Woodhouse College
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| Principal: | Ann Robinson |
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| Student Population: | 926 (2003) |
| Location: | Woodhouse Road, Finchley, London N12 9EY |
Woodhouse College is a single site sixth form college situated between North Finchley and Friern Barnet on the eastern side of the London Borough of Barnet. The college caters mainly for full-time students aged 16 to 18 whose primary aim is to progress to higher education (HE). The learners it recruits have truly outstanding levels of attainment and high aspirations. A significant proportion of students travel from outside the borough of Barnet, from as far as Haringey, Enfield and Harrow to attend the college.
About Woodhouse College
In January 2003, there were 926 students on roll. The sixth form curriculum reflects the strong demand for General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary (GCE AS) and GCE Advanced-level (GCE A-level) courses. There are two vocational GCE A-level courses, Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) (double award) in business and in ICT and one General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) intermediate business course. Some 97% of the work of the college is provided for learners at level 3 with around 3% at level 2 and none at level 1. In the 2002/03, 88% of the students are taking GCE AS/A-level courses, 10% AVCEs and 2% intermediate GNVQ.
Barnet, with high employment rates, has accounted for over 70% of net employment growth within North London over the period 1993 to 1998. The borough has well above average educational attainment levels compared with the rest of London. Barnet contains the largest Jewish community in London and a significant Indian community, about 9% of the population in the borough.
The college mission aims to `provide a high quality full-time education for students who seek a structured and supportive environment' and to enable students to progress to HE, further education (FE), or to employment. The college puts emphasis on `the value added achievement of its students across their range of abilities and aspirations, celebrating the success of every individual.'
Ofsted Report
The quality of education is outstanding in science, visual and performing arts and media, humanities, English and modern foreign languages. It is good in mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT) and satisfactory in business studies. Key strengths include:
- Very high pass rates
- Outstanding retention rates
- Much very effective teaching and learning
- Very good advice and guidance
- Highly effective work experience
- Excellent support through subject tutorials
- Good course management
- Thorough monitoring of student progress
Students achieve high standards. In 2001/02, the average point score for students' achievement at GCE AS/A level is 21.7, which is significantly higher than the England average of 17.8 and the local average of 17.1. Of the local providers, the college had the highest number of entrants for GCE AS/A-level examinations at 402 in 2001. The average AVCE point score with 20 entries in 2001 was 15.6, higher than both the England average (10.2) and the local average (10.4). Value added analysis of achievement indicates that learners on level 3 courses do relatively better than prior attainment might suggest. This was particularly the case in GCE AS/A-level French and Spanish and in GCE AS and A-level economics and accounting in 2002. However, in GCE A-level science and art and GCE AS business, over three years, students' progress in relation to students' prior attainment is low.
Links
Woodhouse College Official Website [1]
BBC News Education League Tables [2]