The Sixth Form Bolton’s Student Professional Growth Programme Runners-up in SFCA Awards


Image of Stuart Merrills and Sandra McManus

The Sixth Form Principal, Stuart Merrills and Deputy Principal, Sandra McManus

We're delighted to share that our Student Professional Growth Programme was successful in being chosen as a runner-up in the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) Annual Awards in the Independent Learning category.

The SFCA Awards, held in Nottingham, recognise, reward and celebrate excellent practice, significant achievements and exceptional commitment in Sixth Form Colleges.

Our unique and exciting Professional Growth Programme (PGP) supports our students to explore their career goals and future ambitions. PGP is a compulsory element of the student timetable and allows our students to learn independently through online modules linked to their career aspirations.

In partnership with local and national employers, the modules have been developed to upskill our students, bridging the skills gaps within the national and local region, in turn making our students more employable and skilled.

The content is career pathway led, as well as generic skill building.  Pathways include:

  • STEM

  • Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary

  • Law and Public Services

  • Business and Finance

  • Creative Industries

  • Computing and IT

  • Sport and Leadership

The employers we work with include:

  • Microsoft

  • Hewlett Packard

  • Barnardo’s

  • University of Liverpool

  • Edge Hill University

  • KBL Law

Image of Careers Team

The Sixth Form Careers Team

Our Principal, Stuart Merrills and Deputy Principal, Sandra McManus were delighted to accept the award with Sandra saying: Chris Taylor-Hedley , Jill Whitham , Emily Dover and Emma Howard

“Well done to all our fabulous staff who have created the programme. This world class employer-led and supported programme supports our learners to experience meaningful encounters with employers, to assess and develop their employability skills, to upskill their tech skills and build their personal profiles. Special thanks and congrats to our Careers Team:  Chris Taylor-Hedley , Jill Whitham , Emily Dover, Paul Fenner and Emma Howard. Thank you also to all our key employers and digital partners who support our programme including Alexandra Wilkinson and Marie Hamilton from Microsoft; Christine Baldwin, our Community Champion from Asda and Suez, Rockit Bolton, and Hewlett Packard. Great programme and great honour to collect the award.”


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