Barnet College turns away 'struggling' students (From Times Series)

Barnet College turns away 'struggling' students

3:29pm Wednesday 30th September 2009 in

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GCSE resit courses have been dropped by Barnet College because students "frequently struggle" with the workload.

Forty students were due to begin their courses at the college earlier this month, but were turned away on induction day after being told the full-time GCSE programme had been cut.

Another 40 students were expected to join the programme over the course of September, at one of four campuses across the borough.

Marilyn Hawkins, principal of the college, claimed the college was one of "many" to discontinue GCSE resits and promised to find all enrolled students alternative vocational and BTEC courses at the college or elsewhere.

She admitted the decision was made because students were not achieving acceptable grades in their exams. In 2003, the average GCSE pass rate was 44 per cent, but this year it dropped to 38 per cent.

Mrs Hawkins said: "Barnet College reviews its course offer every year to ensure that programmes continue to meet learners’ needs.

"The college is not offering full-time GCSE resit courses in 2009-10 because students undertaking such courses frequently struggle.

"Many further education colleges such as Barnet, and also many schools, have also discontinued full-time GCSE resits.

"Like them, Barnet College will offer a broad suite of other educational programmes on which learners’ chances of success and educational progression will be greatly improved."

The University College Union (UCU) has objected to the cut on the grounds the decision was made too quickly - within 36 hours - and was not referred to the full Board of Governors.

The union also claims the college has consistently failed to support the programme over the past two years, by dropping its GCSE humanities and science co-ordinator in 2007 and replacing "experienced" teachers with casual or agency staff.

A letter sent by UCU representatives Noel Murphy, David Armstrong and Chris Odams to Barnet College Chair of Governors Tony Alderman on September 10 described staff as "reacting with a mixture of bemusement, anger and tears" at the news.

They stated: "The college is now turning away countless students because there is a lack of suitable provision, something unthinkable even two years ago.

"In many cases they will have no educational opportunities at all, which is absurd in the current economic climate."

Barnet College is yet to respond to the UCU's allegations.