Blackpool Sixth Form College
Encyclopedia
The Blackpool Sixth Form College serves the Fylde
and surrounding areas of the county of Lancashire
, England. The college has around 1,900 full-time students. The college offers academic and applied programmes to a wide range of students aged between 16 and 19.
. This places it on Blackpool's extreme eastern boundary, about 3 miles from the coast and close to the neighbouring town of Poulton-le-Fylde
. Despite being some distance from the town centre, the college is easily reached by road and rail (in fact there are two railway stations close by). The college's locality is somewhat less urban than the busy, built-up centre of Blackpool.
Students can also participate in wide range of recreational activities. The college has 17 sports teams, and also a basketball academy and a very active Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
and beyond. (A few of the tutors who started in 1971 are still teaching at the college and a considerable number of the staff are former students.) In 1989, the sixth form centre controversially separated from the main school to become a fully independent college. Since then, the number of students has increased enormously and the campus has been extended by several new buildings, the most recent of which is the music and performing arts suite. Plans are underway to rebuild or refurbish much of the original 1971 build in the next few years.
2004 saw the opening of the new Performing Arts building, the Holland building, comprising specialist music and dance facilities, new Social Sciences and History accommodation and extensions to the Library and Common Room areas.
In 2005 the Dining Room was refurbished, a shop was added and a Student Services centre was opened. All College buildings are designated as 'no smoking' for students and staff. At present (2011) the College is undergoing major refurbishment and a radical overhaul of its image. They have recently unveiled a new logo, whilst opening a Starbucks franchise.
The Fylde
The Fylde ; Scandinavian: "field") is a coastal plain in western Lancashire, England. It is roughly a 13-mile square-shaped peninsula, bounded by Morecambe Bay to the north, the Ribble estuary to the south, the Irish Sea to the west, and the Bowland hills to the east...
and surrounding areas of the county of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England. The college has around 1,900 full-time students. The college offers academic and applied programmes to a wide range of students aged between 16 and 19.
Location
The campus is sited in the Highfurlong district of BlackpoolBlackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
. This places it on Blackpool's extreme eastern boundary, about 3 miles from the coast and close to the neighbouring town of Poulton-le-Fylde
Poulton-le-Fylde
Poulton-le-Fylde is a market town in Lancashire, England, situated on the coastal plain called the Fylde. As of the 2001 United Kingdom census, it had a population of 18,264. There is evidence of human habitation in the area from 12,000 years ago and several archaeological finds from Roman...
. Despite being some distance from the town centre, the college is easily reached by road and rail (in fact there are two railway stations close by). The college's locality is somewhat less urban than the busy, built-up centre of Blackpool.
Education and college life
About 45 subjects are available to full-time students. Until 2004, the college specialised in the A-level qualification almost exclusively and A-levels still make up the majority of the courses on offer. The curriculum areas cover the traditional subjects - arts, sciences, languages, economics and mathematics - as well as more modern courses like Media and Film Studies and social sciences.Students can also participate in wide range of recreational activities. The college has 17 sports teams, and also a basketball academy and a very active Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Results
Blackpool Sixth Form, constantly ranks among the top state colleges in the country. It deems a 99% pass rate and outscores some private colleges in the area.History
The college was opened in 1971 as a dedicated sixth form centre for the nearby Collegiate Grammar School, although it has always attracted students from other schools across the FyldeThe Fylde
The Fylde ; Scandinavian: "field") is a coastal plain in western Lancashire, England. It is roughly a 13-mile square-shaped peninsula, bounded by Morecambe Bay to the north, the Ribble estuary to the south, the Irish Sea to the west, and the Bowland hills to the east...
and beyond. (A few of the tutors who started in 1971 are still teaching at the college and a considerable number of the staff are former students.) In 1989, the sixth form centre controversially separated from the main school to become a fully independent college. Since then, the number of students has increased enormously and the campus has been extended by several new buildings, the most recent of which is the music and performing arts suite. Plans are underway to rebuild or refurbish much of the original 1971 build in the next few years.
2004 saw the opening of the new Performing Arts building, the Holland building, comprising specialist music and dance facilities, new Social Sciences and History accommodation and extensions to the Library and Common Room areas.
In 2005 the Dining Room was refurbished, a shop was added and a Student Services centre was opened. All College buildings are designated as 'no smoking' for students and staff. At present (2011) the College is undergoing major refurbishment and a radical overhaul of its image. They have recently unveiled a new logo, whilst opening a Starbucks franchise.
Principals
- Joan Wilkinson (1971-1981)
- Robert Farrand (1981-1989)
- Christopher Fulford (1989-2000)
- Jeffrey Holland (2000-2004)
- Felicity Greeves (2004-2011)
The Blackpool Sixth Form College Alumni Society
The College has an Alumni Society for former students, staff and governors.Notable former students
- Little BootsLittle BootsVictoria Christina Hesketh, also known by her stage name/pseudonym Little Boots, is an English electropop singer-songwriter. Her stage name comes from a nickname given to her by a friend, a reference to her unusually small feet...
(Victoria Hesketh), musician - Rachel McLeanMurder of Rachel McLeanRachel Margaret McLean was a British student at St. Hilda's College in Oxford, England, when she was murdered by her fiancé, John Tanner, a day after they became engaged...
, murder victim - John Robb - musician
- Barney HarwoodBarney HarwoodBarney Harwood is an English television presenter and actor, known for his work with CBBC.-Television:For CBBC, he presented Prank Patrol and was a voice-over commentator for The Smokehouse, while on BBC Two, he co-presented Basil's Swap Shop , alongside Basil Brush.Previous work for CBBC included...
, children's television presenter