Shrewsbury Colleges Group gives students greater choices and dedicated subject resources at different campus locations and is proud to offer the largest and most flexible curriculum offer within Shropshire, comprising of A Levels, Vocational Diplomas, Apprenticeships and Higher Education qualifications.
Student Services are based on all three campuses, offering impartial advice and guidance to help you make decisions about your education and training or choice of career. We will also support you with issues with your health, travel well-being, finances and studies.
We believe it’s important for parents/carers to be a part of each student’s progress at College. Each academic year parents/carers can discuss progress and progression plans with teaching staff. These events are provided for consultation between parents, staff and students so we strongly recommend that parents and students attend these evenings together.
We would like to inform our students who live in Wales about two announcements that may affect their transport arrangements for September and the Autumn Term.
Shrewsbury Colleges Group is delighted to announce that one of our A Level Graphic Communication students has been successful in designing the logo for the Shropshire Business Board.
The College requiring students to use face coverings when not in lessons and moving between areas of the campus.
As the summer draws to an end, our thoughts are turning to the start of the new term. We wanted to set out what you can expect when we welcome you back and what arrangements we have made to ensure the safety of students and staff as we return to College in September 2020.
Ofqual has announced this afternoon (Monday 17th August) that they will now award grades on the basis of what teachers submitted through the Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs).
Shrewsbury Colleges Group has issued a statement following the release and then subsequent withdrawal of Ofqual guidance to colleges about the A Level grading appeals process.
Shrewsbury Colleges Group Principal, James Staniforth has hailed the achievements and resilience of the Class of 2020 as the results for A Levels, and many vocational courses have been issued today, Thursday 13th August 2020.
Shrewsbury Colleges Group is congratulating the A Level and vocational courses students who have received their results today in unprecedented times. A Level results for the students have been particularly pleasing with more than 50% of students receiving an A* to B grade at A Level or a Distinction* or Distinction at BTEC this year. The overall pass rate was 98%.
We are delighted to welcome new students to Shrewsbury Colleges Group for September 2020.
Unfortunately, the current situation with the COVID-19 virus outbreak means that we are unable to invite our new students to attend our usual Pre-Enrolment events in College.
It has been said many times, and undoubtedly, it will be said many more times, but 2020 has been a truly exceptional year. The impact of COVID-19 virus has reached all aspects of our society locally, nationally and internationally.
Updated 17th August 2020 to include:
Updated statement about the A Level results and the appeals process
At Shrewsbury Colleges Group, we have seen our students have had to make many adjustments to the way that they have engaged with the College, their teachers and their friends.
We are genuinely proud of the efforts that our students have made with their education and their contribution that a large proportion has made to their local communities. Many students will be, and should be, proud of the grades they have been awarded. They reflect the hard work and commitment they put into their studies. These achievements are also the result of the excellent teaching and support they have received, both at college and in their previous schools, and the support of their families. Well done to everyone on all the successes.
However, the College has been impacted by the controversial standardisation of results approach adopted by the results award regulator, Ofqual. It is critically important that the statistical method used to award grades does not disadvantage individual students, which was the promise made by the government when the decision was taken to cancel exams this summer.
The Secretary of State for Education announced on Wednesday 12th August that there would be a ‘Triple Lock’ applied to give students increased security as they receive their grades this year. Students will be able to accept their calculated grades or appeal to receive a valid mock result or sit autumn exams. All of these options will carry the same value for universities and employers. Students who would like to use a valid mock result will be able to do so through the appeals process. They will need to notify the College who in turn will provide evidence of the mock results of the student to the relevant exam board.
Appeals Process Update Following the release and then subsequent withdrawal of Ofqual guidance to colleges about the A Level grading appeals process on Saturday 15th August 2020, the college would like to confirm the following. We will continue to work with our students to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes to allow them to progress onto university, apprenticeship and employment.
Currently, there is not a clear process for appealing the awarded grades issued on Thursday 13th August. Ofqual released appeals guidance to colleges on Saturday afternoon, but this guidance was then withdrawn just before midnight on Saturday. We have not had any further information from Ofqual at this time.
Once the appeals process has been advised to the college by Ofqual or the Department for Education, we will communicate directly to students via the website and email to outline the next steps. In anticipation of the likely approach to the appeals, we have issued the colleges’ Centre Assessed Grading (CAGs) to students’ Pro-Portal on Friday 14th August.
The exam results helpline will be available from 12th to 28th August to provide additional support to students and their parents/carers as they receive their exam results.
The helpline will have direct access to experienced careers advisers who can give guidance on the different options available to them including A Levels, BTECs and other vocational subjects.
Support will also be available on topics such as clearing, university, gap years and the autumn 2020 exam series.
Phone: 0800 100 900
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 8am to 10pm
Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs)
We have made available to students the Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) that we had submitted to Ofqual for A Level students and these will be available on students’ Pro-Portal from Friday 14th August.
Shrewsbury Colleges Group has been recognised for its work during the covid pandemic by being shortlisted for the ‘Entrepreneurial Spirit Award’ at Shropshire Chamber Champion Awards.
Thank you for your enquiry about an application, now that term has started please ring the Admissions team on 01743 342346 for Vocational courses at London Road or 01743 260410 for A levels and Art courses based at English Bridge and Welsh Bridge and they will help you with your application. Voice messages can be left, please give clear details about contact numbers.
