The Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) is an organisation that represents over 90 sixth form education providers in England; its members are sixth form colleges and other providers of 16–19 education, including academies and further education colleges. There are over 160,000 students studying at a sixth form college, and the sector is responsible for over 20% of the A levels sat in England each year.
SFCA has been representing the interests of the sector since sixth form colleges became independent corporations in 1992.[1] The SFCA leads national negotiations with recognised trade unions on pay and conditions of staff in 16-19 providers. The SFCA produces a range of publications, including an annual funding survey[2] that outlines the impact of funding cuts on 16-19 providers.[3][4]
The SFCA also act as the secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sixth Form Colleges.[5]
Post-16 area reviews
editIn 2015, the Department for Education announced a major restructuring of the further education sector, through 37 area reviews of post-16 provision.[6] The SFCA criticised the reviews for not directly including providers of post-16 education other than colleges, such as school and academy sixth forms and independent training providers.[7] The proposals were similarly criticised by NUS then-Vice President for Further Education Shakira Martin for not sufficiently taking into account the impact on learners.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Further and Higher Education Act 1992". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ SFCA. "Funding Impact Survey" (PDF). Sixth Form Colleges Association. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- ^ Burns, Judith (16 June 2014). "Cuts 'risk standards' at top sixth form colleges". BBC News: Education. BBC. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Kewin, James (17 June 2014). "Sixth-form colleges shrinking in face of funding cuts". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ "Sixth Form Colleges". AllParty.org. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ [1] Department for Education. Retrieved 01 May 2017.
- ^ Burke, Jude (8 July 2016). "MPs launch inquiry into post-16 area reviews". FE Week. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ Robertson, Alix (20 April 2016). "Shakira Martin re-elected as NUS vice president for FE". FE Week. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
