Prior Pursglove College

Prior Pursglove and Stockton Sixth Form College spans over two sites, one in Guisborough and one in Stockton.  The stimulating and rewarding culture of our college is based on care, respect and hard work and these are the key values at the heart of how we operate as a college community.

Prior Pursglove College (PPC) and Stockton Sixth Form College (SSFC) was created through the merger of two predecessor sixth form colleges in May 2016. The college is a medium sized 16 to 19 academy and is part of the Tees Valley Collaborative Trust (TVCT). The college provides 16 to 19 study programmes for around 2000 students (1450 at Guisborough and 550 at Stockton), adult programmes for some 343 students and has approximately 120 students with high needs. The college offers a wide range of Advanced Level (A level) subjects and a smaller range of vocational subjects at levels 1, 2 and 3.

The college delivers provision in the boroughs of Redcar and Cleveland (R&C) and Stockton-on-Tees. Both boroughs share similar social and economic disadvantages, such as high unemployment, illness, child poverty, crime rates and low household income, compared to the national averages. In recent years, attainment rates for 16-year-olds completing key stage 4 have improved in Stockton but remain well below the national averages in Redcar and Cleveland. Prior Pursglove College takes some 25% of its students from Middlesbrough, which has similar or worse educational and economic outputs.

At Prior, 30 A level subjects and 11 Applied General Qualifications (year 1 and 2) are offered, with level 1, 2 and adult provision offering a range of courses comprising of 62 qualifications. At Stockton, 18 A level subjects and 9 Applied General Qualifications (year 1 and 2) are delivered, and the level 2 programme offers 7 courses.

Our academic outcomes are amongst the best nationally, complemented by a wide ranging enrichment programme. We believe that education can transform the lives of individuals and we understand that learning can offer new and exciting life opportunities for us all. Indeed, it is our absolute belief in the positive power of education that motivates our fantastic members of staff in all that they do.

There are high expectations from us around performance and work ethic for students to achieve or exceed their aspirations by taking responsibility for shaping their own future. When they join us, students will be part of a learning community that has supported thousands of young people to move onto higher education or apprenticeships. We guarantee consistent, friendly and individual professional support to each and every one of our students to help them do the same.

We recruit a range of students who are attracted to our facilities and record of achievement.  Significant numbers progress to the most prestigious Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. Similarly, our programmes attract many who want to improve their occupational competence and secure apprenticeships, therefore we offer a wide range of A Levels, BTECs and a suite of Level 2 courses to enable students to strengthen their qualifications before progressing onto the next stage.

At Prior Pursglove and Stockton Sixth Form College we keep building on our solid reputation and success for educational excellence, delivering a curriculum that fulfils the future workforce needs, enhances personal growth and enables students to meet their career goals. The college prides itself on the intrinsic value of learning and plays a vital role in helping young people to step into adulthood.

In achieving this, our partnership with students and parents is based on mutual respect and the desire to continuously improve by listening to each other and refining the learning experience.