engage in reflective practice and goal-setting, helping them to grow both personally and professionally.

In addition to leadership opportunities, the ambassador experience is a valuable addition to university applications and CVs. It helps students stand out in a competitive world, demonstrating a commitment to community engagement and a proactive approach to personal growth.

The Student Ambassador initiative is just one example of how Birkenhead Sixth Form College nurtures well-rounded individuals. With a wide-ranging Supra and Extra-curricular programmes, from our popular High Performers Programme, to clubs and sports, students are encouraged to explore their interests and unlock their potential.

The College extends its congratulations to the newly appointed ambassadors and looks forward to seeing them thrive in their roles.

Alan, Head of Art at Birkenhead Sixth Form College is embarking on an extraordinary endurance challenge to raise funds and awareness for Maggie’s Wirral.

Alan has set himself the goal of running 1,000 miles in 100 days, covering 10 miles every single day. His challenge is inspired by a powerful statistic that deeply resonated with him.

After watching a television programme highlighting cancer in the UK, Alan learned that approximately 1,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every day in England. While figures like this are often heard, he was struck by how difficult it is to truly grasp the scale behind the number.

Determined to make that statistic more tangible, Alan is choosing to run 1,000 miles in 100 days, each mile representing one of the individuals diagnosed every day.

The challenge began on 2nd April and will culminate on the final day of term, marking a significant and symbolic finish to what promises to be an incredible journey of resilience, determination and community support.

Speaking about his motivation, Alan explained that numbers alone can sometimes feel distant, but this challenge is about bringing awareness to the real people behind them. Through his efforts, he hopes to encourage reflection, conversation, and support for those affected by cancer.

Alan is raising funds for Maggie’s Wirral, a charity that provides vital support for people living with cancer, as well as their families and friends. Maggie’s Centres, located alongside NHS hospitals, offer welcoming spaces where individuals can access practical advice, emotional support and a sense of community during incredibly difficult times.

In the spirit of community, Alan is also inviting students, staff and the wider College community to get involved by joining him for parts of his journey, whether running or walking, to help raise funds and show support.

Those wishing to support Alan’s challenge and donate to Maggie’s Wirral can do so here.

This remarkable challenge not only highlights Alan’s dedication and resilience, but also reflects the College’s commitment to supporting meaningful causes and coming together to make a difference.

Students at College are being empowered to aim high and explore their futures through an ambitious and wide-ranging Careers Guidance Programme designed to inform, support and inspire every step of their journey.

At the heart of the programme is a commitment to ensuring students feel confident, prepared and excited about life beyond College—whether that leads to higher education, apprenticeships or the world of work. Through a carefully structured calendar of events and opportunities, students are given direct access to universities, employers and industry professionals, helping to bring their aspirations to life.

Throughout the year, students engage in a rich variety of experiences. From Higher Education Week and University visits to specialist events such as the Law Fair, Healthcare Fair, Psychology Fair and Care Services Fair, learners are able to explore a wide range of career pathways in meaningful and practical ways.

Programmes such as the four-week Law Visiting Speaker series, featuring a Magistrate, Judge, Solicitor and Barrister, provide invaluable real-world insight, allowing students to deepen their understanding of professional sectors and develop the skills needed for future success. Meanwhile, initiatives including the Healthcare Professionals Programme, NHS Cadets and Pathways Speaker events connect students directly with experts working in their chosen fields.

A key part of the College’s offer is its ambitious High Performers Programme, an enhanced and tailored support programme designed to help academically able students realise their full potential and successfully progress to the most competitive university courses and career pathways. These pathways include Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary (MDV), STEM, Russell Group universities, the Arts and degree apprenticeships.

Through this programme, students benefit from enrichment opportunities including visits to leading institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford and Lancaster, alongside expert-led talks and preparation for competitive applications. As part of the Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary (MDV) pathway, students also take part in a Mock Medical MMI.

The MMI, widely used for UK medical school entry, typically involves 8–10 short interview stations designed to assess a range of key skills. To replicate this experience, the College welcomed a panel of medical professionals, including professors of medical ethics, General Medical Council members and experienced GPs.

Visiting interviewers praised the enthusiasm, maturity and professionalism shown by students, highlighting the strength of their preparation and ambition.

Events such as Futures Day bring everything together, with over 70 organisations, universities and employers joining the College to support first year students as they begin thinking about life beyond College.

From industry-specific career talks to higher education guidance, the event encourages students to reflect on their goals, explore their options and take informed next steps towards their future careers. Talks from leading professionals, including experts in environmental science from Welsh Mountain Zoo and journalists from ITV News, offer a behind-the-scenes look at real-world careers, helping students to better envision their own futures.

This comprehensive approach is underpinned by expert Careers Advisors who provide personalised, impartial guidance, ensuring every student receives the support they need to make confident decisions.

The impact of this work is clear. In 2025, Birkenhead Sixth Form College students achieved unprecedented success in their A Level, BTEC and T Level results, surpassing the previous year’s outstanding performance and cementing the College’s position among the top three sixth form colleges in the country.

These achievements are opening doors to some of the UK’s most competitive universities, prestigious apprenticeships and high-quality employment opportunities. An impressive 51% of students achieved the highest A Level grades, securing places on courses including medicine, law and psychology at leading institutions, while 538 students progressed to their first choice university.

The College’s Careers Guidance Programme is aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks and has been recognised with the prestigious Quality in Careers Standard Award, reflecting its commitment to excellence. The programme continues to evolve, ensuring students are equipped with the skills, knowledge and ambition to succeed.

Through its dynamic and forward-thinking careers provision, College is not just preparing students for their next step, it is opening doors to a future full of possibility.

You can watch thisto find out more about our Careers Programme and the opportunities available to students at the College:

Students at the College took an exciting step towards their future this week as they immersed themselves in a dynamic Business, STEM & Apprenticeship fair, designed to inspire ambition and open doors to a world of opportunity.

The event brought together an exceptional mix of universities and leading employers, giving students the chance to engage directly with those shaping the industries of tomorrow. Representatives from institutions including Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Staffordshire, BIMM Institute and the University of Liverpool were joined by major organisations such as RSM, Merseyside Police and Mott MacDonald.

Throughout the afternoon, students explored a wide range of progression routes, from degree courses to competitive apprenticeship pathways, gaining valuable insight into what their futures could look like. Conversations with professionals working in fields such as engineering, finance, policing and the creative industries helped bring career aspirations to life, offering a clearer sense of direction and purpose.

More than just an event, the fair created a space for curiosity, confidence and ambition to grow. Students were encouraged to ask questions, challenge their thinking and imagine themselves in roles they may not have previously considered.

As part of the College’s ongoing commitment to careers education and enrichment, experiences like this play a vital role in empowering students to make informed choices about their next steps. By connecting education with industry, the College continues to ensure that every student is supported to aim high, explore widely and step forward with confidence into their future.

Higher Education week at College provided students with an inspiring and informative programme designed to support their next steps beyond College and help them explore future career pathways.

As part of the College’s wider careers programme, the four-day event brought together a diverse range of universities and specialist providers, including Russell Group institutions such as the University of York, the University of Sheffield and the University of Liverpool, offering students valuable insight into university life, courses and progression routes into a wide variety of professions.

Throughout the week, students attended expert-led talks that helped them understand how their subject choices can lead to specific careers. Whether aspiring to work in the creative industries, law, business or beyond, students were able to engage with universities and organisations aligned to their ambitions. Those interested in the arts connected with institutions such as LIPA and LMA, while students considering careers in law gained insight through discussions with the University of Law.

Lunchtime drop-in sessions created further opportunities for students to have meaningful one-to-one conversations, ask detailed questions and explore the pathways available to them. This personalised approach allowed students to make clearer connections between higher education and their long-term career goals.

The event empowered students to think ambitiously about their futures, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to take the next steps towards their chosen professions.

Jack Millington, organiser of HE Week and tutor at the College, said: “This HE week was by far and away the most complex version of the event we’ve ever had at BSFC! The students had plenty to interact with ranging from HE Talks from a range of universities, to the Scholarship talks where students could engage with a speaker and chat about bursary information and support.

Jack continued: “The Lunchtime drop-in sessions gave the students an opportunity to ask more course related questions, with so much on offer it was great for everyone to engage with their futures! It was also a great success for our A1 cohort as more students attended the events than ever before, demonstrating a clear engagement with Higher Education. Next year’s event planning is already underway!”

Higher Education week is a key part of the College’s commitment to delivering a high-quality careers programme, ensuring every student is supported in making informed, aspirational choices and is fully prepared to progress into higher education and their future career.

This week marked the conclusion of our four-week Law Visiting Speaker Programme, giving students a valuable opportunity to explore the legal profession beyond the classroom.

The programme brought together a range of experienced professionals, including a Magistrate, Judge, Solicitor and Barrister, offering students a comprehensive insight into how the justice system operates in practice. Through a series of engaging sessions, students heard first-hand accounts of legal careers, gaining a deeper understanding of the varied roles within the profession.

Each speaker shared their personal career journey, provided an overview of their day-to-day responsibilities and offered practical advice on pathways into law. These real-world perspectives helped bring classroom learning to life and supported students in considering their own future career options.

The inclusion of both a magistrate and a judge allowed students to explore how decisions are made within the courts, while sessions led by a solicitor and barrister highlighted the distinct roles involved in preparing and presenting cases. Together, the programme offered a well-rounded view of how legal professionals work collaboratively within the justice system.

Assistant Principal and Head of Law, Jen Ludwig, said: “The Visiting Speaker Programme has definitely inspired our students and gave them the confidence to chase their dreams. Seeing a former student who was in their shoes not long ago, as well as hearing the successes achieved from the speakers who have come from similar backgrounds, has made a career in Law much more possible. I'm excited to see where the future of our next generation of Legal Eagles takes them.”

The success of the programme reflects the College’s commitment to providing enriching opportunities that enhance students’ academic experience and prepare them for future careers.

Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram paid a special visit to College this week, where he spoke to members of the debate club about his life, career, and vision for the future of Liverpool.

During the session, Mayor Rotheram shared insights into his journey into politics, reflecting on his experiences and the challenges he has faced along the way. Students were given a unique opportunity to hear first-hand what it takes to work in public service and represent a major city region.

A key focus of the discussion was the future of Liverpool, particularly plans to enhance transport across the region. Mayor Rotheram spoke about ongoing and upcoming developments aimed at making travel more accessible, efficient, and sustainable for residents.

The visit was highly interactive, with students asking a wide range of thoughtful questions. Topics included political decision-making, local issues, and advice for young people interested in pursuing careers in politics. Mayor Rotheram engaged openly with each question, encouraging students to stay informed and involved in their communities.

Members of the debate club described the visit as both inspiring and informative, providing valuable insight into real-world politics beyond the classroom.

The event highlighted the importance of student engagement with local leaders and offered a memorable experience for everyone involved, while also showcasing College’s well-developed extra-curricular and careers programmes.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is an Ofsted Outstanding provider, with exceptional results placing it among the top three sixth form colleges in the country. With a vibrant community of over 1,600 students, the College attracts learners from schools across the Wirral and the wider region who are looking for an ambitious, high-performing and supportive next step.

For many students, the decision to make the switch is influenced by the welcoming atmosphere experienced at College open events. Charlotte explained how attending an open evening helped her decide. She said:

“I made the switch to Birkenhead Sixth Form College because when I went to the open evenings, I found the environment to be very welcoming and it seemed to be the College for me.”

Feeling comfortable and supported from the very first visit is a common theme among students who choose Birkenhead Sixth Form College.

Milly, who studies Psychology, Health & Social Care and Textiles, highlighted the College’s wide subject offer as a key factor in her decision. With no subject option blocks, students are free to choose any combination of courses. She said she made the switch because of

“the range of different subjects, and everyone was really nice at the open evening, so you do just want to come here.”

This flexibility, combined with a friendly and inclusive community, helped Milly feel confident about starting the next stage of her education.

Isabella, who studies Fine Art, Psychology and Sociology, also emphasised the importance of the learning environment. She explained that she preferred the atmosphere at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, adding:

“Having come from a grammar school, Birkenhead Sixth Form College feels like a more university-like environment.”

These student experiences reflect why young people from across the Wirral are choosing to make the switch to Birkenhead Sixth Form College – drawn by its welcoming community, broad subject choice and positive, aspirational learning environment.

Book your place at our upcoming Open Evening on Wednesday 28 January: https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/openevenings

Over the course of the last 12 months, the College community has come together with incredible generosity and enthusiasm to support the Wirral branch of Maggie’s, raising an impressive £2,036 for the charity.

A variety of fundraising events have taken place, including International Women’s Day, an Easter raffle, Halloween Fest, and the much-loved Christmas Carnival. The Carnival proved to be a standout moment, raising over £1,100 alone for Maggie’s and showcasing the strong sense of community spirit across the College.

One of the highlights of the Christmas Carnival was the ice bucket challenge, which drew plenty of cheers and laughter from students and staff. In a brave show of support, Deputy Principal Rob took the plunge after successfully raising the required funds, helping to boost donations for the charity.

Maggie’s provides vital support for people living with cancer, as well as their families and friends. The charity offers free expert care, emotional support, and practical advice through its network of welcoming centres across the UK, helping people navigate the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.

These fundraising efforts are just one example of the many enrichment activities the College runs throughout the year, encouraging students and staff to support meaningful causes while strengthening our sense of community. We are incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to making a real difference for Maggie’s in 2025.

The College stage was transformed into the bright lights of New York as students delivered a spectacular production, A Night on Broadway, across two unforgettable evenings on 15 and 16 December.

The show celebrated the very best of musical theatre, showcasing a rich variety of styles, stories and performances. Audiences were captivated by powerful dramatic scenes from & Juliet, Little Shop of Horrors and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, with students demonstrating emotional depth, confidence and impressive stage presence.

Stylish, high-energy choreography inspired by Chicago added a slick, professional feel to the production, while show-stopping musical numbers from Grease had the audience clapping along and cheering from their seats. Each section of the performance highlighted the versatility and talent of the cast, blending drama, dance and song into a polished and engaging programme.

The show was directed by Head of Drama, Sian Murray, with Head of Dance Emma Potter choreographing the frequent dance pieces that brought energy and precision to the stage. Head of Music Alec Hulton also conducted the live band, who delivered an outstanding performance of well-known songs including Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now.

Sian Murray, Head of Drama at the College stated,

“As Head of Drama and college production this is one of my favourite events on the calendar! I'm proud of every student involved, what a ridiculously talented bunch.

We had students who don’t study Drama or Dance at A level but still got on stage with full Mean Girls confidence, Grease energy, and serious Everybody’s Talking About Jamie bravery. At 17, it takes real guts to perform in front of an audience and they all absolutely smashed it. 

Rehearsals were full of laughs, real conversations, time away from phones, new friendships forming and core memories being formed. This is what college productions are all about!”

Students should be extremely proud of a performance that was both thoughtful and thought-provoking. It was inspiring to witness the creativity and performativity that our students have to offer, and the production stood as a testament to their commitment and talent. We are already very much looking forward to the next College production.

The production was a true celebration of creativity, teamwork and dedication, and proved to be a fitting finale to the term and a memorable experience for all who attended.

College students aspiring to study medicine were given a valuable taste of the real medical school admissions process last week as the College hosted its annual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) mock event. The MMI is the most widely used interview format for medical school entry in the UK, typically consisting of 8–10 short stations, each lasting around five minutes and led by a different interviewer. Candidates rotate through scenarios designed to test a wide range of skills essential for a future in medicine.

To replicate this experience as authentically as possible, the College welcomed an impressive panel of guests from the local medical community. These included professors of medical ethics, members of the General Medical Council Board, and experienced GPs with decades of service. Many visiting interviewers commented on the enthusiasm, maturity and professionalism shown by the students throughout the day.

The mock MMI forms part of the Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary (MDV) Science pathway within the College’s High Performers Programme, an ambitious and highly tailored support programme designed to help students succeed and progress to the most competitive universities and degree courses. The programme offers targeted preparation, expert guidance and enrichment opportunities to ensure students are fully equipped for demanding application processes. To find out more about our supra curricular programmes, click here.

During the mock MMI, students were assessed across key areas commonly examined in real medical school interviews. These included roleplay and communication skills, motivation for studying medicine, ethical reasoning and decision-making, knowledge and insight into the NHS, teamwork, and a range of personal attributes vital for a successful medical career.

The College plans to continue strengthening its links with medical professionals in the community, recognising the immense value these partnerships bring to students at this crucial stage in their academic journeys.

The College was brimming with festive spirit as students and staff came together for a joyful Christmas Carnival, celebrating community, creativity and generosity in the lead-up to the Christmas holidays.

The carnival featured a fantastic range of activities, including a high-energy Santa Dash, Christmas crafts, board games, a festive Breakout challenge, a cosy Christmas film screening, a lively debate asking “Is Santa real?”, a fun-filled Christmas quiz, and a competitive spelling bee.

Alongside these activities, the College was transformed into a winter wonderland with hot chocolate stalls and cake stalls, where staff and students baked and sold delicious festive treats. Craft stalls showcased handmade items such as crochet candy canes, stockings and festive friendship bracelets, all made by students from Crochet Club and Taylor Swift Society.

The carnival atmosphere continued with traditional carnival games, a crowd-favourite rodeo reindeer, an igloo photobooth, and even a very special visit from real reindeer Cupid and Comet, much to the delight of the College community.

One of the standout moments of the day was the Ice Bucket Challenge, where four brave members of staff volunteered to be ice-bucketed in support of Maggie’s. The member of staff who raised the funds, and therefore took the plunge, was Deputy Principal Rob, adding to the fun and festive atmosphere of the day.

The entire day was held in aid of Maggie’s, with the College Christmas Carnival raising over £1,100 for the charity.

Festive celebrations continued throughout the week as the College community enjoyed the annual Christmas dinner and took part in the Christmas door decorating competition. This year’s competition was won by the LAB staff, whose entry, “The Christmas Positivity Tree”, impressed judges with its thoughtful messages of positivity and festive joy written by students, a wonderful way to spread Christmas cheer across the College.

The Christmas Carnival is just one of the many events the College runs throughout the year to enrich student life, offering opportunities beyond the classroom to build community, develop creativity and enjoy shared experiences.

With generosity, creativity and community spirit at its heart, the College’s Christmas celebrations were a fitting and memorable way to mark the festive season.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College was transformed into a haunted haven last week as students and staff celebrated Halloween in style, all while raising £123.80 for Maggie’s.

From a fang-tastic cake sale and glow-in-the-dark sports to a spooky Kahoot quiz, themed lunch in 8SQ, and even a haunted escape room, the College was buzzing with eerie energy throughout the day. Staff and students went all out with their costumes, with appearances from The Grinch, Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, Frankenstein’s Bride, and many more creative characters wandering the corridors.

The winners of our spooky contests were:

Best Student Costume: Winner – Evie, who designed and made her costume herself!
Runner-up – Bonnie

Best Staff Costume: Winner – Mark, who impressed as Beetlejuice
Runner-up – Jennine

Kahoot Quiz Winner: Rylee

The event was one of the many student enrichment activities run throughout the year at the College, providing opportunities for fun and creativity alongside academic life.

It was a day full of laughter, scares, and community spirit. A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated, and helped make Halloween Fest a frightfully good success!

Birkenhead Sixth Form College and the BePART Educational Trust have been shortlisted for a series of prestigious accolades at the Educate Awards and Education Today Awards 2025, recognising outstanding leadership, innovation and inspiration in the education sector.

Principal Mike Kilbride MBE has been named as a finalist for Headteacher of the Year, celebrating his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to students and staff. Mike has led the Trust to remarkable success, combining academic excellence with a strong commitment to inclusion, opportunity and the belief that every young person can achieve more than they ever thought possible.

The College itself has also been recognised with nominations for Most Inspirational Sixth Form College and the Careers and Enterprise Award, while the BePART Educational Trust has been shortlisted for Most Inspirational Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and Outstanding Multi Academy Trust. Together, these shortlists reflect the College and Trust’s shared ethos of inspiring young people, delivering exceptional education, and ensuring every student is equipped for success beyond the classroom.

This national recognition comes in a year of outstanding success for Birkenhead Sixth Form College students, with 84% securing their first-choice university place, and 30% progressing to Russell Group and Sutton Trust universities. These achievements reflect the College’s continued commitment to academic excellence, high aspirations and ensuring that every student can access the very best opportunities for their future.

We’re incredibly proud to be recognised by both Education Today Awards and Educate Awards, and we’re looking forward to celebrating this achievement.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College A level Media students attended a fascinating talk with local comedy writer, Mike Haskins, recently. The comedy guru explained what it was like to collaborate with some of the top names in British media and entertainment, from Griff Rhys Jones to Simon Pegg.

The students were entertained by anecdotes and clips of comedy classics such as Smith and Jones and Hale and Pace, with Mike explaining how he goes about writing hilarious jokes and sketches.

Mike’s 25 years’ experience of penning scripts for great British performers includes working with Steve Coogan, David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Martin Freeman, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Amanda Holden, Hugh Dennis, Paul Merton and many others.

A Level Students discovered what a writing career was really like, as Haskins enlightened them on how he develops comedy shows, documentaries, quiz programmes and even, Griff Rhys-Jones’s one-man live shows and tours. Mike explored the enthralling history of writing for broadcasting, offering insight into a career in the creative freelance world. 

Mike has authored over 60 published books, most recently Beatles’ Liverpool, a guide to Beatle associated sites across Liverpool and Merseyside.

Julie Edwards, teacher of Media at the College, states:  “The students particularly loved hearing about Mike’s knowledge of The Beatles. Many them share a great love of popular music and the talk enabled them to deepen their understanding of popular culture”.

Six students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College proudly represented the College at the National Finals of the European Youth Parliament (EYP), held at Liverpool Hope University’s Hope Park Campus from 28^th to 31^st August 2025.

The four day event brought together some of the brightest young minds from schools and colleges across the UK, all of whom had succeeded in their regional competitions. For the fourth year running, Birkenhead Sixth Form College secured its place at the prestigious National Finals, a reflection of the College’s consistent excellence and ambition.

Students immersed themselves in a challenging and rewarding programme, working in international-style committees with peers from across the country. They took part in team-building activities, drafted resolutions, and delivered speeches in the General Assembly, debating issues of real global importance such as immigration, the gender pay gap, post-Brexit Britain, human rights protections within the EU, and homelessness.

Beyond the debates, the event was a transformative experience. Students strengthened their confidence, resilience, and leadership skills, while also gaining a taste of university life. Evenings were filled with energy and camaraderie, with a quiz night and the Euro Concert talent show celebrating the creativity and spirit of the participants.

Among the successes, Birkenhead Sixth Form College student Charlie was chosen as one of just 21 participants, out of 140, to attend an international EYP session in Cork, Republic of Ireland, in July 2026. Charlie’s achievement follows a proud tradition at the College, for the last four years, Politics students at the College have been selected for international sessions across Europe, from Romania and Belgium to Germany and, most recently, Finland, where former Head Student Sam represented the UK this summer.

Jane Cavanagh, the College’s Politics teacher, praised the students, saying:
"I am delighted that Charlie was selected for the International session in Ireland but I am equally proud of the rest of the team and the way they rose to the challenge of debating such complex and important issues. Their passion, confidence, and commitment were truly inspiring. Opportunities like this don’t just develop academic skills, they give our young people the belief that they can shape the future."

These achievements highlight not only the students’ talent and dedication, but also the College’s mission to create life changing opportunities that broaden horizons and inspire young people to see themselves as leaders on both national and international stages.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is celebrating a landmark achievement, with over 950 new students enrolled this September – meaning the College is now fully subscribed for entry in 2025.

This follows the College’s exceptional A Level results this summer, which were described as ‘beyond remarkable’ and have once again confirmed Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s standing as one of the top three sixth form colleges in the country.

Principal Mike Kilbride MBE said:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome over 950 new students to our College community this year. Being fully subscribed is a clear sign of the trust that families place in us and the outstanding success of our students. I regret, however, that we are now having to turn away students for whom we would be the best choice, but the site is physically full.”

He added:

“We have previously discussed this with the Local Authority, but they have not been prepared to work with us to find a solution that would allow us to offer places to all the students who want to take advantage of what we have to offer. Our ‘beyond remarkable’ A Level results showed the incredible achievements that young people can reach when given the right support, challenge, and opportunities. Being recognised as one of the top three sixth form colleges nationally is not just a badge of honour, but a responsibility we take seriously – to continue raising aspirations and delivering excellence for every single student.”

The College continues to grow its reputation for excellence, attracting students from across the region thanks to its unique combination of high academic standards, dedicated teaching staff, and an inclusive community that supports every learner to achieve their potential.

This year’s record-breaking enrolment and the fact that the College is now fully subscribed demonstrate the strong demand for places at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, cementing its position as the College of choice for ambitious students seeking success at A Level and beyond.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College students have achieved unprecedented success in this year’s A Level, BTEC, and T Level results – surpassing last year’s outstanding performance and cementing the College’s position among the top three sixth form colleges in the country.

The achievements are opening doors to some of the UK’s most competitive universities, prestigious apprenticeships, and high-quality employment opportunities. 51% of students have achieved the highest A Level grades, with offers secured for courses including medicine, law, and psychology at leading institutions. Overall, 538 students secured a place at their first choice university.

Principal Mike Kilbride said:

“Last year our results were described by independent analysts as remarkable. That we have not just repeated that level of performance but bettered it shows that what others define as remarkable is simply what we do; our normal now seems to have gone beyond remarkable.

Our fantastic results are not a surprise – they are the consequence of rigorous processes deployed by expert staff in a College where we believe that everything matters. I would like to congratulate the students — they have been a great cohort, they have earned their outcomes and should take a little time to now celebrate their achievements.”

He also paid tribute to the dedication of the College’s staff:

“I must also pay enormous tribute to the College staff, all of them teachers and support staff, who create the environment and ethos that allow our students to succeed. What we do each year is not easy — it requires consistent hard work against extremely high standards. The staff who deliver against this deserve the utmost respect and admiration.

It might be a failing of mine, but I do find it difficult to dwell on success. I am already thinking of the next few years and all the exciting developments we have in the pipeline. Birkenhead Sixth Form College is certainly the place to be in the coming years.”

Among the outstanding achievers was Kaitlin, who credited the support of her teachers and the resources provided by the MDV (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary) Programme for helping her prepare for the stages of her medicine application, including interviews.

Scott achieved A*, A*, A at A Level and has secured a place at the University of Oxford to study English Literature and Language. His mum, Jane, said:

“I am really pleased and impressed with the support that Scott has received from Birkenhead Sixth Form College. His teachers have been excellent and it has been great that he has made a close network of friends at the College to support him as well.”

While celebrating this year’s record-breaking results, the College is already looking to the future with exciting developments ahead. With outcomes that go beyond remarkable, Birkenhead Sixth Form College continues to set the benchmark for sixth form education in the UK.

The 2025/26 BSFC Ambassador Team started their journey with energy and enthusiasm during a team building workshop led by a visiting comedy group. Held at College, the session offered the new team a fun and dynamic introduction to their year ahead, blending laughter with leadership in an engaging afternoon of activities.

Liverpool’s The Comedy Trust, known for their interactive workshops that use improvisation and humour to develop creativity, confidence and communication skills, guided the Ambassadors through a series of creative exercises. These activities were carefully designed to strengthen collaboration, enhance creative thinking, and develop leadership potential.

Students were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones as they took part in improvisation games and group challenges. The room was filled with laughter, but beneath the fun was a clear focus on teamwork and building a strong sense of community among the group.

The Student Ambassador programme is just one of the many leadership opportunities available at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, where students are encouraged to grow beyond the classroom. As part of the College’s wider extra-curricular offer, the Ambassador team plays a key role in promoting student voice, building confidence, and developing real-world skills that will benefit them long after their time at College.

This workshop provided a valuable opportunity for our Ambassadors to get to know one another and break the ice in a fun, supportive environment. With a strong foundation of teamwork, creativity, and collaboration, the Ambassador team are now ready to step into their roles this September, welcoming new students, leading tours, supporting College events, and mentoring their peers.

Students and staff from Birkenhead Sixth Form College enjoyed a memorable visit to New York City as part of the College’s annual July trip.

The trip began with a day of travelling before the group headed straight into the heart of Manhattan, exploring the dazzling lights of Times Square before heading up to the top of the Empire State Building, where they took in sweeping views of the New York skyline.

Day two started on a more reflective note with a visit to the 9/11 Memorial. The experience left a deep impression on many students. Afterward, the group explored DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), one of Brooklyn’s most scenic neighbourhoods, and enjoyed lunch at the bustling Time Out Market. The day continued with a walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, before the evening offered two options: some students attended a thrilling New York Yankees baseball game, while others had the chance to see top Broadway shows, including Hamilton, Wicked, and Chicago.

Day three gave students a more relaxed morning, with a few opting to take on a 5k run around Central Park. The group then came together to visit the Central Park Zoo, where a snow leopard was among the highlights. In the afternoon, they boarded the Staten Island Ferry, offering great views of the Statue of Liberty, before heading to Coney Island to round off the day.

On day four, the trip concluded with visits to The Edge, a dramatic glass observation deck offering panoramic views, and made one last visit to Times Square. Before heading home, students enjoyed a fun and lively meal at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, known for its singing waitstaff and Broadway-style atmosphere, a fitting end to an unforgettable trip.

The annual New York trip continues to be a standout tradition for Birkenhead Sixth Form College, offering students not just a trip abroad, but a chance to make lasting memories and broaden their horizons.

Seventeen enthusiastic Politics students embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Washington, D.C. The trip, centred around U.S. politics, offered a rich mix of historical learning, cultural discovery, and classic American experiences, leaving students with unforgettable memories and a deeper understanding of American democracy.

The itinerary was packed from start to finish, with highlights that brought political theory to life. Students toured the U.S. Capitol Building, home to Congress, and visited the National Archives to view America’s most treasured documents: the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence. They also stood outside the iconic White House, connecting their classroom studies to the very heart of American political power. Another major highlight was a poignant visit to Ford’s Theatre, the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, offering students a deep reflection on one of America’s most pivotal historical moments.

One of the most atmospheric experiences came on a night-time bus tour of D.C.'s historic monuments. Students visited the Lincoln Memorial, famously known as the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and a memorable scene in the film Forrest Gump.

Beyond politics, the group embraced the American lifestyle. Some students cheered on the Boston Red Sox vs. Washington Nationals in a lively baseball game, while others enjoyed a shopping trip. Food also played a starring role, from breakfast pancakes and waffles in classic diners to lunch at Raising Cane’s and dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, the group sampled a variety of classic American dishes.

The trip wrapped up with a visit to the scenic Georgetown district, where students enjoyed a final shopping spree. Before heading home, they gathered on the infamous steps featured in the horror classic The Exorcist, a unique photo opportunity that blended film history with D.C.’s eclectic charm.

The visit reflects Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s strong commitment to providing enriching extracurricular opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Trips like this not only enhance subject knowledge but also help students grow in confidence, cultural awareness, and independence. These are key values supported throughout the College’s wider enrichment programme.

The Washington D.C. trip was widely regarded as a valuable and rewarding experience. Students gained valuable insights into American politics, from visiting historic landmarks to experiencing everyday American culture, the College Politics trip to Washington D.C. combined learning with real-world exploration.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College hosted its annual Futures Day, bringing together over 70 organisations, universities, and employers to support first year students as they begin thinking about life beyond college.

The day was packed with opportunities, insights and inspiration. From industry-specific career talks to higher education advice, Futures Day served as a springboard for students to explore the wide range of paths available to them. Talks from leading professionals, including experts in environmental science from Welsh Mountain Zoo and journalists from ITV News, offered students a behind the scenes look at real world careers, helping them envision their own futures.

In addition to the talks, the event featured a Higher Education Fair with top universities from across the UK, including University of Sheffield, Lancaster University, the University of Manchester, and the University of Chester, to name a few. Students also took part in an engaging Careers Kahoot Quiz.

A key moment of the event was the student awards ceremony, where four students were recognised for best representing the College’s core values of Positivity, Ambition, Resilience, and Thoughtfulness. Staff nominated: Marcel for Be Positive, Will for Be Ambitious, Katie for Be Resilient, Emmanuella for Be Thoughtful. These awards highlighted the importance of character and attitude, celebrating students who represent the spirit of College values.

A street food lunch and ice-cream added to the celebratory spirit of the day, giving students a chance to relax, socialise, and reflect on everything they’d learned. With a variety of delicious options on offer, from gourmet burgers and loaded fries to fresh wraps and vegetarian delights, the vibrant food stalls created a festival-like atmosphere.

Futures Day is just one part of the College’s comprehensive Careers Programme. At Birkenhead Sixth Form College, preparing students for their next steps is a central part of the College ethos. The careers programme is designed to ensure that all students receive high quality advice tailored to their aspirations.

The impact of Futures Day was clear, as students left with a stronger sense of direction, new connections, and renewed motivation. As it marked their final day of the academic year, the event offered a meaningful and memorable conclusion, a chance to celebrate achievements, reflect on progress, and look ahead to the exciting possibilities their futures hold.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College final year students celebrated the end of their studies in unforgettable style last night at the highly anticipated Prom 2025.

The evening began with glamorous red carpet arrivals, as students dressed to impress and posed for photos to mark the special occasion. The event was filled with excitement, laughter, and plenty of sparkle, setting the tone for an incredible night.

A highlight of the evening was a standout live saxophone performance, which added a unique and vibrant energy to the celebrations. The dancefloor remained packed throughout the night, thanks to a lively DJ set that had students on their feet and singing along to their favourite tracks.

Another popular feature of the evening was the selfie pod, where students captured joyful memories with friends in creative and fun snaps: keepsakes they’ll treasure long after their time at college.

From start to finish, the Prom was a huge success, celebrating the achievements, friendships, and journeys of the Class of 2025 in spectacular fashion.

Congratulations to all our final year students! The prom was a fantastic way to celebrate all the hard work and achievements from the past two years at College.

Former students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College returned to their roots to share their career journeys and inspire current learners to aim high after College.

Among the alumni was Jack Sibeon, now working at international infrastructure giant AECOM, who spoke to students about his role in estate management, where he oversees and coordinates property portfolios. Jack highlighted the wide range of opportunities within the field and encouraged students to consider careers that blend technical skill with strategic thinking.

Cam Woolley, a former A level media student, returned to discuss his pathway into digital marketing, where he is now thriving as a degree apprentice at Knauf Insulation. Cam gave students insight into how creative skills can be applied in the real world and offered practical advice about gaining experience and staying curious in a fast-moving industry.

For those interested in healthcare, social care or education, Jack Fitzpatrick delivered a powerful talk on inclusion in the workplace. His session sparked thoughtful discussions about equality, representation, and the role young professionals can play in creating inclusive environments.

Rounding off the alumni panel was Kate Wells, now part of the Civil Service’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Kate shared exciting news of her first overseas posting to Serbia, offering a glimpse into life in the diplomatic service and the global possibilities that a career in government can offer.

The event left many students feeling motivated and excited about their future paths, proving once again that from Birkenhead Sixth Form College, there are no limits to where students can go.

Exploring Pathways in Computing, Games, and Music Production

As part of their end of year work related experience days, Year 1 BTEC IT students recently had the opportunity to take part in two exciting university visits designed to support their progression into higher education and digital careers.

Across two days, students engaged in hands-on workshops, university-level taster sessions, and insightful campus tours to help them explore potential pathways beyond College.

Edge Hill University: Computing Taster Day

22 students experienced a Computing Taster Day at Edge Hill where they could choose between two themed workshops: Games Development or Cyber Security.

In the Games Development session, students used Unity to prototype a small 3D game, giving them valuable insight into the technical and creative aspects of game creation.

In the Cyber Security session, students worked with simulation tools to explore how to detect and prevent network attacks — an essential skill in today’s digitally connected world.

The day also included a campus tour to explore the university’s modern facilities and vibrant student spaces, a lecture on applying for computing-related courses, including key tips on navigating the UCAS process, and a Q&A session with current students, offering advice on how to choose the right course and university.

SAE Institute Liverpool – Games and Music Taster

The following day, 17 students visited SAE Liverpool, a global creative media institute known for its industry-standard facilities and specialist courses.

Games Design students explored the process of concept creation and even pitched their own game ideas to SAE staff, meanwhile, Music Production students took part in a studio session, getting hands-on experience with professional recording equipment in a real working environment.

Both workshops allowed students to explore highly specialised areas of interest, helping them to better understand the skills, tools, and creative thinking involved in these dynamic industries.

Supporting Future Ambitions

These visits form part of the College’s wider Careers Programme, which is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to make informed decisions about their futures. The programme offers a structured blend of careers education, employer encounters, one-to-one guidance, and practical support with progression routes. From university visits and Careers Fairs, the Careers Programme ensures students are well-prepared for both higher education and the world of work.

Students not only had a chance to gain new technical skills, but also received excellent guidance on, writing strong personal statements for UCAS applications, understanding degree options and course content, and gaining confidence in applying to higher education.

Year 1 students at the College rounded off the end of the summer term by visiting a wide range of leading universities across the north west, as part of a two-day initiative designed to inspire and inform future ambitions. The students were offered a taste of university life during two packed days of campus visits to some of the north west’s top universities.

Across the two days, students had the opportunity to explore a range of different higher education options, with visits to Lancaster University, the University of Liverpool, Leeds Beckett University, Edge Hill University, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), and the University of Leeds. The visits formed a key part of the College’s nationally recognised careers provision.

The trips were designed to broaden students’ horizons, support their next-step planning, and give them valuable insight into university life. Students toured campuses, explored accommodation, visited academic departments, and heard from current undergraduates about their experiences.

The two-day initiative reflects Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s commitment to supporting students in achieving their ambitions, whether that be through higher education, apprenticeships, or entering the world of work.

With around 80% of our final year students choosing to go onto university each year, the number of students who progress to the prestigious Sutton 30 universities has been hailed as ‘remarkable’ by the Sixth Form Colleges Association. The College's robust careers programme plays a pivotal role in preparing students for their futures.

Head of student development at the College, David Barrigan, said: “These visits are a practical way for students to gather information and start thinking seriously about their next steps. Being able to see different campuses, ask questions, and compare environments helps students make more informed choices about what’s right for them.”

The College's commitment to high-quality, impartial careers education has been recognised nationally on multiple occasions. Birkenhead Sixth Form College was the first sixth form college in the UK to receive the Quality in Careers Standard award.

With the UCAS application process already underway, the timing of the visits provided a perfect opportunity for students to reflect over the summer on their future goals and take the next steps in shaping their path beyond college. Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many saying the visits had sparked new ideas about what and where they might want to study after College.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College was delighted to welcome Year 10 students from Ridgeway High School and Woodchurch High School last week, while also paying a visit to students at Prenton High School, as part of our ongoing partnership work with local schools to inspire and inform the next generation of learners.

Students from Woodchurch High School spent the day on our campus, experiencing what life at College is really like. They explored the facilities, met with staff, and took part in a variety of engaging taster sessions led by our specialist teachers. From Graphics to Law, the sessions gave students a hands-on introduction to the range of subjects available at College, helping them imagine the possibilities for their future studies.

Meanwhile, Year 10 students from Ridgeway High School and Prenton High School had the chance to speak with our teachers and learn more about the courses we offer. Through informative and interactive sessions, students were able to ask questions and discover new subject areas, offering an exciting insight into post-16 options and life at the College.

As part of the experience, students heard from Assistant Principal, Jen, and Head of Student Development, David, who spoke about life at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, the support available, and the thriving student community.

Assistant Principal, Jen Ludwig, said: “It’s fantastic to see young people getting excited about their futures and exploring what College life has to offer. These events are all about giving students the confidence and knowledge to make informed choices, and it’s a privilege to be part of that journey.”

These visits are an important part of helping young people make informed choices about their future, and we’re proud to work closely with our partner schools to provide a positive, inspiring first experience of sixth form life.

The week offered a valuable insight into life at College, and we look forward to continuing to support and welcome prospective students as they consider their next steps.

The 24/25 Ambassador Leadership Team recently gathered for a celebratory lunch to mark the end of their term as the leaders of the student ambassador team. The lunch provided an opportunity for the team to reflect on their achievements, share memories, and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Over the past year, the Ambassadors have played a key role in representing the College, supporting events, welcoming prospective students and their families, and acting as role models within the College community. Their dedication, reliability and enthusiasm have made a positive impact on both staff and students alike.

The celebration was also a chance to spotlight some of the outstanding individual successes within the team. Sam, one of this year’s Ambassadors, will soon travel to Finland to take part in the European Youth Parliament. This is an incredible opportunity for Sam to develop his leadership skills and represent young people on an international scale. Meanwhile, Jas has secured valuable law work experience over the summer through the prestigious Aspiring Professionals Programme, which will help pave the way for a future career in the legal sector.

As they prepare to take their next steps beyond college, the College community wishes all our Ambassadors every success and happiness in whatever comes next. Their hard work, commitment, and positivity have made a real impact, and they leave behind a legacy that future Ambassadors will continue to build upon.

A big thank you to all our Ambassadors, the College appreciate their efforts over the last year and wish them all the best of luck as they leave College.

A Birkenhead Sixth Form College student is heading across the Atlantic this summer after earning a prestigious sports scholarship to study and play football at Jefferson College in Missouri, USA.

Amelia, who has just completed her A Levels at the College, has secured the opportunity of a lifetime. As part of the scholarship, she will combine elite-level football training and competitive play with academic studies, pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.

Jefferson College, located in Hillsboro, Oregon, is one of the most competitive junior colleges in the U.S. for sport, offering top-class facilities, coaching, and a pathway into NCAA universities or even professional football. After studying Law at the College, the Criminal Justice programme at Jefferson will allow her to expand her knowledge by studying topics such as law enforcement, criminal behaviour, and forensic science.

Everyone at Birkenhead Sixth Form College is immensely proud of Amelia and her success. Her success stands as an example of what can be achieved with positivity, ambition, and resilience. We wish Amelia the best of luck with her future.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College continues to raise the bar for student development and academic enrichment with a suite of exceptional supra-curricular programmes. These initiatives are tailored to nurture ambition, unlock potential, and provide students with a competitive edge as they prepare for university and beyond.

The College’s supra-curricular programmes span a diverse range of professional sectors, including medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science, healthcare, education, and selective higher education. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all model, College has developed a plethora of bespoke pathways designed to meet the specific requirements of each discipline.

These programmes offer practical insight into what careers and academic environments entail. Through structured preparation for university admission examinations, targeted personal statement workshops, academic enrichment, mentoring, and access to external placements and professional networks, students gain valuable exposure to the demands and expectations of their chosen fields.

For example, those pursuing careers in Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary science benefit from clinical shadowing and UCAT admissions test preparation, while aspiring teachers receive early classroom experience through the Tomorrow’s Teachers programme developed in partnership with TES. Students applying to Oxford, Cambridge, or other Russell Group institutions access advanced academic mentoring, and admissions guidance designed to mirror the expectations of competitive universities.

These bespoke programmes play a crucial role in helping students move beyond abstract ambitions toward clearly defined goals. The opportunity to engage with professionals, participate in university-led activities, and reflect on their personal strengths enables students to make informed decisions about their next steps.

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), for example, allows students to conduct independent, university-level research on a topic of their choice. This not only strengthens their academic profile, but also fosters critical thinking, autonomy, and subject-specific insight that can shape their future academic or professional focus.

 “I originally chose to do an EPQ because it’s worth another half of an A level, and it also helps you to prepare for the jump to university, so I thought it would be really useful” – Georgie, current Year 2 student.

By embedding progression support into the fabric of college life, College ensures that students’ progress with a strong sense of direction, increased self-belief, and the skills required to succeed in the next phase of their journey. The College’s supra-curricular programmes play a vital role in preparing young people not only for the challenges of higher education and employment, but for fulfilling and impactful careers.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is proud to announce the appointment of a new cohort of Student Ambassadors for the upcoming academic year — a prestigious and rewarding leadership opportunity that sits at the heart of the College’s commitment to student development and enrichment.

Each year, a select group of students are chosen to take on the role of Ambassador, acting as representatives of the College’s values, vision and community. These students are not only role models for their peers but also play an integral role in shaping student life at Birkenhead Sixth Form College.

The Student Ambassador programme is a cornerstone of the College’s extensive extra-curricular offering. It provides students with real-world leadership experience, enhancing vital skills such as public speaking, event coordination, team collaboration, and communication. From representing the College at open evenings and events to setting an example to their younger peers, ambassadors are given opportunities to lead with integrity and purpose. As part of this, they engage in reflective practice and goal-setting, helping them to grow both personally and professionally.

In addition to leadership opportunities, the ambassador experience is a valuable addition to university applications and CVs. It helps students stand out in a competitive world, demonstrating a commitment to community engagement and a proactive approach to personal growth.

The Student Ambassador initiative is just one example of how Birkenhead Sixth Form College nurtures well-rounded individuals. With a wide-ranging Supra and Extra-curricular programmes, from our popular Medicine, Dentistry, and Programme, to clubs and sports, students are encouraged to explore their interests and unlock their potential.

The College extends its congratulations to the newly appointed ambassadors and looks forward to seeing them thrive in their roles.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College offers an exciting and dynamic Psychology A Level course that gives students a unique opportunity to delve into the science of human behaviour and mental processes. With a mix of academic rigor and real-world relevance, the course is designed to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us.

Why study Psychology at Birkenhead Sixth Form College?

Students studying Psychology at the College explore a wide range of fascinating topics, including Social influence; Memory; Psychopathology; Attachment; Approaches in psychology; Bio-Psychology ; Research methods; Cognition and Development; Schizophrenia; Forensic Psychology; Issues and debates. Students also have the chance to get involved in practical experiments with their peers, bringing theories and concepts to life through hands-on investigation and research activities.

The Psychology department is the largest in the College, with nearly 700 students choosing to study the subject, making it a vibrant and diverse academic community. The team is made up of 12 Psychology specialists, offering a wealth of expertise and support to students. Additionally, the College boasts its very own Psychology building, equipped with nine spacious, state-of-the-art classrooms featuring interactive TV screens to support a modern and engaging learning environment.

Learning beyond the classroom

Studying Psychology at Birkenhead Sixth Form College extends far beyond textbooks and lessons. Psychology students benefit from subject-specific trips, including visits to Liverpool’s ‘Quirky Quarter’, and to London.

Looking ahead, the department is planning a trip to Krakow and Auschwitz in the next academic year, directly supporting curriculum learning on Social Influence and historical psychological perspectives.

Enriching events and immersive learning

One of the highlights of the Psychology calendar is the annual Psychology Careers Fair, a vibrant event held at the College that brings together universities and industry professionals to help students explore their next steps. The fair provides invaluable access to a range of higher education providers and career pathways in psychology and related fields, including counselling, mental health, neuroscience, and more.

University of Warwick Spring Break Residential

A group of first-year students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College recently took part in a prestigious four-day residential as part of the Pathways to Engineering programme, held over the Spring Break at University of Warwick, one of the UK’s leading universities.

The students were selected for this opportunity through their involvement in the Sutton Trust’s Pathways to Engineering initiative, which aims to widen access to top-tier engineering careers for academically high-achieving students.

During the residential, the students experienced life on campus, attending engineering lectures, participating in social activities, and networking with Sutton Trust alumni currently working in the engineering sector. These alumni represented major companies including UMEX, British Gas, Jaguar Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz, offering invaluable insight into the real-world applications of engineering study.

One of the key features of the programme was a group challenge in which students worked in teams of ten to design an ecologically-sound secondary school. The project culminated in a presentation to a panel of professional civil engineers who judged the innovative ideas and teamwork demonstrated by each group. Throughout the experience, BSFC students enhanced both their academic and practical abilities while forming valuable connections with peers.

This residential has further fuelled the students’ aspirations to pursue engineering at university and beyond, reinforcing BSFC’s commitment to broadening horizons and supporting students in reaching their full potential.

We are incredibly proud of our students for representing BSFC with maturity and confidence while engaging with peers from schools and colleges across England. 

Students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College were given a comprehensive insight into the ever-expanding world of apprenticeships and alternative Post-18 pathways, reinforcing the College’s mission to prepare students not just for exams, but for life beyond education.

The fair brought together a diverse and impressive range of organisations, from prominent universities such as the University of Central Lancashire, Liverpool John Moores University, and Manchester Metropolitan University, to internationally recognised companies like Airbus and Knauf Insulation. Students also had the chance to engage with representatives from the Royal Air Force and Cammell Laird, all united by a common goal: to inform, inspire, and help guide the next generation of apprentices into meaningful and rewarding career pathways.

Students found the fair particularly valuable, with many taking the opportunity to ask insightful questions about apprenticeship applications, entry requirements, and what employers look for in prospective apprentices. They gained a deeper understanding of how work experience, enthusiasm, and transferable skills can make a real difference when applying for competitive apprenticeship programmes. The event also offered first-hand insight into the importance of networking, professionalism, and preparation when exploring alternatives to traditional university routes.

Representing Knauf Insulation at the fair was Cam Woolley, a proud alumni and former Head Student of Birkenhead Sixth Form College. Cam was delighted to return to his former college and shared how pivotal his time at BSFC had been in shaping his personal and professional development.

“Birkenhead Sixth Form College really helped me grow as an individual — not just academically, but personally as well,” he said. “I came out of my shell here, especially through my role as a Head Student and by getting involved in a range of college activities. Those experiences played a huge part in making me who I am today. I owe so much to BSFC.”

It was a pleasure to welcome Cam back and to see how successfully he has progressed in his career.

As the landscape of higher education and employment continues to evolve, Birkenhead Sixth Form College remains committed to adapting its provision to reflect those changes. Events like the Apprenticeship Careers Fair exemplify the College’s proactive approach to careers and further education.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College continues to break new ground in post-16 education with its comprehensive and dynamic Law programme, offering both A Level and BTEC Law courses. Designed to cater to a range of learning styles and career ambitions, these pathways provide students with an in-depth understanding of the legal system and a solid foundation for further study or employment in the legal sector.

Theory meets practice at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, where Law students regularly take part in Bar Mock Trial competitions. These simulated trials - held at the Liverpool Crown Court - allow students to argue cases in front of legal professionals, acting as barristers, witnesses, and jurors. These sessions help students build confidence, develop public speaking skills, and gain a first-hand taste of legal careers. Additionally, Law students are given the opportunity to visit Parliament and the Supreme Court as part of the recurring London trip.

The College also hosts an annual Law Careers Fair, bringing together universities, law firms, and legal professionals to offer guidance and inspiration. Students are encouraged to network, ask questions, and explore a wide range of legal career paths as part of our Visiting Speaker Programme, in which individuals from the profession, such as Magistrates, Solicitors, Barristers, and Judges, come to BSFC to speak to Law students about their area of Law and hold a Q&A session.

The teaching team at Birkenhead Sixth Form College combines deep subject knowledge with a passion for student success. Learners are supported with tailored guidance—from mastering legal essay writing and preparing for exams to crafting standout university and apprenticeship applications. The department ensures each student leaves with confidence and clarity about their next steps.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s commitment to academic rigour, hands-on learning, and student empowerment makes it a regional leader in post-16 legal education. By combining high-quality teaching with unique enrichment opportunities, the College ensures every student has the chance to thrive—whatever their ambitions in the legal world may be.

Take Your First Step Into Law: Apply now!

To find out more about studying Law at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

Click here to Apply Now. 

In a momentous occasion celebrating a career dedicated to educational excellence, Mike Kilbride, Principal of Birkenhead Sixth Form College, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his outstanding services to education. The honour was formally bestowed upon him by the Princess Royal during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Mike’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming Birkenhead Sixth Form College into a nationally recognised beacon of post-16 education. Under his stewardship, the College has undergone a remarkable journey of improvement, innovation, and ambition, culminating in its current status as one of the top three sixth form colleges in the country.

The MBE recognises Mike’s relentless commitment to raising educational standards, fostering an inclusive and aspirational environment, and reshaping the College into a model of best practice. His focus on staff empowerment, student success, and evidence-based teaching has earned accolades both locally and nationally.

In response to receiving the MBE, Mike was quick to highlight the collective nature of the achievement:

 “This recognition is a reflection of the dedication, ambition and belief we have as a College community. I’m proud to accept it on behalf of an incredible staff body and the students we serve.”

Colleagues have praised Mike for his strategic vision and unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. Deputy Principal at the College, Rob Myatt, praised his impact and inspirational leadership:

“Mike’s commitment to transforming lives through education has been nothing short of extraordinary. His leadership has inspired all of us to strive for more, and this recognition is so richly deserved. It’s a proud moment for the entire College.”

As Birkenhead Sixth Form College continues to set new standards for post-16 education, Mike Kilbride’s MBE stands as a symbol of what visionary leadership and a united team can achieve.

Students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College are embracing the spotlight through an inspiring range of Performing Arts courses that offer creativity, confidence, and countless opportunities for live performance and cultural enrichment.

BSFC proudly offers Drama A Level, Dance A Level, and Performing Arts BTEC, each designed to develop technical skill, artistic expression, and a strong foundation for further study or careers in the arts. These courses go far beyond the classroom, offering students the chance to experience the professional world of performance first hand.

Each course runs regular theatre trips throughout the academic year, giving students the opportunity to experience a deeper understanding of theatrical styles, choreography, and performance techniques. In addition, all three courses come together for an annual London trip, where students explore the capital’s vibrant arts scene, including West End performances. 

BSFC's Performing Arts department has become a hub of creative excellence, with the annual college production consistently earning rave reviews from audiences. Whether it's a classic play, a piece of contemporary drama, or an innovative musical, the production is a highlight of the College calendar and a testament to staff and students’ dedication and skills.

The Dance Show is another annual fixture that never fails to impress. With expressive choreography, high-energy routines, and striking visuals, the showcase allows dancers to shine in both group and solo pieces. Recently, Dance students dazzled audiences with their talent and creativity in Encore, a high-energy dance showcase. The production featured a variety of dance styles, from contemporary and jazz to hip-hop and ballet, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the students.

Throughout the year, students also take part in showcase nights for each subject. These evenings offer a platform for performers to present their own work, refine their skills, and celebrate their progress with family, friends, and fellow students.

Whether pursuing a career in the arts or developing transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and creativity, BSFC Performing Arts students gain far more than a qualification. With expert teaching, hands-on experience, and a strong emphasis on collaboration, these courses prepare students to thrive both on and off the stage.

At BSFC, the Performing Arts aren’t just a subject – they’re a passion, a community, and a celebration of young talent in full voice.

To find out more about studying Drama A level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

To find out more about studying Dance A level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

To find out more about studying Performing Arts BTEC at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

Click here to Apply Now!

‘Beyond the Screen’ Study Sees Students Disconnect from Phones

Students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College have taken part in a unique research project, Beyond the Screen, in collaboration with the University of York, exploring the impact of mobile phone usage on young people’s wellbeing, focus, and social lives.

As part of the study, participating students voluntarily gave up their mobile phones for a full three weeks, with researchers gathering data on how the absence of constant connectivity affected their daily routines, study habits, and wellbeing.

The project has drawn national interest as one of the first of its kind in a sixth form setting. It aims to better understand the complex relationship between young people and their devices – and to help educators, parents, and policy-makers make more informed decisions around digital usage.

Deputy Principal of Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Rob Myatt, said:

“We’re incredibly proud of our students for engaging so positively with Beyond the Screen. It’s not easy to step away from something that’s so embedded in modern life, but our students embraced the challenge with maturity and curiosity. This project aligns closely with our commitment to developing not just academic success, but emotional resilience and self-awareness in our young people.”

Early reflections from students reveal increased face-to-face interaction, improved sleep, and better concentration – with some students even reporting a desire to keep their screen time reduced long after the project ends.

Parents of the participants also shared striking observations. Several noted improvements in their child’s mood and ability to engage more deeply in conversations at home. One parent described the experience as “a refreshing reset,” while another shared, “It’s been eye-opening to see just how much more present and relaxed they’ve become.” 

At the end of project celebration, Emma Sullivan, Postdoctoral Research Associate, congratulated college students, “thank you all so much for taking part in this study. It is a massive undertaking to give up your phone for three weeks, so really well done. It has been such a pleasure to test in such a welcoming and friendly educational environment and you should all be really proud of yourselves.”

Students studying Law at Birkenhead Sixth Form College had the opportunity to explore career pathways in the legal sector at our annual Law Fair. The event brought together representatives from leading universities offering law degrees, prestigious law firms, and future employers such as solicitors, providing students with invaluable insights into the diverse opportunities within the legal profession.

Students had the chance to engage directly with legal professionals, gaining first-hand knowledge about routes into the industry. Organisations who participated in the event included, Slater & Gordon, Weightmans, Aaron & Partners, Wirral Borough Council, Wigan Council, and MSB Solicitors.

Students found the fair particularly useful, with many taking the opportunity to ask questions about applications, work experience, and what employers look for in future legal professionals. Furthermore, students also received a first-hand experience of the importance of work experience and networking in such a competitive field.

Additionally, universities such as The University of Law, Manchester Metropolitan University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Chester, and Edge Hill University, were present to discuss their courses in Law, entry requirements, and the benefits of pursuing higher education in Law.

With law being a competitive field and the legal sector constantly evolving, the event provided a valuable platform for students to network and explore options, ensuring they are well-equipped for their next steps, whether that be university, apprenticeships, or direct employment in the legal sector.

To find out more about studying Law at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

Students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College dazzled audiences with their talent and creativity in Encore, a high-energy dance showcase. The production featured a variety of dance styles, from contemporary and jazz to hip-hop and ballet, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the students.

The event brought together Dance students from Year 1, Year 2, and members of BSFC’s extra-curricular Dance group, Aspire. Choreographed by both students and Head of Dance, Emma Potter, the routines explored themes of resilience, joy, and self-expression.

Emma praised the students for their commitment: “I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you in the show. The dedication and hard work you all put in truly paid off, and it’s amazing to see how much you’ve all grown into such talented performers and choreographers! The feedback I’ve received from the show has been overwhelmingly positive, and you are all a true credit to the dance department. The show was sold out and a huge success, and the energy has been fantastic ever since.”

One of the standout moments of the night was a dynamic group number to ‘Come Alive’ from The Greatest Showman, which had the audience clapping along. Solo, duet, and small group performances also left a lasting impression, with expressive contemporary pieces earning particular praise. With a full audience and glowing feedback, Encore has been recognised as a highlight of the College’s performing arts events programme.

The production was the result of months of dedication from Emma and her students. The dancers spent weeks perfecting their routines, fine-tuning movements, and refining transitions. For many Year 2 students, Encore marked their final performance at BSFC, making the night even more exceptional. Emma stated, “for my second years, this was their final performance at BSFC, and now they’re working incredibly hard toward their practical and theory exam. The first years, meanwhile, are excited to continue their dance journey here at the college. I’m beyond proud to be your teacher—well done to all of you once again!”.

Encore certainly lived up to its name, leaving everyone wanting just one more performance.

A group of  55 students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College have signed up to take part in a unique research project conducted by University of York. Over the next three weeks, the students will give up their smartphones and social media in an effort to understand the effects of a digital detox on various aspects of their well-being, including sleep quality, mood, alertness, and overall mental health.

The study aims to shed light on how constant smartphone use and social media engagement is impacting the sleep patterns and emotional well-being of young people. As smartphones become increasingly embedded in the daily lives of teenagers, researchers are looking to explore how reducing screen time might improve mental clarity, emotional stability, and general mood.

The group of volunteers, a combination of Year 12 and 13 students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, will be disconnected from their phones and social media platforms for three weeks. Throughout this time they will be monitored by researchers, who will assess their sleep patterns, levels of alertness, and overall mental health through regular surveys and sleep tracking technology.

Dr. Emma Sullivan, research leader from University of York, the same research team behind the recent ‘Channel 4 Documentary Swiped – the School that Banned Smartphones’ explained: “We are really excited to work with the College. Research of this kind has focused on younger teenagers so far, so it will be really interesting to see what the impact of 16-19 year olds giving up phones will be. Students have completed all their pre-tests, we are now ready for the ban to commence.”

The findings from this study could help pave the way for new strategies to support mental health and improve sleep hygiene among young people, particularly in an age dominated by digital distractions.

"We are excited to work with University of York on this innovative project," said Rob Myatt, Deputy Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College. “It is great to see students’ willingness to take on this challenge, which I am sure will not be easy. Students have been preparing for this moment and have had to make alternative arrangements for different aspects of their lives, including gig tickets and railcards stored on their phones. It is very brave what they are doing and as a College we are fascinated to see what happens. ”

The students participating in the study have expressed both excitement and nervousness about the challenge. Many recognise the role smartphones play in their daily routines and acknowledge the importance of addressing the mental health issues that can arise from excessive screen time.

Student participant Annabelle James is intrigued about how it will affect her, “I am taking part in the mobile phone experiment to try and get a re-set from technology and to become less dependent on it.” Woody Parks who is also participating in the research said “I am excited to see how my day-to-day life will be impacted without my phone. I’m also excited to see how my sleep improves and to generally see how my life plays out without my smartphone.”

As the study progresses, researchers will continue to gather data and analyse what impact being without smartphones for a prolonged period of time has on young people. The full results are expected to be released later this year.

Physics students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College have recently taken part in the British Physics Olympiad competition, and have dazzled the College with their amazing achievements.

The British Physics Olympiad is a national competition that our Year 2 students participate in each year. The competition is extremely demanding, and it is entered by the top students in the country. It is designed to challenge and find excellence in the country’s top young Physicists.

Our students have exhibited fantastic results:

Student name:                     Award:

Dylan                                     Silver

Oscar                                     Silver

Jake                                       Bronze I

Harry                                      Bronze II

Jack                                      Bronze II

Luana                                               Commendation

Tyler                                      Commendation

Head of Physics, Richard Newby, commented, “students who put themselves forward to compete, regardless of the result, have demonstrated a positivity and resilience that should be commended. I am very proud of the hard work put in by this year’s students which has resulted in an excellent set of awards.” Students themselves were really pleased with their results, and express pride at succeeding in such a highly demanding competition. Photographed are students Harry, Dylan, Luana, and Oscar with their well-earned certificates.

The College are extremely proud of their efforts and congratulate their exceptional results.

Former student, Bridey, recently returned to BSFC to talk to our current Oxbridge cohort about the Higher Education+ application process.

Bridey gave the Year 1 students advice on applying to the UK’s top universities, and shared her experience of the application process and how BSFC supported her when she was a student at College. Bridey left BSFC in 2023, and is currently studying physics at the University of St Andrews.

The University of Cambridge’s HE+ programme is a supra-curricular activity that the College offers, and works to support students to access top university places. Having had this same support herself as a student here, Bridey relayed her experience to current students and discussed how the College supported her to reach her full potential:

“You’ve got to be able to balance between all of your supra-curricular work and also your College work. It is possible, and now I stand here as BSFC alumni who goes to St Andrews. It’s really good to have an idea now about what you will go forward to do and how to make sure you’re balancing [your College workload and supra-curricular workload]. I made sure I was doing a lot of ambassador work at College, so it made me shift my focus a little bit in my second year to prioritise my academic studies and I really made sure to emphasise that because you have to get the grades to go to those select universities”.

The HE+ Programme supports students who have the potential to progress to selective higher education but may be from under-represented backgrounds and, therefore, may be less likely to progress on to such universities. In addition to studying for her degree, Bridey works with students all over the UK to encourage them to go to any university, and inspires them to push themselves regardless of their background, providing support and enthusiasm that is complimentary of the support she received at BSFC.

Bridey is a fantastic example of the student success from the HE+ Programme, and demonstrates that if you approach life and studies with Positivity, Ambition, Resilience, and Thoughtfulness, everyone has the potential to be highly successful. It was great to welcome Bridey back to College as BSFC Alumni, and we wish her all the best with her Physics degree.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College Principal, Mike Kilbride, has been awarded an MBE for services to education in the King’s New Year Honours.

Mike is being honoured in recognition of his role of spearheading the College’s rise to being a national leader in the post-16 sector and becoming first choice destination after GCSEs for Wirral and the surrounding area.

Mike was entrusted with the task of turning around the College’s status when he arrived in 2008, with the institution at that point performing weakly and being in special measures. Subsequently, the College has firmly established its position as the benchmark for success, as Ofsted has consistently rated it as Outstanding in all areas since 2016.

More than 1500 students each year choose to study at Birkenhead Sixth Form College from over 60 different high schools. National and regional education award wins act as further proof that the College is leading the way in terms of results and progress that its students make, as they thrive in the calm yet ambitious environment no matter which school they arrive from.

Mike’s definitive vision that each and every young person can succeed at A Level or Level 3 BTEC given their own purposeful hard work and the College’s expert teaching is informed by his own journey of transformation after secondary school.

From humble origins, having been born in Scotland and raised on a council estate in Burnley, Mike found his calling in Psychology and teaching after a sixth form experience laden with inspiration from his own teachers.

The College Principal refers to the fact that there was no history or tradition of academic success in his family, but his educational fortunes reversed thanks to the dedication and encouragement of his own teachers at college. He has taken the ethos he acquired at the time to implement an approach that has influenced countless young people to achieve far beyond the limits of where their individual aspirations originally aimed.

Mike’s values have been made intrinsic to Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s existence. He established the ‘BePART educational ethos’, named after the four values of Positivity, Ambition, Resilience and Thoughtfulness. These attributes are the foundations that teachers and students across the College are encouraged to embody, and the guidance from Mike’s leadership has had proven effect.

More students than any other sixth form in the area move onto university education each year - nearly 700 final year students every August - and the vast majority of those are the first generation in their families to do so.

Social mobility is at the heart of Mike’s processes and systems, as he leads College teachers and support staff to enable students from all backgrounds and starting points to embrace all of the opportunities from which their counterparts benefit. Birkenhead Sixth Form College students from some of the most socio-economically deprived areas in the UK have had belief embedded within them that no life or career goal is out of reach. Nearly a quarter of students gain places at the prestigious and traditionally exclusive Russell Group universities each year: a rate of achievement that has been described by independent authorities as ‘remarkable’.

On receiving an MBE for services to education at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride said: “No educator enters into the career with the aim of personal recognition. However, this is an enormous honour because it’s another milestone and benchmark of what we can achieve if we have a vision for the future and the drive to get there.

“Given my own beginnings in life, this can stand as a mirror for those many young people across the college, past, present and future. It is recognition of their successes as much as mine, just as it is a tribute to the wonderful teachers and support staff whose exemplary attitudes and unrivalled expertise have allowed this vision to come to fruition. This does not belong to me alone. You can achieve little or nothing in life without the help of others, so everyone here at the college deserves to be proud.”

Mike explained: “I owe my own teachers everything from my time as a young man studying to further myself. They inspired, challenged and encouraged me to be curious, to be hard working, to be ambitious. After a few years in the private sector, I was drawn back to education, and since my first day of teaching in September 1989, I have worked tirelessly to payback what I was so lucky to have been given.”

“This award is also a time for me to take a moment to reflect on my own journey and remember how I came to this point in life. These last 16 years at Birkenhead Sixth Form College have been extraordinarily fulfilling. I have been blessed to work with a truly great body of staff and together we have been able to bring high quality academic education to the whole Wirral community.”

He concluded: “Every day, I am motivated by my desire to do for others what my teachers did for me. This is not a job: it is a vocation, a way of life, a mindset. I have a good few years left in me yet and this recognition will put a little hop into the many steps I have left to take.”

Mike Kilbride will receive his MBE for services to education at Birkenhead Sixth Form College from King Charles at a ceremony to take place at Buckingham Palace.

To apply for a place at Birkenhead Sixth Form College in September 2025 and benefit from Mike Kilbride’s visionary approach to inclusive education, click here. 

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s Winter production was a treat for audiences across two nights, as students embraced dark themes for this spectacular show.

The ensemble was made up of students from all years across the College, each of them exhibiting different skills, adding their own personal flair to the production. Broadmoor included a plethora of performative arts that ranged from acting, singing, dance, and musicality. Audiences were thoroughly entertained as students of present and past, family, friends, and staff gathered for a night that they are unlikely to forget.

Differing greatly from the previous College production of Grease, Broadmoor provoked an unnerving atmosphere that struck everyone involved. Based on Sarah Kane’s play 4.48 Psychosis, the production adopted the promenade theatre style and exceeded conventional theatrical expectations. Through testing theatrical norms, the audience were fully immersed in the show as they were guided through the College hallways, accompanied by their chosen ‘doctor’ as they visited the different ‘patients’ of the hospital.

The show was directed by Head of Drama, Sian Murray, with Head of Dance Emma Potter choreographing the frequent dance pieces. Head of Music Alec Hulton also conducted the band who performed songs such as Nirvana’s ‘Heart Shaped Box’.

After the production, Sian commented “the production may have made you feel uncomfortable or nervous – these are the exact feelings that we wanted you to feel”, as the play touched on expressions towards experiences with mental health issues, which the cast complimented in a striking and thoughtful manner.

Sian added, “the success of Broadmoor stands as a testament to the creativity and dedication of our students, who embraced the raw, unflinching style of Sarah Kane’s work. Their commitment to exploring the depths of human emotion and pushing the boundaries of theatre resulted in a production that was both powerful and thought-provoking. Through their hard work and interpretation, they brought Kane’s vision to life in a way that was uniquely their own.”

Students should be proud of their performance that was both thoughtful and thought-provoking. It was inspiring to witness the creativity and performativity that our students have to offer. We are much looking forward to the next College production already!

Yesterday, the College was buzzing with excitement as students and staff came together for our Halloween Fest. The entire campus was transformed with eerie decorations, creating the perfect backdrop for a day full of thrilling activities, laughter, and unforgettable moments. It’s no surprise that this event is one of the year’s highlights for both students and staff alike!

Here’s a sneak peek into the spine-chilling fun:

Teddy’s Trick or Treat Trial: Students set off on a College-wide hunt to find Teddy hidden in 10 secret locations. Did you manage to spot Teddy hidden in the posters?

Costume Contest: The halls were packed with amazing costumes, from terrifying to downright hilarious (yes, there was an inflatable dinosaur!). A huge shoutout to Year 2 student Connor, who took home the win with a terrifying monster costume! Year 1 student Alex, as Robin, was a close runner-up.

Halloween Cake Sale: Sweet treats were in high demand, with Halloween-themed cakes flying off the table. The best part? We raised an incredible £200.15 for Maggie’s charity – a big thank you to everyone who contributed!

Glow in the Dark Sports: A fan favourite, students lit up the Drama Studio with badminton and table tennis.

Spooky Kahoot Quiz: Lunchtime got competitive with a Halloween-themed Kahoot quiz. Congratulations to Year 2 student Madeleine for showing off her Halloween knowledge!

Spooky Menu: 8SQ pulled out all the stops with a devilishly delicious menu, featuring Monster Burgers and Mummy Fingers – a perfect feast to fuel the day's fun!

Scary Movie Screening: The thrills continued after College, as students gathered to watch the horror classic Insidious!

Haunted Escape Room: For those seeking a challenge, the haunted-themed escape room had students working together to solve creepy clues and escape!

Halloween Fest was a fantastic celebration of spooky fun. Thanks to everyone who made it such a memorable day – we can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Birkenhead Sixth form College has once again outperformed the national trend with a significantly higher increase in A level high grades than the national average, opening the doors for students’ exciting next steps at either university, apprenticeships or employment.

Nationally, although exam results were expected to return to pre-pandemic levels, there has been a 1.1% increases in high grades in England.  Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s high grades have surpassed this, increasing by 4%.

Reflecting on the outstanding results, Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “We have once again broken our records for A-Level outcomes. When we had our inspection in April this year, we were confirmed as Outstanding; if they came back now, they would have to invent a new and better grade.”

Each year, the College welcomes students from over 65 different high schools across Wirral, Merseyside, Cheshire, and beyond, making it the only specialist sixth form in the area. In April 2024, Ofsted commented that “all staff have very high aspirations of what students can achieve” and this has been demonstrated in these record breaking results.  BTEC and T level results were equally impressive, once again making student’s ambitions of university, apprenticeship or employment a reality.

Over 80% of students will be heading to university this September and a significant number have secured places at the UK’s leading universities, including the prestigious Russell Group, to study a wide range of subjects such as dentistry, medicine, psychology, law and environment science to name but a few.

With outstanding teaching, superb student support and an exceptional careers programme, Birkenhead Sixth Form College ensures that every student is well-prepared to take the next steps toward a successful future.

Mike continued: “I am not surprised by the extraordinary outcomes that our students have achieved. I see the blood, sweat, and tears that our staff put in, day in and day out; I see the amazingly positive way our students step up to the challenges we set them. They are resilient and inspiring. I also see them enjoy the environment we work to create for them and that they build on. This is an extremely successful sixth form college, but it is also a happy place where we do things the right way.”

“Our students have achieved great outcomes, and I want them to enjoy their success but also show thanks to those who have supported them over these challenging two years—their parents, their teachers, and all the support staff at the College who were on the journey with them. To our students, their parents, and all the staff at the College: celebrate and enjoy the moment. It has been the product of the right approach and lots of hard work.”

Recently, over 50 students studying BTEC courses in Health and Social Care, IT, Business, and Sport took part in a work experience week that took them beyond the classroom. Students visited various organisations, attended inspiring talks, and even participated in hands-on placements at local businesses. The week was packed with enriching experiences designed to provide practical insights and career inspiration and inspire students for their next steps after College.

20 BTEC IT students visited SAE Institute in Liverpool during their work experience week.  This visit provided them with a first-hand look at roles within creative IT industries, including 3D modelling and games design/programming.

Students were able to take a full guided tour of the facilities at SAE including their recording studios, green screen suite, animation and game development labs.  Students got some practical experience too, taking part in guided sessions in 3D modelling and in designing their own first person game level environment.

Health and Social Care students had the opportunity to experience "A Day in the Life of a Student Nurse" at the University of Chester's Birkenhead-based teaching centre, Marriss House. They explored a fully equipped simulated hospital ward, took vital measurements of life-like dummy patients, and, under the guidance of a nurse, learned to inject a replica arm and safely dispose of the needle.

Students then visited a fully equipped simulated living environment and completed a risk assessment of the living conditions. A highlight of the day was seeing the use of virtual reality in nurse training, with students able to experience virtual various crisis situations including a road traffic accident. After lunch, students completed academic research before preparing and delivering group presentations on the different body systems in humans.

Health and Social Care students also attended talks held in college from NHS Wirral. Alison, a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian discussed the importance of being able to raise concerns in a large organisation such as the NHS and students learnt all about the different support packages in places for NHS workers. Students were able to ask questions about current issues in the NHS such as the case of Lucy Letby and the failings at Stafford Hospital. Students discussed how Freedom to Speak Up plays a role in preventing major cases like these from happening again in the future.

Students also attended ‘NHS 350 Careers’ with two representatives from the Wirral Community Health team . This was an interactive workshop learning all about NHS careers in the community. Both staff and students attending took part in a group activity, using their teamwork, communication skills and problem solving to consider which professionals would be needed to respond to the needs of those using services with the NHS.

The representatives from the NHS supported the students to explore routes into the NHS and a current BSFC student was able to share their positive experiences of the Nursing Cadet Programme. An engaging and informative session for all.

We welcomed Dan, a personal trainer, to give an inspiring talk to our BTEC Sport students. He shared his journey into the profession, emphasising the importance of persistence and passion in achieving his career goals.

Dan highlighted the importance of networking, demonstrating how building connections can open doors and support professional growth in Sport. His enthusiasm in relation to sport was encouraging and he outlined the value of hard work and determination.

He also provided practical advice on nutrition, specifically tailored for PE students, offering tips on how to optimise their diets for better performance and overall health.

Our Sport Staff also met with Matt Houghton, who is the Business Development Manager and Community Development Officer at Tranmere Football Club.

Matt discussed the possibility of placements for our students and visits from guest speakers such as physiotherapists. These opportunities promise to enrich our BTEC Sport curriculum by offering insights into various career paths and daily professional life within the sports industry.

If you are interested in finding out more you can click the links below:

• Courses we offer

• Careers Guidance Programme

Birkenhead Sixth Form College recently united students and staff in a remarkable fundraising effort for Maggie's Cancer Charity. Known for providing practical and emotional support to those affected by cancer, Maggie's was chosen as the beneficiary of this year's charity drive due to the invaluable assistance staff and their families have received from the organisation.

The College took on an ambitious challenge: virtually cycling the distance between all 26 Maggie's Centres in the UK. Leading the charge was Alan Redfern, Head of Fine Art, who impressively completed the entire 2,125 km challenge on the ZWIFT platform over 11 days, fitting sessions in before and after College. Alan's dedication raised an impressive £1,700 for Maggie's. Other staff members also contributed significant distances, with Paul Moore achieving the second-highest total of 252 km.

A special mention goes to Nicholas Whittaker, whose support and motivation were instrumental in rallying participants. Nicholas himself completed 170 km, demonstrating exceptional dedication and inspiring others to join the cause.

Students showed extraordinary resilience and enthusiasm, collectively cycling just under 1,000 km. Among the standout participants were Sam and Sasha, who cycled 161 km and 66 km. The students' commitment was evident, even extending to instances where two students, having missed their bus, stayed longer to accumulate additional kilometres.

To further push the fundraising efforts, Alan also organised a raffle and silent auction, featuring a variety of prizes. Everton Football Club donated a particularly noteworthy item: an Everton Pendant signed by Manager Sean Dyche, adding a touch of excitement to the silent auction.

Alan Redfern remarked, "Maggie's holds a special place in the heart of our College. When we shared their story with the students, it was clear how much it resonated with them. The students really stepped up and made a difference."

The combined efforts of Birkenhead Sixth Form College's staff and students highlight the College’s dedication to supporting meaningful causes and making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. The College community and determination underscore the College’s ethos of positivity and resilience.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s status as an outstanding provider of education has been cemented by our latest report from Ofsted.

The UK’s education watchdog has awarded the College, which is the area’s only specialist sixth form, the top grading of ‘outstanding’ in 2024, following on from the previous report in 2016-17 which saw us achieve maximum scores in all areas of inspection.

Ofsted’s findings celebrated the College’s students’ high academic grades and attainment, their enjoyment of their studies, the life opportunities that attending the College affords, and the superb quality of our teaching.

While our 2016-17 ‘Outstanding’ report recognised the institution’s ‘journey of transformation’ to become a leader in A Level and BTEC education for Wirral, Merseyside and Cheshire, this year’s inspection solidifies the College’s place as a beacon of local and national excellence.

Ofsted’s report released this week from their visit and inspection in April 2024 highlighted the quality of education and experience for all students, and said: “All staff have very high aspirations of what students can achieve irrespective of their starting points or background. Consequently, students develop their resilience, confidence and self-belief through their studies.

“Students develop a passion for the subjects that they study. They feel respected and thrive in the calm and inclusive learning environments that staff create.”

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is the most popular choice in Wirral for A Level study, and we have students joining us from nearly 60 different high schools each year after GCSEs.

Last year’s A Level high grades at the College were a cause for national acclaim as they bucked the countrywide trend of a downturn since students returned to sitting formal exams, and instead saw a 15% rise in achievements. The College’s grammar school profile cohort also outshone their contemporaries in Wirral selective schools in high grades, with 80% receiving A* - B in their A Levels.

While also pointing out that the vast majority of the College’s 1400 plus students go onto degree courses or higher or degree apprenticeships, Ofsted also heaped praise on our specialist subject teachers and the impact that they have on each student’s time in education.

They said: “Teachers have significant experience and are experts in their subjects. They use a variety of highly effective teaching strategies to help students to retain knowledge over time. Teachers skilfully help students to understand how concepts and ideas are related.

“Students enjoy their learning. They say that their teachers make learning interesting and lively and that they are given the freedom to be creative.”

Ofsted’s re-awarding of ‘outstanding’ follows a hattrick of award wins for Birkenhead Sixth Form College last year, with leading awards in education naming us ‘College of the Year 2023’ and ‘Most Inspirational Sixth Form’.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “I have the privileged position to watch and observe what our staff and students achieve every day, and that means that Ofsted’s findings actually come as no surprise to me.

“This is not to be confused with any arrogance or misplaced confidence. My instruction to staff after the standard one day’s notice for Ofsted inspection was to simply continue what they do each day – let them see us for what we are.

“I am humbled by the abilities and the hard work of these inspiring individuals all around me, and that is what empowers me with belief. This recognition from external bodies does not come about by accident: it is the result of ambition on behalf of students, of never being complacent in our approach, and above all, of being unwavering in our commitment to doing the right thing.”

Mike continued: “We are not ashamed to have high academic expectations. That encompasses every student, whichever school they come to us from or whatever they have attained previously in education. What they can accomplish at this College is limitless, and they prove this year upon year.”

Mike has overseen Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s establishment as the first choice sixth form destination in the region, with innovation and the science of learning governing his and the College’s ethos.

He said: “The report from Ofsted is enormously gratifying. Certainly it recognises that our approach works and it stands testament to constantly evolving and analysing what we do to provide the best for young people. But it is also hugely pleasing to have yet more conformation that our students enjoy their time with us. To combine life-changing academic achievement with a holistically positive experience enhances every facet of a young person’s future prospects. Our staff, teachers and support staff alike, have a huge amount to be proud of.

“This College exists to change the educational landscape and offer students a genuine alternative after their GCSEs – an alternative to selective schools, to being left behind in their current system or to becoming stuck in an institution that does not help them be the best versions of themselves possible. This is a place that raises aspirations from any starting point, higher or lower GCSE achievement, and we do it in an environment that is proven to make young people thrive.”

Mike concluded: “The re-affirming of our Outstanding status from Ofsted is not the end of our achievements, but another positive marker on our continuing journey that we look forward to sharing with our students now and those joining us in the future.”

Click here to read the report and see highlights from the inspector's findings below.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College Principal, Mike Kilbride, has been shortlisted for an award to recognise his leadership in making the College the outstanding choice for post-GCSE education in the region.

Educate North Awards is a prestigious awarding body in the education sector, and Mike’s shortlisting for the Leadership & Innovation Award celebrates his guidance during a journey in which the College has won multiple national and regional awards.

This comes hand-in-hand with acknowledging his commitment to an evidence-based approach: leading the path towards independent thinking, and inspirational and aspirational teaching.

The shortlisting is the first in 2024 for the College, after a hattrick of award wins last year, including for College of the Year and Most Inspirational Sixth Form.

Awards in education are some that few are honoured with, so the shortlisting for Mike and the recognition of his approach for young people to learn is one that is deserved and endorsed by those that work with him.

Vice Principal at the College, Paula Blakemore, said: “Mike’s time as Principal here has redefined the College, both for staff and students. His unwavering belief in the science of learning and the undisputable evidence of fact rather than fads has raised ambition in every student that has chosen the College as their destination after Year 11.”

Paula continued: “He has stamped his signature on the way that we teach, with an in-house style that focuses on teachers directing learning but allowing each individual to be just that – an individual. Teachers can be themselves but also have freedom in their classrooms. It’s Mike’s vision that has enabled this and inspired so many staff and students.”

Principal, Mike Kilbride, said of the award shortlisting: “It may sound cliché, but as a leader, you simply cannot make things work without those surrounding you. The staff here are magnanimous in their approach, always delivering the best for the students whom they serve so well. The young people of this entire region are better off for their endeavour and their relentless pursuit of the best possible education.”

Mike concluded: “Being honoured with this shortlisting is gratifying, to say the least, but it also speaks volumes about not doing things for the sake of it. We constantly analyse what we do, always improve, always do the right thing. Convention is one thing; acting upon the evidence is another. We have a whole-College attitude and ethos, and values that run through our core. This is a celebration for everyone, staff and students.”

A programme especially designed for helping students access top university places has been launched once again at the College.

Cambridge University’s HE+ programme is what is termed as a ‘super-curricular’ activity, where students raise both their prospects in university applications and their readiness for study in Higher Education. 

Students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College take part in the scheme each year, and some have been ranked so highly that they have been invited to Cambridge University to compete in the national finals. 

Just last year, Year 2 student Ellie Webster beat huge competition to reach the national finals and is ready to accept offers from a range of Russell Group universities.

The programme involves a research project at degree level within a chosen subject, and our specialist tutor, David Barrigan, oversees support for students who apply to take part. His dedicated help allows students to excel at this activity that boosts university applications and employability to a huge extent.

David said: “We as a college exist to raise aspirations for every student, and our careers programme is all-encompassing. The Cambridge HE+ programme is so beneficial for a lot of students – those who have always had goals to go to the top universities in the country, and those that never thought that possible. 

“The College opens doors for students’ futures, and taking part in this programme is not just worthwhile in terms of getting used to the rigour of university study, but also to add to UCAS applications. It’s looked upon in high regard by universities, and helps students gain places after College that further their ambitions.”
 

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s unrivalled careers support for students was once again highlighted as employers, organisations and universities in the legal field visited to give advice and information.

Students seeking a career in law were treated to a host of different options for further steps after College, with in-depth insight into the pathways they can take, and the different fields within the legal realm that it’s possible to enter into. 

Barristers’ chambers such as Elysium Law and Linenhall Chambers, along with solicitors as Jackson Lees and Bond Turner, and Higher Education options including the University of Liverpool were all in attendance for students to talk to about their personal ambitions and goals.

Some 15% of College students choose to go onto undergraduate degrees in Law and/or Criminology each year, in destinations such as the Universities of London, Sheffield, Leicester and Nottingham.

The expert Law teachers in our department, who provide both A Level and BTEC options, are supported by the Student Development and careers teams to deliver an enviable array of extracurricular activities.

The Young Citizen organisation run the national Bar Mock Trial each year, which our students compete in. It sees students portray the role of barristers in fictional cases, but in real courts in front of real judges. The regional finals take place in Liverpool Crown Courts or Chester Crown Courts, and having beaten local school competition, our teams have gained places at the national finals in The Old Bailey and the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Merseyside Police also came to the College to deliver bespoke talks on Policing and Crime after College time, which was hugely well attended by students fascinated by the inner workings of law enforcement.

Head of Law A Level at the College, Jen Ludwig, said: “It’s such a fantastic opportunity for our students to hear first-hand from people in the law profession, and we ensure every year that each student has access to all the best information for their future career.

“Law is an extremely popular subject at the College: it’s new to the majority of students and not offered everywhere at sixth form level, so it’s exciting for students to discover a path they may not have considered before coming to the College.”

Jen concluded: “If you want to study a subject after GCSE that’s new, relevant to every day life, and get to know how our society is informed by the rules that we’re governed by, then choose to apply for Law here. We as a department are here to support you and get you where you want to be after College.”

To find out more about studying Law at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

To book onto a Subject Taster Session in Law in February / March, click here for more details.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College's final Open Evening for September 2024 entry takes place on Tuesday 30th January. Places are filling fast so click here to book now. 

The New Year promises to bring great things to Birkenhead Sixth Form College and its students, with activities to deliver the best academic results and all-round sixth form education already in full swing this January.

Having been named College of the Year and the Most Inspirational Sixth Form by prestigious educational awards last year, 2024 is set to outperform last year’s unprecedented success.

A Level and BTEC results in summer 2023 broke pre-pandemic records, shunning the national picture of a downturn and setting not just a regional but a national benchmark for achievement within the sixth form sector.

Programmes in place at the College have already seen future doctors supported through their university interview process, and such high aspirations are par for the course for our students, whether the goal is higher education, apprenticeship or employment.

Five current and former doctors, including surgeons and GPs, visited the College in recent days to give bespoke help to the students planning on studying medicine practice for upcoming interviews. Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) is the system used by university recruitment for medicine and carry with them specific demands, so students receiving personal support from people in the profession is invaluable on the route to success.

Careers is a huge focus within College and plays a part in every student’s aims and ambitions, so our careers programme runs throughout the year, and is embedded into everything we do. Some highlights happen occur later this year when students have their choice of visits to leading universities to experience masterclasses, workshops and general student life on campus, before finalising their decisions on where to head next after College.

Futures Day is also an annual event at College, which sees more than 60 universities and organisations visit on a single day to give a range of talks, activities and a careers fair to offer first year students all the information they need to make fully informed choices.
Over 70 students have signed up for new clubs in January after an information event introduced them to the possibilities of extracurricular pursuits.

Every academic year begins with our Freshers’ Fair to open students’ eyes to the clubs, sports and societies on offer here at College. January hosts the ‘Re-Freshers’ Fair’, so those who want to try something new have the opportunity to get involved in fun, exciting and CV-enhancing activities.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “The student experience here at Birkenhead Sixth Form College is quite simply second-to-none. No matter any student’s background, starting point or ambition, our teachers and support staff more than match their needs. 
“Raising aspirations is in our DNA, and that is the case for every individual.

“Our size and the strength of our contacts with universities and employers means that opportunities at the College for students cannot be matched elsewhere. This is one of the many reasons why we’re oversubscribed each year.”  

Mike continued: “Our award-winning careers programme is wide-ranging and thoughtful. We constantly assess how best to help student achieve their goals, and that is from the academic infrastructure established in the classroom to the huge number of activities outside it.

“Our aim is always to ensure that our young people reach beyond what they thought possible. We can see that evidenced in our first generation medical students, our grammar school cohort outperforming other local options, our enviable Sutton 30 university progression, and everything else that we have in place for our students to succeed.

“We believe in every student, perhaps every before they believe in themselves, so there is no better destination after GCSEs than Birkenhead Sixth Form College.”   

Birkenhead Sixth Form College's final Open Evening for September 2024 entry takes place on Tuesday 30th January. Places are filling fast so click here to book now. 

Second year students with a future in medicine have benefitted from a support event run by current and former doctors, including surgeons and GPs.

Six current students have upcoming interviews to secure places at a range of nationwide leading universities to study to become doctors, and five industry experts came into the College to help them with the process.

Medics are expected to pass a gauntlet of Multiple Mini Interviews, or MMIs, to gain their places, and the professionals ran a whole series of practice interviews reflecting the real process to assist in our students being completely prepared for the rigours that lie ahead.

Medicine is renowned for being one of, if not the most, competitive profession to enter into, and our six second years have done outstandingly well in their academic and extracurricular endeavours to have got to a stage to have been offered interviews at universities such as Imperial College London and the University of Liverpool.

Riley Badley-Smith, Bethel Barnieh, Luca Ford, Mohamad Jouma, Faye McLaughlin and Kesh Prasad are all the first generation of their families to enter into medicine, and some of the College’s wide-ranging careers programmes and expert support have played a large part in helping them into the position by raising aspirations.

One of the visiting doctors conducting the mock interviews was former Birkenhead Sixth Form College student, Emily Wagstaff.
Having left the College in 2016, Emily has now completed her studies and is a qualified doctor, having done phenomenally well in her A Levels during her time at the College. 

Coming to us from high school at Woodchurch High, Emily is also a first generation doctor, and said: “All of the students should be confident and proud of the situation that they have in front of them. They have got to the stage of being offered interviews, so their abilities are not in question.

“There is a feeling that people from varying background aren’t accepted into medicine, but that’s just not the case, so any nerves that students have about being out of place can be pushed aside. Also, there are programmes and funding available to help, so that’s definitely worth looking into.”

Emily explained: “When I came to the College, I had no idea about the processes involved or the help available to get to study medicine, but the support systems available here and the people here to help pointed me in the exactly right direction, and was a huge part in me getting to where I am. I benefitted so much from trips, from programmes and from support I simply would not have got anywhere else. They concentrated so much on the individual and their goals and aspirations, and they still do now.”
 

A second year student at Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been impressing judges and the audience at a special charity ‘Strictly’ event as she showed off her dancing prowess.

Bonnie Chadwick took on the role of the ‘professional’ dancer at the show, partnered by amateur Andy as they took to the ballroom floor at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.

Bonnie’s been dancing since she was just three years old, and she was part of the fourth ‘Maggie’s Strictly’ night with the dance company she performs with, Merrall’s Dance Centre in Moreton.

It wasn’t Bonnie’s first Strictly show that she’s taken part in, as she actually came out as the winner of the competition last time out in 2022.

The format of the show sees seasoned dancers paired off with novices in a ballroom dancing contest, with winners being chosen by both judges and the audience, all in aid of raising money for Maggie’s cancer charity based in Clatterbridge. Maggie’s is the chosen partner charity for the College, and Bonnie and her dance partner Andy are still hoping for further donations – click here to go to the fundraising page and contribute.

Joining us from a school in Liverpool last year, Bonnie studies Health & Social Care, Applied Science and Sport, and has her sights set on becoming a physio after finishing at the College in Summer 2024.

Bonnie said: “It’s such a fun thing to get involved in and it’s great to see people who have never danced before having a really good go. It’s lovely to see that a lot of the people who took part last year as amateurs have actually kept it up and are still dancing now. If the opportunity comes around, I’d say to anyone to give it a try. It’s good exercise and you’re actually learning a new technical skill that will stay with you.”

She continued: “We didn’t win but Andy was a great partner and it was so enjoyable. My boyfriend’s mum actually won this year, so that was really nice. I’d hope to be part of it again next year and go one better and win again.

Bonnie and Andy’s Just Giving page raising money for Maggie’s can be found here - Andrew Connor is fundraising for Maggie's Centres (justgiving.com)

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been named the ‘Most Inspirational Sixth Form’ at one of the most prestigious awards in education.

Educate Awards celebrates the finest schools, colleges, teachers and support staff, and the College beat competition from three other finalists to be honoured with the most inspirational title.

The glittering awards ceremony took place at Liverpool Cathedral and staff from the college took to the stage to collect the award, after two previous accolades this year, making it an unprecedented triple crown of educational awards in 2023. Another leading awards body, Educate North Awards, gave the college the title of College of the Year 2023 in April, while the Sixth Form Colleges association recognised the institution’s commitment to ensuring that all young people are afforded the same opportunities with the Social Mobility Award.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College staff at the awards ceremony in Liverpool Cathedral with the Educate Award for Most Inspirational Sixth Form

The awards come in a year that saw record breaking A Level results at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, with high grades of A* - B in the summer beating pre-pandemic levels. The ‘Most Inspirational’ award, sponsored by Liverpool John Moores University, acknowledged not only academic success but the all round student experience on offer, and the platforms for the future that the College provides to its students every year.

Educate Awards judges said: “Birkenhead Sixth Form College draws inspiration from science and evidence, which is seen in its remarkable success and increasing A Level achievements. Through its unwavering commitment to providing opportunities to every young person, it serves as a shining example for social mobility, collecting numerous accolades and truly standing out for its impactful work.”

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “This is a truly special award for us to win and it means a great deal to all staff and our students. Never has the wording and notion of an award been more apt for us – ‘most inspirational’. It’s what our staff do day in and day out: they inspire the next generation of this region’s young people to be the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be.”

Mike continued: “The reason that this award is most pleasing is that it celebrates all aspects of what being a student at Birkenhead Sixth Form College is all about. The opportunities for personal growth and furthering yourself to unlock doors for the future are just unrivalled. The students get back even more than they put in, with our expert teachers and support staff working tirelessly to help students reach and even surpass their own potential.

“To win three awards in a year is remarkable, but it is no more than our students and staff deserve. I’m incredibly proud to lead an organisation that does the right thing every time, even when it might be the harder thing to do. We meet every challenge head-on and we are absolutely certain that we can take every student to the next level, no matter which high school they come from or what their educational or personal background may be. The college is a place for everyone to be inspired, inside and outside of the classroom.”

Halloween Fest is an annual celebration at the College which brings students and staff together to have some fun on the spookiest day of the year.

With the College hallways decked out with creepy decorations and activities going on all day, it makes for an enjoyable occasion to get involved or merely appreciate everyone else’s efforts.

The competition for the best dressed student always yields some outstanding results, with costumes ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, frightening to funny. This year’s winner was Reece in his magnificent The Mask outfit, and he walked away with a £25 Amazon gift voucher, while there were plenty of other honourable mentions, which can be seen in the collection on photographs from the day.

The canteen staff in 8SQ pulled out all the stops, both in terms of decoration and stunning food, which despite some ghastly names for the day such as dead man’s fingers and crispy toe nails, was delicious.

Cake sales, scary movie showings and glow-in-the-dark sports also contributed to a great day, and the students’ efforts of organising the participating in the event makes the entire occasion a fantastic time of the year.

Look out for Christmas Fest 2023 coming in December…

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been shortlisted for being the ‘most inspirational sixth form’ by the largest education awards in the North West.

Educate Awards named the College as one of just four Further Education colleges in the region for the award, which recognises high ambitions for every student with outstanding teaching and support.

The shortlisting comes after another educational awards named Birkenhead Sixth Form College ‘College of the Year 2023’ earlier this year, and A Level results in the summer at the College broke pre-pandemic records.

Despite being a non-selective institution, the percentage of students at the College who had the option of grammar school education after high school achieving high grades of A* - B was 73%. Students join the College, which is the only specialist sixth form in the area, from more than 60 different high schools in Wirral, Merseyside, Cheshire and beyond each year. 

Educate Awards were established in 2012 and the ceremony this year takes place at Liverpool Cathedral on Friday 17th November, where a total of 20 awards are up for grabs and the finest schools, colleges, teachers and support staff come together to celebrate their achievements.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “There is something about this award shortlisting being for ‘most inspirational’ sixth form that means the most to us, because it truly reflects what we stand for at this college. We are in the business of changing lives and the opportunities that we work hard each and every day to offer students see them develop both academically and personally.

“Students achieve more with us than they would do anywhere else in the region, and results proved that again this year, but it’s the people that they become in the process and during the college experience that matters too. We inspire for them to aspire, and they meet their ambitions and goals every year, without question.”

Mike concluded: “To be named as one of only four institutions shortlisted for this award speaks volumes about the success of our students, but it’s also important to recognise the staff for such an accolade. Their expertise and unrelenting commitment to their students’ education and personal development is astounding, but not surprising at this college. We don’t just spring into action come exam season: every interaction with students is vital; every lesson counts. That is what is inspiring for young people, and I am proud that this award nomination celebrates that.” 
 

Students taking part in a programme run by Cambridge University to widen participation have been officially recognised for their excellent work in completing the challenges set to them.

The Cambridge HE+ programme aims to provide support for students to access highly selective university choices, and three Year 2 students at the College have received their certificates of excellence after collecting remarkably high scores on their assessment pieces.

Abbey Wilkinson and Joel Bennett registered marks of between 18-21, making them high achievers in the programme, and Ellie Webster even went one better and is now into the national final at Cambridge later this year, competing against other students from 19 different schools and colleges across the country. 

Indeed, Ellie is applying to study at Cambridge, looking to undertake a degree in Law as she aims to become a barrister.

The HE+ programme, which is described as a ‘super-curricular’ activity, involves an extended research project and written piece where students create their own questions to answer and consider but within a framework that Cambridge University sets, so in these three students’ cases, Abbey posed some challenging questions about the environment, Ellie looked philosophically yet practically at parental responsibilities and imprisonment for murder, while Joel’s project was based on the political concept of capitalism.

Personal tutor and Second in Student Development David Barrigan runs the HE+ programme at the College for those looking to progress to Oxbridge after finishing A Levels, working alongside the students to bring the best out of their projects, but also the entire experience of taking part and the step up to Oxbridge.

David said: “The HE+ programme helps students understand the demands of Oxbridge study, but is also a fantastic programme to promote these opportunities to those from less privileged background or under-represented areas or backgrounds. These are committed, hard-working students who perhaps had not had the opportunity to even think of Oxbridge as a realistic destination before, but we know that with the right attitude, that any avenue can be open to any student.

“Places at Oxford and Cambridge are not just for public school, private school or grammar school students. Our results prove that students here outperform their grammar school contemporaries, so that is why all of our students have the chance to access the top universities in the country.”

David concluded: “These three have done exceptionally well in their projects and richly deserve their certificates and recognition. We are all wishing Ellie the very best in the national finals where she will do herself and everyone at the College proud.”
 

The Anatomy Lab, stars of the BBC and the Discovery Channel, have visited the College to give students an experience that was certainly not for the feint-hearted.

In a live dissection experience, Biology A Level students got hands on with animal body parts in order to learn more about the human body and its functions, in a morning that was literally full of blood and guts.

Dr Sam Piri tours the country as The Post-Mortem Live and delivers extremely engaging sessions academically, but then blends that with allowing students to get involved and test their mettle dealing with the different organs and offal, removing eyes, cutting with scalpels and performing all manner of stomach-churning tasks to further their knowledge.

The post-mortem course is broken down into sessions focused on the different body areas, but starts with learning about the approaches and technical skills. Dr Piri then moves on to concentrating on the head and neck, where students don the gloves and perform cavity dissections including the brain, meninges and spinal cord, before session three looks at the thorax. 

Session four on the intestines and associated body parts rounds off a day that Biology students will never forget for all the right reasons, where so many others would want to forget straight away.

BE WARNED: If you keep scrolling, you are going to see some particularly gruesome images!

Final year student Chloe Salisbury has beaten the odds to achieve exceptional BTEC results and secure her first choice of university place.

A looked after child from a young age, and living with a visual impairment disability, Chloe achieved Merits and Distinctions at Birkenhead Sixth Form College in her Level 3 BTECs. She will now go on to study Sports & Exercise Science at Edge Hill University at degree level. 

Only 6% of care leavers looked after in England including adoptions went on to higher education in 2022, and there remains major barriers for those with a visual impairment to equitably access education to fulfil potential. 

Chloe also became the first female on both sides of her family to be offered a degree place at university.

Chloe said: “I can’t stop smiling. I was worried I might have failed, but I got higher grades than I expected. Thank you to everyone who has supported me get this far - teachers, support staff and my foster family. I am so happy. Birkenhead Sixth Form College got me to where I want to be.”

She continued: “I chose Edge Hill University because of the course and also their response to supporting people with visual impairment. The open days and their accessible and positive communication with me gave me the confidence to choose them over others.”

Jo, visual support worker since Chloe was three, said: “You deserve everything Chloe. Enjoy the moment.”

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “I’m extremely proud that Chloe allowed us to be her choice of sixth form education. Her achievements are remarkable and she is the embodiment of the resilience that the College ethos is all about. I have absolutely no doubt that her next steps in education and beyond will be resoundingly successful and everyone at the College wishes her the best of luck in the future.”
 

Birkenhead Sixth Form College students have been celebrating today as their A Level results have broken records.

Over 650 students received their results and each is an individual success story, with choices for the future opened to them through their hard work and commitment to reaching their full potential.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s percentage of grades A*, A and B was up on 2019 levels, with 44.79% of all results being high grades.

Niamh Huxley achieved AAA at A Level

The College is also confident that after some anomalies have been ironed out, that figure will increase further, maintaining the College’s upward trajectory of outstanding performance.

Despite being a non-selective institution, the percentage of students at the College who had the option of grammar school education after high school achieving high grades was over 70%. Students join the College, which is the only specialist sixth form in the area, from more than 60 different high schools in Wirral, Merseyside, Cheshire and beyond each year. 

There were more than 1400 individual A Levels sat at Birkenhead Sixth Form College this summer, and BTEC students also performed superbly, with 96% of BTEC Diploma students being rewarded with the grades of Distinction* or Distinction.

Three students collecting results all went to primary school together

Over 80% of the College’s students will now head to university in September, with a significant number being the first generation in their family to do so. Many students have secured places at the UK’s leading universities, including the prestigious Russell Group and Oxbridge institutions.

Amongst the stories from results day was Callum Griffiths, who is now going to Cambridge to study Natural Sciences having joined the College from The Birkenhead Park School. His A*, A* and an A in Biology, Chemistry and Physics secured him a place to follow his dream of working in environmental issues.

Callum's off to Pembroke College in Cambridge University

Niamh Huxley’s three As in History, Law and Psychology saw her start to pursue a career as a solicitor with a degree in law at the University of Liverpool, while Cam Woolley is entering into a degree apprenticeship in marketing as he seeks to further his entrepreneurial skills.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “This year’s A Level and BTEC results are further testament to the hard work of the students and staff at the College, but also gives validation for our approach. If you look after the every day processes, the outcomes look after themselves. Every interaction counts as does every lesson, and the proof of that is in the results that students now leave the College having achieved.”

Results Day was also Ellie's 18th birthday, and she's celebrating going off to study adult nursing

Mike continued: “What education at this College does is give young people choices. The future careers of all of our students are many and varied, but they leave here with doors opened for them, whether they come here from a grammar school or any other high school. To see such a huge number of students that we have each year thrive and meet or exceed their potential is what we make our business. But the students are the ones that achieve those things. They are our biggest asset, and today is their day of celebration. We congratulate each and every one of them for their successes.”

The entire cohort of Year 1 students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College rounded off the end of the summer term by visiting a range of leading universities in the North of England.

The visits further enhance students’ insights into what the next steps after College could hold, and give them hands-on experience of what they can expect from life at university.

All students were given a choice of destination to visit across two days at the end of term, and set off across the country to either The University of Sheffield, The University of Leeds, The University of Liverpool, Lancaster University, UCLan, Liverpool John Moores University or Edge Hill University.

The students particularly enjoyed tours of the various campuses, getting a real sense of what it’s like to be an undergraduate student and life both in and outside of the lecture theatre.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College was the first sixth form college in the country to be awarded the Quality in Careers Standard award three years ago, and has recently been recertified with the accolade. It recognises excellence in careers provision and the College’s commitment to ensuring that our students leave us after completing A Levels, BTECs or T Levels with the best possible doors open for their future, whether that’s university, apprenticeships or employment.

Around 80% of our final years students choose to go onto university each year, and the number of students who progress to the prestigious Sutton 30 universities has been hailed as ‘remarkable’ by the Sixth Form Colleges Association.

Director of Student Development and Careers Leader at the College, Jo Wood, said: “The students overwhelmingly reported the trips to the universities to be a positive and very worthwhile experience which they’ve gained plenty of knowledge from to help them with choices going forward.

“The trips are just one component of a careers programme that stretches from the time that students first join us to after their final exams, as our dedicated tutor team help broaden students’ horizons through the tutorial programme, assemblies, careers fairs, careers appointments with our specialist advisers, the annual Futures Day and much more.”

Jo continued: “Coming to this College encompasses a lot more than just academic achievement in the classroom. Our students leave us as well-rounded individuals, equipped with everything they need for their futures in work and beyond. We will always keep working to evolve our careers provision to do the best for every student and make sure they are prepared for life after College. Although the UCAS university application process is well underway for our first years, these trips to universities have inspired the students to think deeply over the summer break about decisions next year and where their own path will take them after their achievements at College.”

For more on the College’s careers programme, click here.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has won the Sixth Form Colleges Association Award for Social Mobility 2023, recognising its huge success in students progressing to the country’s top universities.

The Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) represents nearly 120 sixth form colleges and other providers of ages 16 – 19 education across the country, and their annual awards are for exceptional work in the sector. The Social Mobility award win is a celebration of Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s place in the community as a raiser of aspirations and a facilitator of opening doors for young people.

More than 500 students from the College go on to study for undergraduate degrees after finishing at the College, with many being the first generation in their families to do so.

Student progression to the esteemed Sutton 30 universities, revered as the best institutions in the country, was deemed ‘remarkable’ by the SFCA, with the College outstripping the national average of students heading to the ‘red brick’ Higher Education providers.

The SFCA award win comes after the prestigious Educate North Awards named the College ‘College of the Year 2023’ for being a ‘truly outstanding sixth form college’ in wake of students’ achievements last summer and throughout the year. While the national picture saw a marked decline in high grades due to students sitting actual exams for the first time since Covid restrictions, the College’s high grades rocketed by 15%.

The SFCA said: “This year’s winner for social mobility is Birkenhead Sixth Form College, both for their targeted work on university aspirations with students from less affluent backgrounds, and their general approach of providing an excellent comprehensive education, which has yielded brilliant results in difficult times.”

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “We as a College exist to enhance young people’s lives. We work in the belief that every person can succeed given purposeful hard work and the right teaching, support and guidance.”

Mike continued: “What a testament it is to the teachers at the College that they can raise the aspirations of both the most fortunate and unfortunate in experiences in education before joining us, and this award is just recognition of that. You can come to us from a high-performing grammar school or an underperforming high school, and our teaching and all-round College offering will bring the best out of you, personally and academically. 

“I would like to thank all the staff for this award win. Their work each and every day with young people serves this community in such a positive way that it will have an effect for generations to come.”
 

A former Birkenhead Sixth Form College has just returned from Washington DC where he was presenting to law enforcement agencies including the FBI.

Jack Fitzpatrick was part of the College’s Class of 2019 and is now studying for his PhD at Liverpool John Moores in partnership with Merseyside Police. 

The focus of Jack’s work is ‘modern policing in the 21st Century for inclusive cultural shift’, and his recent research trip to the States was part of him looking into diversity and inclusion in Law enforcement. 

Jack said that the highlight of the trip was giving a presentation to the FBI’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion, where afterwards he was presented with a certificate of appreciation by the Director of the department.

Jack is also joining one of his colleagues in Merseyside Police at the College’s Futures Day on Friday 7th July, which is a day dedicated to first year students receiving talks and visiting fairs with over 60 businesses, organisations and universities to discover what their next steps after College might hold. Jack, who studied A Levels in History, Politics and Media while with us,  will be talking to students about his journey from diagnosis of autism and DCD (dyspraxia) to earning a PhD, as he aims to inspire our current cohort about their career path options.

Director of Learning Support at the College, James King, said: “Jack was always passionate about helping people, especially those with additional learning needs, so working within policing and trying to make beneficial changes is the perfect fit for him.

“He was a big character and extremely popular around the College so it will be great to have him back for Futures Day.”

Jack said: “I found my time at the College absolutely amazing due to the level of support provided and the experiences, as well as the very high standard of teaching.

“I had fantastic Learning Support Assistants at the College. I could not thank them enough. They were brilliant and went with me on many different public speaking events that the College provided me with as well as extracurricular activities such as trips to London. The whole College could not have been more welcoming.”
 

A team of students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College has won the regional heats of the European Youth Parliament competition.

The contest is an international affair, and winning the regional competition now sees the team of eight students heading for the national final.
Joel Bennett, Charlotte Buckley, Oliver Chesters, Izzy Hall, Eli Hardy, Olivia Poole, Harry Poole and Thomas Sheridan represented the College and came away as winners, competing against grammar schools and other sixth forms across the region. 

The European Youth Parliament (EYP) is one of Europe’s largest youth platforms for civic education, intercultural encounters and the exchange of ideas amongst young people, and their mission is to inspire and empower a young generation of informed, open-minded, responsible and active citizens that shape society and drive impact. 

The competition sees young people bringing debate to the table and the winners are chosen on the merit and delivery of their opinions, which have to be researched thoroughly and backed up with evidence.

Operating across 40 different European countries since 1987, the EYP is considered amongst the most prestigious contests for debate and political knowledge and understanding, and the team did the College proud by winning – for the second year in a row.

Head of Politics at the College, Jane Cavanagh said: “I’m incredibly very proud of our team. They worked so well as a team, communicating brilliantly between each other and ensuring that each member contributed. This is also what the judges singled out as a particular strength. EYP is a brilliant event that enables young people to build their confidence in public speaking and debating and to develop their team building skills.”

For more details of studying Politics A Level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been named the best in the North of England by a prestigious education awards.

Educate North Awards celebrates excellence in the education sector in the North, and the College was chosen as Further Education College of the Year 2023 by the panel of judges.

The award follows Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s extraordinary A Level results in Summer 2022, bucking the national trend of a downturn in high grades after students sat final exams for the first time since COVID-19 lockdowns. The College secured a 15% increase in grades A* - B with students sitting exams for the first time, as opposed to struggling with the new demands.

An Ofsted inspection which found the College to be outstanding in all areas was succeeded by a flurry of national and regional awards, including the UK Sixth Form College of the Year from TES (formerly the Times Education Supplement), along with a number of accolades celebrating the College’s commitment to social mobility and helping disadvantaged young people to succeed.

With the largest number of students of any sixth form in Wirral, the College supports students from an entire range of backgrounds and starting points to achieve success at A Level, BTEC and T Level education. Students join the College from more than 60 different high schools each year, some with lower achievement at GCSE and some with higher, but the value that Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s teaching adds to all students’ results regularly leads the way in the region.

Educate North Awards judges said: " A truly outstanding sixth form college with a drive to constantly improve their processes, infrastructure and develop ways to get the most out of their students. Their approach to education is admirable, with an ethos that everyone can succeed, backed by impressive grades and statistics in the area."

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “To just be named as a finalist for such awards is vindication enough of the superb teaching and support the College provides and how much our students benefit from being here, but to win is the icing on the cake.
“We will not shy away from being proud of these kind of achievements because they come as the result of the systems and the ethos that the entire College works to, both staff and students. We look after the everyday: every interaction counts, every lessons counts, therefore the results at the end look after themselves.”

Mike continued: “Whilst the Wirral has a huge number of grammar school and high school sixth form options, this award is further proof that there is a different path for students to take after GCSEs, and one that is evidentially successful. The experience of coming to this College is simply different to anywhere else in the area, in the best possible way.

“Students make a fresh start here, no matter where they come from. We’re in the business of changing lives and we see it year upon year due to the fantastic teaching and support our students receive. The Educate North Award cements our place as a national leader in Further Education and leaves no doubt that young people in Wirral, Merseyside and Cheshire have a local option to upgrade their education after high school.”

The Educate North Awards were held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on Thursday 27th April 2023. Birkenhead Sixth Form College beat seven other North of England finalists to the FE College of the Year Award.

To apply for a place at the College in September 2023 via our quick and easy online application form, click here.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has cemented its place as a leader in careers provision with a re-awarding of the national Quality in Careers Standard accolade.

The award recognises careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) provided to students throughout their time at College, with students leaving with all of the information and support to make informed choices about their next steps.

The College became the first sixth form college in the country to be award the Quality in Careers Standard three years ago, and a reassessment from inspectors confirmed that the award would be renewed due to the high class provision of careers across both subjects and through the tutorial programme.

All students at the College are allocated an assigned tutor for their two years with us, and the tutor is the first port of call for all careers support. The tutorial programme includes support for university, apprenticeship or employment progressions after College, with both small group tutorials and one-to-one sessions creating the backbone of the student experience.

Online careers hub Unifrog is used for all students for the latest labour market information, course options at university, personal statement writing and more. As well as the assigned tutor, students have access to our in-house careers specialists and can make appointments for personal bespoke advice. 

A range of fairs throughout the year sees visitors coming to the College to let students know more information of the vast range of options at their fingertips, and the first year culminates in Futures Day, where more than 60 organisations come to speak to students to get them as informed as possible.

The Quality in Careers Standard assessment summarised: “The College takes the delivery of comprehensive CEIAG very seriously. There is clear commitment from the Senior Management Team and Governors.

“Students are very well supported and have access to an enriched programme that includes activities and experiences provided through a range of employer and FE, and HE encounters. The College continues to provide dedicated support to all students. The College is committed to the provision of high quality CEIAG.”

The College was also praised for making the assessors job ‘easy’ as the provision was so comprehensive yet easy to understand.

Director of Student Development and Careers Leader at the College, Jo Wood, said: “Careers at Birkenhead Sixth Form College is not an afterthought or something that’s done once in every while to tick a box – careers advice and support runs through everything we do.

“From the moment a student applies to come to the College in their last year at high school, we support each person to make informed decisions on their course choices at sixth form, influenced by their future goals. And that’s just the start of what we do.

Jo continued: “The teachers here work careers advice into their subjects and let students know about potential career paths utilising their subjects, while tutors all have a wealth of experience in supporting students to open doors to jobs and careers that suit them as individuals. The careers programme at the College is delivered in a structured framework, yet we continually drive home messages of support, and will always strive to evolve to give the best to all of our students.”

For more on the College’s careers programme, click here.

Staff and students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College took to the bikes in a competition to ride the furthest in an all-day event to raise money for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal.

In the seven-and-a-half hour cycling challenge, 461km were covered on the College’s exercise bikes, with 45 students and a dozen staff taking part in the round-robin.

The students had two people on the bikes at every stage of the day between 9am – 4:30pm and rode out eventual winners, covering 241km compared to the staff’s 220km, much to the displeasure of the teachers.

Of course, fingers were pointed at the fact that students had two bicycles compared to just the one for the staff, but the teachers eventually agreed to not use mathematical equations to work out the technicalities of the unfairness and accepted their loss.

Physics teacher Richard Newby was the star of the show, clocking up a truly impressive 55km on his own, while College Principal Mike Kilbride also took part in his favourite sport and pastime of cycling.

Along with having some competitive fun in the College community, the event was also an opportunity to highlight the extent of the crisis caused by the 6th February earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria earlier this year. Nearly 60,000 people died as the result of the impact in the two countries, and 14 million people were affected.

Organising the event was Head of Year 0, Claire Morgan, and Sport teacher, Nick Whittaker, who explained: “It’s vital that our students understand events outside of our own lives and work, so raising money and awareness of such a tragedy was extremely important. Volunteering and fundraising is also part of our Year 0 programme for students studying to step up to A Levels next year, so it was great to see so many of them involved.

“As well as donating though, these sort of events create a real buzz around College and contribute to our College community. Competitions between staff and students is always great fun, and no one ever likes to lose – not least teachers! Everyone put in a great effort though, and it was fantastic to see all of the bikes occupied from the first minute until the last.”

Donations to the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal can still be made online by clicking here (scroll to the bottom of the page)  

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s Spring production of Grease went down a storm with audiences across two nights, as students put their acting, singing, dancing and musicianship skills under the spotlight.

With a cast selected from all year groups within College, and a band of student musicians to accompany them, the hard work in preparation for the Spring spectacular paid off with dividends as fellow students, staff and visiting friends and family enjoyed an all-singing, all-dancing musical with slicked back hair and polka dots.

Seb Reynolds and Olivia Clark led the ensemble as central characters Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson, serenading each other with such classics as ‘Summer Lovin’’ and ‘You’re The One That I Want’, while other iconic songs were performed during the story of summer romance by the rest of the cast as the T-Birds and Pink Ladies.

The show was directed by Head of Drama, Sian Murray, with Head of Music Alec Hulton conducting the band. Head of Dance, Kirsty Thornton, also choreographed the famous ‘hand jive’ scene, as all elements of the performing arts worked together to come up with a seamlessly slick performance of the ‘70s favourite.

A production of Grease was originally on the cards for March 2020 with a wholly different cast of students from that year group, but all their hard work in rehearsal was curtailed with the show having to be cancelled due to COVID-19. This set of gifted performers picked up the mantle this year and gave a performance to remember.

Sian said after the show: “This group have worked so hard over the previous few months to pull this off, and they absolutely smashed it. They’ve spent their own free time rehearsing and practising the songs, and they deserve their moment in the spotlight.

“Annual productions are a big undertaking for students as they all have their academic studies to prioritise, but I’m sure all the students in this cast will tell others that committing to activities outside the classroom is so rewarding, and they’ve made friends for life by meeting people that they never would have met otherwise.”

Sian explained: “Getting out of your comfort zone is a really important life skill and to see where the students have got to from their starting point of rehearsing to now is just testament to how much it can develop you as a person. They’ve been a pleasure to work with and the applause at the end of the show will stay with them for a long time. Huge congratulations to all of them.”

The annual College production is among other events that showcase the performance culture at the College, such as December’s ‘Masked Performer’ with students taking to the stage in disguise to deliver superb vocal renditions of their favourite songs, and the audience having to guess who it was under the mask. The Dance students also put on an annual showcase, with themes running through their brilliantly choreographed and highly-skilled routines.

For more on studying one of our performing arts subjects at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click one of the subject titles below:
Dance
Drama & Theatre Studies
Music: Digital Production

Students taking Dance A Level were praised for performing and choreographing like university level students while presenting their classwork at an esteemed theatre in Higher Education.

The Capstone Theatre is based at Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus, and Birkenhead Sixth Form College were invited to bring our dancers to perform alongside undergraduates and other dance schools across Merseyside.

‘We Love Dance’ was a student event management project that included groups from toddler to the over 50s, and involved working with other choreographers, lighting and sound technicians, videographers and more in a professional environment for hands-on experience.

The A Level students impressed to such an extent during the performance that the university’s Dance lecturer compared them to undergraduate standard, which bodes well for all of their future university pathways and beyond.

The Year 1 Dance students performed their repertoire to Regina Spektor’s ‘Laughing With’, while the Year 2s were accompanied by a fusion of Beyonce, James Blake’s ‘Forward’ and Olafur Arnald’s ‘This Place Was Shelter’.

Dance teacher at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Kirsty Thornton, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the dancers to experience the full spectrum of elements for a large-scale show, and soak in what it would be like to be a professional. They performed exceptionally well and to get such positive feedback from the experts was really pleasing but also well deserved."

Kirsty explained: “The students also got the chance to work with current university students who were doing a range of different courses, combining Dance with other disciplines such as Education, Media, Film and others, which really opened their eyes to the possibilities of taking dance forward in terms of university and careers.

“Dance at A Level is fun, challenging and rewarding, and taking part in shows such as this is such a brilliant opportunity to expand their learning and personal development. The training and performance elements involved prepare students for so much more outside of just dancing too, developing confidence, organisation, planning, teamwork and so many other transferable skills that broaden their horizons in every way. 

“Both year groups deserve huge credit for their choreography and performance, but also for the way that they conducted themselves in a professional arena.”

You can follow our dancers on Instagram at bsfc_dance, and click here for the highlight reel from the show, or here for the 'from studio to stage' reel.

For more on studying Dance at A Level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here. 

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been named as a finalist for a prestigious award for the best Further Education College of the Year in the North of England.

Educate North Awards celebrates excellence in the education sector in the North, and the College has been recognised as a leader and innovator in the field of sixth form provision.

The award shortlisting comes as Birkenhead Sixth Form College bucked the national trend of a downturn in A Level results in 2022 following Covid measures for awarding grades without sitting formal exams. Where the picture in the UK saw high grades fall following a return to students taking exams, the College’s high grades jumped 15%.

The reputation of students’ achievements at the College has led to increasing demand for places year upon year, and so further investment on the site overlooking Birkenhead Park has been necessary to cope. Completion of the £1.35m building of another nine classrooms and study areas on the Shrewsbury Road end of the campus is imminent, having already extended capacity with further government funding in 2019, establishing the Psychology block.

Performance measures released in January showed that students at the College who might have chosen grammar school sixth forms performed considerably better at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, with 80% achieving high grades of A* - B at A Level.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “Being recognised for such renowned awards in education is a pleasure for us as teachers, but most importantly it shows that students in the local area have a genuine high class alternative option after GCSEs. We have a real commitment to the Wirral and hope our community is proud to have us at their service.

“We have previously been winners of Educate North Awards, and one that stands out was acknowledging our commitment to social mobility. We believe that every student can achieve great things, no matter their background or starting point with us, and that runs through the core of everything we do.”

Mike continued: “We have an outstanding body of teachers and support staff here and this award rightly recognises their fantastic work. It’s also vitally important to appreciate our students in this though, as their drive to better themselves when they come here makes all the hard work worthwhile. They are a credit to us and to the community.” 

To apply online for a place at Birkenhead Sixth Form College in September 2023 after Year 11, click here.
 

Future lawyers at Birkenhead Sixth Form College were treated to an excellent insight into the career path as more than 20 law firms, apprenticeship providers and universities visited for the College’s annual Law Fair, including some familiar faces.

Law is one of the most popular subjects for students to study at A Level or BTEC when they come to the College after GCSEs, and is often chosen by the students to continue studying at undergraduate level when they leave or to gain apprenticeships or employment in the legal arena.

With leading employers coming to the fair to speak to students about possible options after their two years with us, some included our formers students who are now flying high in their careers having started their journeys by studying at the College. 

Storm Evans is now a trainee solicitor with Weightmans, a top 45 UK law firm, having studied at the College between 2014 – 2016. Formerly of Upton Hall School before joining the College at sixth form, Storm also took A Levels in English Language and Media Studies before opting to go into Law at university, before gaining employment at the leading law firm’s Liverpool offices.

She said: “It was great to see so many keen students at such a young age!”

Storm with the College's Head of A Level Law, Jen

Representing Slater and Gordon, another leading international law firm, Jennifer Brunt is another former Birkenhead Sixth Form College student, who is now head of the company’s law team in Liverpool. 

Jennifer said: “I left the College in 1997 having studies Psychology, French and English Literature before going into teacher training at university. I went into being a legal clerk, having not really known what it meant! But by 2011 I was one of the youngest heads of department at the company and I’m now a principal lawyer.”

Head of Law A Level at the College, Jen Ludwig, said: “The fair was such a great opportunity for our students to see where a career in law could take them, and it brought real life success stories of real people into focus.

“Careers in law have so many different pathways and options, so the sky’s the limit as far as future goals go for our students. As they could see, students who came here have gone on to do some fantastic things in the area of law and what they do in their studies here can set them up for life.”

Jen concluded: “Law is always a popular option for our students going on to university after finishing with us, but even that is just the start of what they can achieve. The A Level or BTEC they take in Law can open so many doors and open their eyes to the world around us, as we see law in action every single day.”

To find out more about studying Law at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College students have significantly outperformed the national average for GCSE resit results, which includes two Ukrainian refugees sitting English GCSE for the first time.

Nationally recognised for outstanding results at A Level, Birkenhead Sixth Form College has another string to its bow in offering a second chance to students who had failed Maths and English at high school.

The national average pass rate was measured at 20% in 2022 after a full year of resit study, with exams taken in the summer. Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s pass rates of 53% in Maths and 72% in English Language are made all the more remarkable given that students had only been studying at the College for just three months and turned their fortunes around when taking the exams in November.

Pass rates at Birkenhead Sixth Form College for students taking GCSEs is expected to rise to 75% and 90% in those respective subjects by the end of the academic year. 

Among the students to receive their superb results were Sofiia Bobyr and Tetiana Nimko, who arrived in the UK in summer 2022 having had to flee the war in Ukraine with Russia. 

Both teenagers succeeded in being awarded grade 4 and 5s, 5 being a high pass, in Maths and English while sitting exams in a second language, which is a phenomenal achievement having not even lived in the country for a year yet.

In an initiative called ‘Year 0’, a number of students join Birkenhead Sixth Form College who did not achieve the entry requirements for A Level standard study, where they will complete a foundation year programme including Maths and / or English Language GCSEs before moving up to sixth form level education. Many of these students each year go on to universities and apprenticeship programmes that they may not have thought possible given their position when finishing high school.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “Our results in Maths and English GCSE resits continue to be some of the most impressive in the country year-on-year, with the teachers in each subject managing to get students to levels that even they didn’t think they were capable of. 

“It’s worth remembering that for the majority of these students, they have studied for these exams for five years at their high schools and not managed to pass the terminal exams, but given less than three months at the College, they are achieving a bare minimum of a pass, if not going into the range of high grades. It speaks volumes about the ability of the teachers here in the classrooms and being able to get students to reach their full potential.”

Mike continued: “Whilst we are a specialist sixth form and a stepping stone to university for most, we also recognise that some students have not been afforded opportunities in education that others have. Huge numbers will have felt marginalised by the age of 11 through the 11+ entry process to grammar schools and never had the confidence to succeed in academia. We pride ourselves on identifying those students and ensuring that the same opportunities are granted to them as everyone else.”
 

Evidence given by students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been used in a major report warning that the UK will not meet the 2050 Net Zero target without the Government encouraging people to adopt new technologies or change our behaviours.

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee’s report is calling on the government to learn from examples of where it enabled behaviour change, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide clarity and lead by example on how we travel, what we eat and buy, and how we use energy at home.

The College was one of six education establishments selected from across the UK that gave evidence to the committee as part of its inquiry into mobilising action for behaviour change. The students provided their insights on approaches to tackling the climate crisis through behaviour change from the perspective of young people.

Points raised by the students included the importance of communicating the scale of change required through a variety of forms of media, labelling food and clothing with information about their sustainability and carbon emissions resulting from their production and transportation, plus the Government leading by example and using regulation and taxation to encourage behaviour change.

They also stressed the importance of education on climate and environmental issues in both formal and informal settings.

Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, Baroness Parminter, said:“After a summer of record temperatures, fires and hose pipe bans, it has never been more apparent that the twin crises of climate change and nature loss demand an immediate and sustained response."

Baroness Parminter visited the College to speak to students earlier this year

“It is vital that young people have a voice in telling the Government what changes need to be made to ensure we achieve net zero by 2050.”
The College will continue to work with the Committee until January 2023 as part of its youth engagement programme.

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change committee report and recommendations can be viewed on the House of Lords’ website or by following @HLEnviroClimate on Twitter.
 

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has once again outperformed the national standard in terms of student progression to the country’s top universities, with a quarter of all A Level students in 2022 going on to the leading 30 universities in the country.

The most highly competitive universities in the UK such as Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews make up the group called the Sutton 30, where entry criteria is considerably higher than others. The percentage of the College’s students that gain places at these prestigious universities is significantly higher than the national average, according to the latest data from the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA).

The recently released analysis revealed that nearly 25% of Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s students go on to study at Sutton 30 universities, with the data behind that making even more astounding reading.

The number of students expected to gain places at these top universities is estimated based on GCSE results. The analysis compares expected progression to these universities versus actual progression, with colleges typically being expected to be anywhere between plus 3% or minus 3% of that rate. Birkenhead Sixth Form College has a level of plus 7%, with the author of the analysis for the SFCA, Nick Allen, saying: “Anyone securing a score of +6.0% or higher by this measure is doing a remarkable job.”

Nationally again, the percentage of students that gain university places from sixth form colleges is 67%, where Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s is a massive 11% higher at 78%, with raising aspirations for students at the forefront of everything we do.

The team of tutors within Student Development guide every student through their sixth form journey, helping new students settle in and then supporting them through their applications to university and apprenticeships while also concentrating on monitoring academic progress of each student.

Director of Student Development and Careers Leader, Jo Wood, explained: “As a team, we seek to unlock possibilities for every student. Some students may never have considered university as an option after sixth form, but through our tutorial programme we get all the vital information to each individual so that they know where their academic success can take them.”

Jo continued: “We have a range of additional programmes in place too, working with leading universities to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities afforded to them, no matter their background or starting point. Programmes range from accessing courses such as medicine and engineering to securing offers at university for law, finance and more when such things might have been unthinkable beforehand. We make sure that everyone has a level playing field.”

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “When we say that we’re the most successful sixth form in the region, we really mean it, and we back it up with data such as this report. To go beyond what is deemed remarkable by any other standard is what we do by default. Our students do themselves proud each and every year, and their success is paramount, but we must also acknowledge what both the teachers and the pastoral team do every day to ensure that success. 

“Raising aspirations and opening doors to a future that may not have been possible elsewhere is the core of our institutional being, so to see so many students accessing the most elite universities in the country, and therefore unlocking huge career potential, is deeply gratifying for all the staff, all the students and also their parents.”

To apply for a place at Birkenhead Sixth Form College after GCSEs starting in September 2023, click here.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is investing over one-and-a-half million pounds in expanding multiple facilities to accommodate increasing demand for student numbers.

Having bucked the national trend of lower A Level grades this summer compared to 2020 and 2021, the College’s students smashed expectations and succeeded in a rise of 15% high grades to more than 60% achieving A* - B grades or equivalent.

The £1.6 investment also includes £750,000 granted by the Department for Education in acknowledgement of the College’s need to increase capacity, already having over 1500 students.

A new classroom building will open in Spring 2023, housing six new state-of-the-art classrooms and three new study spaces, with the larger building replacing existing constructions within the college campus.

Also included in the investment is all-new kitchen facilities and hot food offerings, science equipment and new labs as the College starts our new Science T Level course, and an extension to the multigym for more health and fitness activities.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “Our facilities at the College are already superb for our body of students, but this investment will once again contribute to the incredible sixth form experience that our students have.

“Our results this year stood out on the national scene, and for yet another year, demand for places was incredibly high, pushing us to the very limits of our capacity. The expansion to study facilities follow on from our new building in 2019 on campus being tremendously successful and it allowed us to house the hugely popular Psychology department across the nine new classrooms. This new building will act similarly.”

Mike continued: “We would like to thank the Department for Education for their recognition of our strong reputation across the country. This has allowed us the chance to invest in a broad range of facilities and equipment which will further enhance the life opportunities for young people in the area.”

To visit the area's most successful sixth form's Open Evening on Wednesday 28th September, click here to book.

An expanded kitchen and canteen means more hot food offerings in 8SQ.

An extension to the multigym with more facilities.

More teaching space for more students.
 

A team of Birkenhead Sixth Form College students took part in the national final of the European Youth Final competition, having won the North West regional heats earlier this year. A number of individual students will now also go on to the international legs of the contest.

Hosted at Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus, eight students including Aaron Ford, Lewis Fitzgerald, Reece Hoyle, Shauna Quatermass, Isaac McGeough, Rachael Carroll, Nathon Cowley and Josh Latham, competed in cross-school events involving team building and committee work, focusing on specific policy areas such as protection of minority languages across the European Union, natural disasters, cyber security and its impact on democracy and disability rights in education and each committee wrote up a resolution.

The event took place over the first weekend of September, and on the Saturday and Sunday, a General Assembly was held where the committees debated each of the resolutions and students delivered attack and defence speeches for the resolutions. These activities required a huge amount of collaboration between students from schools from all over the British Isles from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to Gloucester and London. Evening activities included a Euro-village which required schools to bring food from their allocated country (Poland being the allocated country for Birkenhead Sixth Form College), a Euro-quiz and a talent show. 

One of the College students who was part of the team, Aaron Ford, said: “The nationals were frankly an amazing experience, meeting people from all over the UK and in, in one case, Alessando's, all the way from Italy. Just learning about their cities and lives was great along with the actual work on resolutions which was so fun and interesting. Debating in the General Assembly was once again extremely interesting and engaging, especially when your committee is the focus. I've improved at working with others from a wider background and have just loved meeting everyone there.”

Aaron’s teammate, Lewis Fitzgerald, said: “Being part of EYP (European Youth Parliament) was not only an experience of a lifetime but also a learning curve. Meeting new friends for life as well as solidifying relationships made EYP what it is to me."

Rachael Carroll described her experience of the event: “The whole experience was fantastic! Meeting new and like-minded people from around the UK was such a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity; sharing cultures, mutual interests and beliefs truly made the experience as we all thew ourselves into the deep end with the sole purpose of enjoyment. Overall, the EYP UK Autumn Nationals event will impact me in the future when continuing my goal of developing confidence and self-assurance. When pursuing my career goal in GeoPolitics and broadcasting, I know there will always be others to lean on and further my understanding in topics I personally may not have first-hand experienced but will always aim to understand others. Listening to all opinions I certainly believe this generation is on such a forward thinking intellectual level and the future is certainly looking bright.”

Politics teacher, Jane Cavanagh, who acted as leader for the event, said “ I could not be prouder of my students and the way that they conducted themselves during the whole event. They fully embraced the whole experience. Socially, they made lots of friends and totally embodied the values of both Birkenhead Sixth Form College and EYP by being thoughtful and respectful to others. During the talent show, Lewis put together a jazz ensemble consisting of himself on bass guitar and a pianist, singer and saucepan drummer from students from other schools and Reece who was brave enough to perform some stand-up comedy which went down a storm! In the committee and general assembly stages the students showed true team spirit throughout and they showed off their tremendous oratory and debating skills and it was a joy to watch them grow in confidence during the whole experience.”

For more on studying Politics at the College, click here.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is celebrating their students’ best ever A Level results on the first year that exams have been sat since 2019.

With the expectation that students would struggle to cope with the demands of taking final exams for the first time in two years, the college’s students achieved a ground-breaking high grade percentage of 60.4% of all grades being between A*- B at A Level – a massive 15% higher than the last time that formal exams were taken in 2019.

The students’ results come off the back of never having sat official GCSE exams, and are a product of a calm, diligent approach to specialist sixth form education and a determination to never let circumstances stand in the way of delivering top class teaching, whether virtually or in-person.

The record breaking figures further catapult the reputation of our award-winning college into a leading sixth form in the country, taking in a wide spectrum of students from around 60 different high schools each year, and raising their academic and personal aspirations.

Over 80% of final year students will now go on to university, with many being the first generation in their family to do so.

The range of undergraduate courses that students now move to spans from medicine and veterinary science to engineering, nursing, law and real estate.

Four students earned the astonishing clean sweep of top grades with three A*s each, while the College’s out-going head students Abbie Williams and Jack Sibeon achieved two A*s within their results, enabling them to go to their first choice universities.

Other students from the College are starting prestigious and highly competitive apprenticeships in September, choosing a different route to their future careers.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “This is an absolutely remarkable achievement from our students, not least because they came to us having not sat all-important external exams before. 

“The entire process of taking exams is not just about the performance in the exam: it’s the process of revision and building up to that final performance that matters most, so for our students to produce this level of excellence having not experienced anything like the pressure of terminal exams before makes the achievement all the more astounding.”

Mike continued: “While the students’ success needs to be celebrated, equally commendable is the evident quality of the staff here at the college. This record-breaking year is testament to their unwavering commitment to specialist teaching, and being the expert in the room. They have taken students who joined us essentially with one arm tied behind their backs and made them the biggest achievers we’ve ever had.

“The staff continued to teach through every lockdown to never let our students’ academic journeys suffer, and they inspire students every day to better themselves and not just fulfil their potential but surpass it by a distance.

“Saying that we are proud of everyone’s achievements this year is an understatement. The students and staff have knocked it out of the park. Although, it doesn’t surprise me. What our students and staff do every day is what matters, and students always leave us as high academic performers, but most importantly as well-rounded individuals who are ready to contribute immensely to society as a whole.” 

This year’s Principal’s Summer Art Show prize has been shared between two incredible final year artists.

The annual Summer Art Show showcases the culmination of students’ work across A Levels in Fine Art, Graphics and Textiles, and also the pre-university Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.

This year’s Principal’s prize after the exhibition, which was attended by a host of visitors, staff and students, was awarded jointly to Hannah Robertson and Leah Holland.

In an event which turns the entire Art & Design department’s purpose-built building into a gallery for the evening, Principal Mike Kilbride narrowed down Hannah and Leah’s work for special praise amongst a plethora of creative abilities and flair, citing this year’s choice particularly difficult.

Mike said: “In the past there has always been one piece or one body of work that stood out. This year, there are two artists whose body of work is of such exceptional quality that it is frankly impossible to separate them."

He explained: “Hannah’s body of work was universally impressive: her technical skill was astonishing and her interpretation captivating. She did what only really great artists can do - she gave three dimensional life and depth on two dimensions. I was taken with all her work but my favourite and the piece I would like to bring into the college collection was the family scene with the pram in the background. This had a particular personal evocation for me as well as just being endlessly interesting."

“Leah showed a range of multiple skills: her photography, particularly the three full length portraits as a piece was stunning. Professionally printed, these three pieces, I would like to bring into the College’s collection. However, the dress shown in these pictures was conceptually interesting - quite beautiful in execution whilst also demonstrating immense craft."

Mike continued: “Whilst these two artists in particular took my attention, I would also like to give mention to Ruby Larsen and Jem Barnes for their extraordinarily skilled and interesting graphics work, Dan Dawson for his stunning fine art piece, ‘Women on a Bed’ and Matilda Bracewell and Ce Nedra Riley for the concept, skill and craft of their FAD (Foundation Diploma) pieces.

Praising the specialist teachers in the Art & Design department, Mike said: “All the College artists should be congratulated for the excellent work they produced, but special and particular mention must go to the art staff who create the wonderful environment that allows these young people to flourish.”

For more on studying Art & Design A Levels at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

The latest award given in honour of a late Wirral councillor has been issued to a Birkenhead Sixth Form College student.

Eighteen-year-old Jess Blackburn is the 2022 recipient of the Denise Roberts award, marking her commitment to helping others and her achievements throughout her time in further education.

Denise Roberts served as a Wirral councillor for Claughton from 1999 and worked in the position for 17 years. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 74.

She was a long-time governor at Birkenhead Sixth Form College and revered as a community champion, and this cash award is given to a student in Denise’s honour from Wirral Council.

Wirral Councillor Denise Roberts, who passed away in 2017.

Jess joined the College in 2020 from Prenton High School, and she has worked as a representative for the College’s Learning Assistance Base, helping other students with any additional support needs and lending her time to act as a friendly face and kindly ear to fellow students across Years 12 and 13.
Jess, who now looks to head to university to study Geography, was presented her well-deserved £100 cheque and certificate by Birkenhead Sixth Form College Principal, Mike Kilbride, and Director of Learning Support, James King.

James said: “Jess is an exceptional student who embodies the College values. Jess has overcome numerous challenges, though has remained resilient in life and throughout her education, completing her studies at Birkenhead Sixth Form College and securing an offer from the University of LIverpool to study Geography. She is ambitious and aspirational for her future, and is an extremely hard working, focused and determined student.

“Jess is positive and thoughtful, evidenced in her role as Learning Assistance Base Ambassador, and has helped new students find their feet at the College, as well as giving peer support academically and emotionally whenever needed.  

James continued: “She has emerged a confident young woman with the courage and optimism that will enable her to flourish in her personal, academic and work life. Everyone at the College wishes her extremely well as she moves onto university.”

Jess’s award win was also endorsed by current Claughton Councillor, Gillian Wood, who offered her congratulations to Jess from the Wirral’s Labour Party.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College continued to line up the highest level work placements as part of the new Science T Level qualification by working alongside science industry pioneer AstraZeneca.

AstraZeneca are a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company headquartered in the UK, and join a list of science industry giants that are offering work placement to College students sitting the new T Level qualification.

The Science T Level course begins in September 2022 at the College, and is aimed at students who have a set career path in science in mind, with a specialism in laboratory science. The qualification involves 80% classroom learning within College alongside 20% work placement across two years in a science environment most suited to the individual student.

Work placements availabilities on the course include Wirral University Teaching Hospital opportunities at Arrowe Park, places at BioGrad, Innospec, Pharmaron, Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and more.

Studying at Birkenhead Sixth Form College also means that T Level students benefit from the expert pastoral and careers support from the Student Development Team and the chance to get involved in the full range of clubs, activities and societies that every student has available to them across A Level and BTEC Level 3 courses.         

Head of T Levels at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Jo Hartley-Metcalfe, said: “Securing invaluable work placement opportunities with industry leaders like AstraZeneca just shows the esteem that the new T Level course should be held in. As leaders in sixth form education, the College is proud to work alongside science industry giants to offer the best possible opportunities for students to study here and also excel in the workplace.

“We are really excited for the Science T Level course to start, and can’t wait to see our students achieve great things in both the classroom and on work placement. The experiences that students studying the Science T Level will be second-to-none and this is an incredible option for the scientists of the future.”

Learning Partner at AstraZeneca, Annette Lewis, said: "We’re excited to support young people in building their careers in science from the earliest possible opportunity by partnering with Birkenhead Sixth Form College to pilot T level placements at AstraZeneca. We are entrepreneurial in our approach, seeking new opportunities to bring science to life, make careers in science accessible, and add value to our communities by sharing our passion for improving the lives of patients. Our T Level placement will help us to achieve this and, we hope, open up a future in this exciting industry for the right person."

Fore more on studying the Science T Level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.
 

A cohort of future doctors from Birkenhead Sixth Form College have won places on a brand new and invaluable Pathways to Medicine programme by the University of Central Lancashire.

Emily Fielding, Sophie Eaton, Hannah Clements and Ross Morphy-Morris have all been selected for the scheme amongst tough competition, and will now take part in a range of activities to help support the strength of their applications to study medicine and related professional healthcare courses at university, and enhance their skills surrounding their chosen career path.

UCLan’s Pathways to Medicine programme is designed for students who are from backgrounds that are under-represented at university, particularly on ultra-competitive courses like medicine, and helps prepare students for both the application and interview processes.

They will now have a number of sessions, meeting academics, current students and members of the admissions team at the university to get pointers about making their applications stand out.

They will also take part in activities to support A Levels in Biology and Chemistry and have a medical degree taster session, along with interview preparation workshops.

The five students have also been accepted onto the equally competitive Intromed scheme by Wirral University Teaching Hospital, which helps students gain highly valued work experience at Arrowe Park Hospital before applying for university places. Emily Fielding was successful with her application for the Sutton Trust Summer School too, which puts her in a prime position when it comes to being accepted onto medicine degree courses.

Vice Principal at the College, Paula Blakemore, mentors the medicine cohort and she said: “These types of programmes add so much value to the students’ experience and preparation, and really make their UCAS applications stand out. Taking part also makes them eligible for scholarships and opens doors they might not have thought possible before.

“They are such a hard-working group and deserve these opportunities to come their way, which they’re grabbing with two hands. It’s both pleasing to see and very important to have under-represented groups getting the same chances as more privileged students, and their grit and determination to succeed is clear for everyone to see.”

Birkenhead Sixth Form College welcomed the visit of the House of Lords’ lead on environment and climate change, as the College’s students were chosen as one of an elite few to help advise the government on important environmental issues.

The Baroness Parminter is Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee in the House of Lords, which helps sculpt policy and law within this relevant and vital topic, and the College is just one of six schools chosen from across the country to be involved in a new youth engagement programme.

The programme involves students giving the Lords’ committee insights on approaches to tackling the climate crisis through behaviour change from the perspective of young people, and Baroness Kate Parminter’s visit to the College was a perfect chance for students to engage with a governmental leader with their thoughts and ideas.

After exploring the campus and meeting the Principal, Mike Kilbride, alongside two of the Deputy Head Students, Josh and Rachael, the Baroness held a talk and Q&A session with students studying A Levels in both Politics and Environmental Science. Students were able to put across their thoughts and suggestions on the critical issue of the environment and put pertinent questions across about the inner workings of the House of Lords and the committee’s work.

Just the day before, four chosen students were involved in a virtual committee meeting with all of the members of the House of Lords on the issues, and had the opportunity to field their excellent questions and thought-provoking ideas to the politicians.

Josh, Felicity, Katie and Matthew joined students from the other five schools across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to bring to the attention of the committee such issues as fast fashion, eating habits and the wildlife population of the UK and how they affect climate change.

The four were praised by the Lords on their thoughtful and practical approaches to the matters and took on board their many ideas of how to tackle behaviour changes within society. 

The Baroness Parminter said: “It’s been brilliant. The students have been so articulate and so informed. The way they expressed their thoughts to us was just amazing. The committee was dazzled by how clearly they could talk about issues that are so important but so easily get forgotten.

“We’ve got a session coming up with the minister and we’re going to be asking some fairly searching questions which will be informed partly by what the students have told us. I’ll be interested to hear what their views are after that session because I’m sure they’ll be in touch with us if they feel we have done a proper job of asking the right questions!”

Click here for more on studying Politics A Level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College.

Click here for more on studying Environmental Science A Level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s commitment to achieving social mobility through academic excellence has once again been recognised with a shortlisting for a national award.

Social mobility charity upReach helps disadvantaged students from across the UK realise their potential and ensure successful Higher Education and career paths. Their annual Student Social Mobility Awards has shortlisted the College for the Aspire School of the Year Award for 2022, making the finalist position from more than 250 nominations.

The awards ceremony will now take place at the House of Lords on 21st July 2022, where both institutions and students themselves are celebrated for their achievements in making progression to university and the top graduate jobs possible for those from less advantaged backgrounds.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has a long history of levelling the playing field and ensuring inclusivity, with our students joining us from over 60 different high schools across all regions of Wirral, Merseyside and Cheshire West.

The College has already won three acclaimed national and regional awards for social mobility in the last three years from the Sixth Form Colleges Association, TES (formerly the Times Education Supplement) and Educate North Awards, with the College being labelled ‘an engine of social mobility’.

Around 90% of our students go onto university each year, with many being the first generation in their family to do so, while others secure highly competitive apprenticeship and employment opportunities.

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “Our students continue to accomplish remarkable achievements every year, no matter their background. Our job is to make sure that everyone has opportunities to excel. We have an entire range of programmes to enforce this and open up avenues for those that simply would not have the option at other institutions, and we’re extremely proud of that.”

Mike continued: “We work closely with a number of universities and their schemes to help to garner a more diverse and inclusive student body, with students taking part in workshops, mentoring and networking before moving onto Higher Education, and our students take full advantage of every availability, such is their work ethic and commitment to success.

“We’re extremely pleased to be shortlisted for the upReach Award, largely because it recognises the College as a whole, staff and students, and the rich ethos of social mobility that runs through it.”
 

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s student leadership team for the upcoming year has been announced as the roles of Head Students and Deputy Head Students have been allocated.

The leadership team will act as the voice of the student body as well as taking the lead position in representing the College at events for new students. They will also be responsible for helping new students settle in to College life, both at events leading up to joining us and in September when they start as official Birkenhead Sixth Form College students.

Leading the team will be Head Students, Rafaela Brauner and Cam Woolley. Deputies are Rachael Carroll, Emily Fielding, Kawar Gulli and Josh Latham.

Rafaela joined the College from Bellerive school in Liverpool and takes A Levels in Business, Law and Spanish.

She said: “I’m most looking forward to helping new students who join us and being able to show them that there’s so much to look forward to. It’s a big step joining the College and you grow up so much from the independence and the way you’re treated as an adult.” 

Cam is formerly of Calday Grammar and studies Business, English and Media at A Level.

Cam said: “I can’t wait to work at the Open Evenings and other events where I get to talk to new students and their parents about just how great the College is. I’m really happy with my decision to join the College and have become a different person since being here. I want to show other people that they can do the same.”

The whole Student Ambassador team follow the rest of the student body by coming from a full range of high schools, and the leadership team are no different, with Josh joining us from Whitby County High School, Emily from Neston, Kawar from Bebington High Sports College and Rachael, like Rafaela coming from Bellerive.

Any students needing some peer-to-peer support, advice or any help should look out for any one of these six student leaders as they are there for any needs outside of staff requirements, and will be happy to assist.

All six have shown themselves to represent the College values outstandingly and have strong characters to represent the College and its students. 

HEAD STUDENT: Rafaela Brauner

HEAD STUDENT: Cam Woolley

DEPUTY HEAD STUDENT: Rachael Carroll

DEPUTY HEAD STUDENT: Emily Fielding

DEPUTY HEAD STUDENT: Kawar Gulli

DEPUTY HEAD STUDENT: Josh Latham

A Level Film Studies students enjoyed a trip to the media hub of the north to learn from experts in the subject at degree level and beyond.

Visiting Salford University’s campus on the ground of Media City, home of the BBC, ITV and more, students had masterclass sessions from lecturers and experienced professionals in the field about both practical and conceptual arts within film.

Dr Pete Deakin, lecturer at Salford University’s leading Film department, has visited the College to deliver specialist talks to Film Studies students in the recent past, but this was an opportunity for him to deliver his expert insight into Ideology and gender within film in his own back yard in the north of England’s centre of media talent.

The students were given tours of the superb Salford University campus beneath ITV headquarters and next door to the BBC, along with further talks about idea generation for short film and editing film for storytelling by a Hollywood editor. 

Revis Meeks edited Grey’s Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries and Scandal amongst others, and gave the students a fascinating first-hand view of working within the industry, while explaining the technical side of how her role shapes what the audience experiences.

There was also a chance for students to get invaluable tips into applying for places on the university’s Film undergraduate course and understand what they are looking for in a portfolio.

The trip was rounded off by a fun tour of the BBC and ITV studios, seeing the Blue Peter gardens and other iconic presenting studios.

Head of Film Studies and Media at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Julie Edwards, said: “All of the students really benefitted from the day, seeing for themselves what working in the industry looks and feels like. Hearing from both the lecturers in Film and someone actually working in Hollywood was incredible and the students enjoyed every second.

“Seeing the studios and behind the scenes of the programmes and content that they see every day is always fun and interesting, and everything that they experienced is directly related to their work in A Level film. Salford University is a popular destination for our students each year, with their ease of access to so many related workplaces at Media City meaning that we’ve had former students going on to work at CBBC, the BBC, ITV and many more within the sector.”    

To find out more about studying Film Studies A Level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.
 

Birkenhead Sixth Form College students from across different courses have visited the Liverpool Echo where they pitched their exciting story ideas to the one of the country's leading regional newspapers.. 

Students studying A Levels in English, Film and Media Studies spoke to the Editor, Maria Breslin, and went on to tour the newsroom and took part in workshops with industry experts.

Excellent feedback was received by all of the budding writers, who showed confidence and talent in the daunting task of pitching to a real editor. 

The visit was arranged as part of the College’s student mentoring scheme with Howard Littler, who also attended. Howard is an ex- Birkenhead Sixth Form Student who is now Fellowship Manager at John Schofield Trust. This charity exists to increase the diversity of newsrooms through extensive mentoring and other opportunities for a variety young people.

Maria Breslin, Liverpool Echo Editor, praised students Jack Dane, Jack Hilton, Poppy Howard, Shakil Ahmed and Callum McKenzie on their research and ideas, as she gave them advice on how they might develop their stories for a professional newspaper and how to pursue a career in journalism. 

The team of students then participated in workshops with some of the Echo’s top reporters: Rebecca Koncienzcy, MyWirral Editor; Steve Graves, Executive Editor Digital and Sam Carroll, Sports Content Editor. The professionals were impressed by the students’ ability to seek out a good angle in a range of topics that they had investigated independently – from the trials and tribulations of Everton Football Club to captivating insights into the city’s LGBTQ+ icons. 

Julie Edwards, Head of Film and Media Studies, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to see how our students established such a good rapport with the Liverpool Echo editorial team straight away. They had obviously spent considerable time researching their pitch ideas - and their energy, passion and diligence was clear to everyone they met. The students all have a great passion for writing and, undoubtedly, have an exciting future ahead of them.”

Click the titles of these courses to find out more about studying English, Film or Media A Levels at Birkenhead Sixth Form College.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s staff have been named as finalists to win a prestigious award recognising outstanding quality of teaching.
The teaching staff as a whole were nominated for Educate North’s Teaching Excellence Award, once more cementing the College’s place as a leader in the sixth form sector.

The award celebrates teaching quality and a ‘sustained impact’ upon students in the north of England, and now the wait is on to reveal the winner at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday (7th April) at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.

It’s not the first time the Educate North Awards have shortlisted the College for an award, with each of the last four years seeing the College as a whole, individuals or departments being named finalists in multiple categories, scooping three wins along the way. 

In 2018, the College was named the North of England Sixth Form College of the Year, and the following year our commitment to social mobility and widening participation was recognised with a victory in that category.

Just last year, our Principal, Mike Kilbride, was honoured with the accolade of National Leadership Award, marking the significant achievements of the College under his stewardship.

Mike said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be shortlisted for the award, most importantly because it’s recognition of the full staff body and the outstanding work they do each and every day. They are experts, both in their subject matter and in their teaching techniques, but their passion for what they do with their students and their commitment to ensuring that everyone reaches their full potential is astounding.”

Mike continued: “A few years ago, we set about on a mission to become a world class college. That mission has now changed to focusing on remaining the world class college that we are, and this celebration of the innovative and industry-leading teaching excellence we offer is further proof of our superb sixth form provision.”
 

A team of Birkenhead Sixth Form College students has come away victorious from the regional heats of the continent’s leading political debating competition.

The European Youth Parliament is a peer-to-peer educational programme that runs throughout Europe and provides a forum for young people from all different backgrounds to develop and express their opinions on wide-ranging topics.

Competing against other teams from independent schools, grammar schools and fellow sixth form colleges, Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s teams of debaters came out on top after a two-day event, beginning at Merchant Taylors’ school in Crosby and culminating in a final general assembly at Liverpool Town Hall, claiming the victory alongside West Kirby Grammar School.

The team of nine students - Aaron Ford, Josh Latham, Rachael Carroll, Reece Hoyle, Lewis Fitzgerald, Nathon Cowley, Naomi Logan, Seana Quatermass and Isaac McGeough – will now head to the national final, also held in Liverpool, in a competition that involves over 30,000 young people across Europe.

In a first for the European Youth Parliament regional event, the activities included a committee day event prior to the general assembly. The students were allocated committees to work alongside students from all of the other schools and colleges to draw up resolutions on issues ranging from trans rights and gender equality to cryptocurrency. 

Leading the team was Politics teacher at the College Jane Cavanagh, who said: “The level of debate from the students was astounding. We are always confident in the maturity and thoughtfulness of all of our students, but this event once again proved it in spades. To conduct themselves in such a calm, measured and considerate way, whilst also making sure that their opinions were heard was an absolute credit to them.”

Jane continued: “I’m extremely proud of their win at this stage but more so of the manner in which they went about it. They had all put the time into researching the topics and brought sensible and informed opinions to the table about extremely important topics. Public speaking can be daunting to anyone, but they delivered well spoken and well researched speeches in front of their peers from a range of backgrounds and managed to come out on top. I know that they had an enjoyable experience and hope that they do once again in the final.”

To find out more about studying Politics at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

An innovative, inventive and ambitious College production performed over two nights has been met with huge acclaim from the audiences, with performing students drawing praise from parents, guests, fellow students and staff alike.

‘Alice in Underworld’ was a piece of promenade theatre, involving cast leading the audience around all corners of the College that had been made into the rabbit hole down which Alice falls especially for the evening.

Student actors, dancers and musicians came together to start work on the complex production early in the academic year, and finally had the pleasure to be able to perform in front of audiences for the first time in two years.

The show itself involved six different versions of the Alice protagonist guiding audiences through sections of each of their dream sequences, including age-old popular Lewis Carroll characters such as the Mad Hatter, Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee and the Queen of Hearts.

Each room used throughout the College campus was decorated accordingly, taking viewers through a physical enactment of the psychedelia, with direct interaction with the actors and other performers, whose improvisation all the way through was accomplished, and regularly hilarious for those watching.

The journeys around College were interspersed with musical and dance segments, performed by multiple dancers and two different College bands.

Head of Performing Arts, Sian Murray, directed the show with coordination from Dance teacher Kirsty and Digital Music Production teacher Alec in their specialist fields.

After attending the show, College Principal Mike Kilbride said: “It was an absolute pleasure. The whole affair was superbly ambitious, with multiple Alices, live bands, dancers and food. How Sian and her team, with special mention to Kirsty and Alec, pulled it off is beyond me.”

“The students were amazing: the quality of performance, requiring significant improvisation, was fanatically crafted and enormously mature. What a credit they are to themselves, those who directed them and the College in general.

“An enjoyable, inspiring and thought-provoking evening.”

“We saw this last night and it was amazing. Thank you for putting on a brilliant show. Well done to everybody involved - you’re all very talented.”

“My daughter took my little boy and he loved it so much. Thank you.”

“Well done everyone involved.”

Four second year Chemistry students have claimed highly honourable places at a prestigious national competition that scrutinises and tests their knowledge in the subject against thousands of other students across the country.

Now in its 54th year, The Royal Society of Chemistry’s UK Chemistry Olympiad is the leading competition in the field for secondary students in the country, and A Level chemists at the College, Bart, Shukrullah, Lorenzo and Alex came home with three silver medals and a bronze medal between them.

The competition spans thousands of schools and even more students, with nearly 8,500 taking part in the contest. More than 30% of entrants failed to make the grade, placing our brilliant scientists well within the top percentiles of performers. Indeed, there were just two or three marks between one silver medal certificate and the coveted gold for one College chemist.

The Royal Society of Chemists say that the three stage competition is ‘designed to challenge, so will not be easy. Students should see it as an opportunity to develop their thinking and problem solving skills, and to test their existing knowledge of chemistry in real-world situations’.

The round one stage that our students took part in was a written test, which ‘often stimulates a lot of debate and conversation around what chemistry is all about, so it’s a great opportunity for students to develop and showcase some of the skills they’ll need at university and beyond’.

Chemistry teacher at the College, Will, said: “This exam is extremely difficult and aimed at high-achieving students, so to score enough marks to be awarded a certificate is a huge achievement for these four. It’s also the first time the College has had students to enter the exam and certificate, so our team this year are blazing a trail for those that follow and have set a very high benchmark.”

Will continued: “Although the students have to achieve a gold certificate to progress to the next round, the level of skill and knowledge that they have displayed is phenomenal, and stands them in great stead to achieve some outstanding grades at A Level. It also lays the groundwork for working in an environment even higher than A Level, whether that’s at university or in employment in the science industry.

“All four students can be exceptionally proud of what they’ve achieved on a national level.” 

For more on studying Chemistry A Level at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s Higher Education (HE) Week sees a range of different universities visiting the College so all first year students can hear directly from HE providers about researching choices, writing personal statements, student finance and budgeting.

A wide range of universities are at the College this week, and each Year 1 student will hear from the institutions during their weekly tutorial sessions.

Via the Tutorial Programme, our tutors equip students with all of the tools necessary to make informed decisions for their future, but the visits of the universities are an opportunity to hear directly from some of their admissions departments about getting the best out of their applications.

When it comes to university, finance can be a major concern for students, so the sessions with the specialists can help allay any worries and also bust some myths that surround financial matters in HE.

Hosting universities, visiting speakers and the annual Futures Day are all part of the College’s expansive, robust and award-winning Careers Programme, which is built into students’ weekly sessions, and also features a popular Careers Clinic with our two careers advisor tutors, Tom and Andy, and appointments can be booked by clicking here.

The Careers Programme is centred on three stages to achieve success: Explore; Decide; Act. At this time, the first year students are at the point of exploring their options for their next steps after College, which is where the visit of the universities comes in. The online careers hub Unifrog also plays a key part in students’ ability to perform in-depth research into Higher Education and apprenticeship options, with the app acting as a complete destinations platform which helps students compare every opportunity and apply successfully. The students’ Unifrog accounts are also accessible by their tutors and their parents, so they can both help manage the students’ progression effectively.

Head of Student Development and Careers Leader at the College, Jo Wood, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our university guests to the College this week. These opportunities for students to interact directly with university departments are vital to students’ decision making and help to ensure that they are fully informed about their next steps.”

For more details on the Careers Programme at the College, click here.
 

Birkenhead Sixth Form students have been selected as one of a small number of schools and colleges to work with the House of Lords on government policies regarding the important issues of climate change and the environment.

The College is one of just six schools across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland chosen to express their views and offer ideas to the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Select Committee. 

Students across Environmental Science, Politics and Geography A Level courses will now have the opportunity to raise issues and scrutinise policies that the government plan to put to the floor in Parliament, taking part in committee meetings with members of the Lords and other government ministers.

Committee chair Baroness Kate Parminter will visit the College in the near future to meet the students involved, and before taking part the students will learn about the inner workings of the committee and the House of Lords itself via special briefings from Parliament.
Baroness Parminter said: “"It's great to see so many young people keen to get involved with efforts to combat climate change and protect the natural world.

"We look forward to hearing from and working with the students who’ll help us to do our job of holding the government to account and ensuring that policies meet climate targets."

Environmental Science teacher at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Graham, said: “I think the most important thing that students will take from this project is having their voices heard. The topic of climate change is close to the hearts of so many students here and young people across the country, so it’s vital that they have their say and have the opportunity to influence decision making.

Environmental Science A Level is a new course to the College, having been introduced in September 2021, and has already proved extremely popular, with the topics covered being supremely relevant to the modern world and international importance.

Mike said: “Students regularly speak about climate change in class and have both strong opinions and great ideas about action that should be taken, in both a small and local sense and also in the wider scale. To be chosen as one of just six schools across the UK to be able to speak directly to the government and have their ideas listened to is a real coup, and is definitely an opportunity that the students will grab with two hands.”

Politics teacher Jane Cavanagh coordinated the College's application to be part of the scheme.

Jane said: "Politics students will be able to get a great insight into how a House of Lords Select Committee works. The chance to discuss ways that the government can encourage behavioural change to tackle environmental issues is crucial too, and to echo Mike's sentiments, giving young people a voice and a platform to be heard is so important. This joint project across the various subject courses in the College is a brilliant opportunity for students to make a genuine difference."

For more on studying Environmental Science A Level at the College, click here.

And for details of the College's Politics A Level, click here.
 

Birkenhead Sixth Form College welcomed nearly a dozen apprenticeship providers for a dedicated fair for students to find out more about the various routes that they can take after completing sixth form studies.

From software engineering and web applications to the Law profession, and Police and Army to mental health provision, all the organisation attending came from a broad spectrum of industries and specialisms, so students had a full view of potential next steps after College.

The industries also cover many of the Liverpool City Region’s Labour Growth Markets, which are all growing and thriving areas of employment that have been identified by the combined local authority as ideal sectors for young people to enter for work in prominent and diverse areas.

Hannah Sherlock was representing Grant Thornton at the fair, with whom she is two-and-a-half years through an accountancy apprenticeship having joined them after finishing sixth form.

Grant Thornton are a leading professional services network of accounting and consulting firms, and Hannah succeeded in gaining a place on an Audit accountancy apprenticeship with them in an extremely competitive field.

Hannah Sherlock of Grant Thornton

Hannah said: “My advice to anyone applying for an apprenticeship is to make sure that you tailor your application to the particular organisation that you’re applying for. Every business has a set of values, and making sure that your values align to theirs is really important. It’s not a one size fits all approach.”

On the benefits of taking the apprenticeship route after College, Hannah said: “Even if it’s not in accountancy like me, I’d highly recommend it. You finish the apprenticeship not just with great qualification but with years’ worth of experience of working in industry, building professional relationships, and you’re able to offer employers something that maybe someone coming straight out of uni can’t.

“You also don’t miss the social aspect that uni offers. I know that the course I’m on and many others are mainly taking on from younger age groups, so there’s a lot of socialising that goes on alongside the work.”

An integral part of Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s commitment to social mobility and widening participation is raising aspirations and allowing students to access some of the world’s leading universities.

The College’s Pathways to Oxbridge initiative opens up the process to apply for places at Oxford and Cambridge to all students regardless of background, and gives a full overview of all of the information needed to be prepared for the application process and what it entails.

All first years students have been invited to get involved in the Pathways to Oxbridge programme, with those that have their sights set on joining many of the College’s alumni at both Oxford and Cambridge colleges have completed unique booklets to help with their first steps to the hallowed grounds of two of the oldest universities in the western world. The admissions process, interviews, a breakdown of the colleges, the possible course choices and the sculpting of the personal statement are all among the subjects discussed.

Eligible students are encouraged to participate in the UNIQ (Oxford) and HE+ (Cambridge) programmes which aim to increase both applications and places for students who come from mainstream schools. Many of the College’s students take advantage of these initiatives each year, but this year, the

Pathways to Oxbridge programme is taking matters one step further.

Second in charge of Student Development and tutor, Kate Birch, oversees the aspiration-raising scheme, alongside the Pathways to Medicine programme which similarly opens doors for future medics to take their first steps towards the vocation.

Kate said: “It’s always been our aim to fully inform students of all of the options that they have after finishing College, and sometimes this includes paths that they might not have previously considered. Every year, our students’ work ethic and eventual success proves that they fully deserve to have sights set on Oxbridge places, or other university, apprenticeship or employment opportunities that they may never have thought possible.

“Our students come from a full spectrum of backgrounds and all are equally worthy of access to the leading universities. Our mission for every student is to make sure that no one is disadvantaged. Everyone is on a level playing field and it’s down to their hard work and determination that influences where their next steps will take them.”
 

Environmental Science A Level students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College have been getting their hands dirty in an important local tree-planting project.

Despite the elements being against them, six first year students who began the new A Level course at the College in September, plus some family members and dog helpers, turned up to the area on Boundary Road in Bidston on Saturday to take part in the volunteering event hosted by Wirral Borough Council. 

The Community Planting project has a goal of planting over 10,000 saplings (baby trees) over the winter to help hit the target of doubling Wirral’s tree canopy by 2030. Leading the way in terms of commitment to planting new trees and reducing carbon emissions, Wirral is one of just three councils across the country who have got involved in the Community Planting project, relying on the help of passionate volunteers like our Environmental Science students.

Environmental Science teacher at the College, Mike Graham, said: “As part of the course, we’ve recently been discussing the range of benefits that tree-planting projects can bring, so this was a fantastic opportunity to get our hands dirty and be involved with a really important local project.

“I was so impressed by the positive attitude of our students, who braved the wind and rain to take part. It was also great to hear the students talking about the important legacy that this new area of woodland will bring to the local area in the future, and help the UK government reach its carbon reduction commitments.”

Mike concluded: “Bringing what we study in the classroom to life is such a good opportunity for students on this vibrant and exciting course. It’s never been more important or relevant to be equipped with knowledge of our environment and the troubles we face, and the A Level qualification that students will finish the course with could be invaluable, not just to their future career paths but their every day lives too.”

There is a further tree-planting project event taking place at Arrowe Park later this year. Details will be included in the weekly student bulletin, but the opportunity to get involved is open to all students, not just Environmental Science students, and all volunteers will be helping the Wirral lead the way to making the area greener.

For more on studying Environmental Science at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s commitment to social mobility and widening participation to students from all backgrounds has once more been highlighted, with nearly 50 first year students gaining places on a leading university and careers programme.

The Pathways Programme, run by the University of Liverpool and the Sutton Trust, provides the skills, knowledge, experience and opportunities to help young people from less advantaged backgrounds progress to top university places and exclusive graduate careers.
Some 45 first year students at the College have been accepted onto the Pathways Programme, which covers three different professional areas: Law, Engineering and Bank & Finance.

Activity across the programme, which is completely free for students who meet the entry criteria and make a successful application, involves participating in mentoring sessions, relevant work experience, university visits, workshops and attending national conferences.

This programme opens doors for less privileged students to access careers that are traditionally potentially out of reach due to limited opportunities because of social background, and plays a huge part in levelling the playing field for all young people to have aspirations for a successful profession.

The cohort of students from Birkenhead Sixth Form College on the three different Pathways Programmes amounts to between 30 – 40% of the total number of students taking part, and each student that applied from the College for the Engineering and Banking & Finance courses was successful in gaining a place.

A spokesperson for the Pathways Programme from the University of Liverpool said: “In total, we have 45 students from the College across all three Pathways Projects, and another 22 within our year 13 Law project. We really appreciate the support that the College has provided for the Pathways Programme. We really value the access the College provide to its students: they are all very high-achieving students who meet our Widening Participation criteria. We’re looking forward to working with these students and supporting them into university.”

Director of Student Development and Careers Leader at the College, Jo Wood, said: “Opportunities for our students like the Pathways Programme sit alongside the already superb careers support every one of our students is provided with, from specialist support from their pastoral tutors with plans and applications to the next steps after College, to our trained in-house Careers Advisors being able to help students access further projects and openings outside of College.

“Students have been making applications for places on programmes with the Social Mobility Foundation, the Aspiring Professionals Programme and the Scholars Programme next year – all of which enhance career opportunities exponentially. All students deserve the chance to access the best possible professions, and this College leads the way in making sure that those chances happen.”

For more on the award-winning careers programme at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, click here.