I would like to briefly introduce myself to you as the new principal of Rochdale Sixth Form College (RSFC).

Firstly, I would like to say how thrilled I am to have started. RSFC is an exceptional college with an exceptional mission. It is a flagship for what sixth form colleges should be, and for what they can do. It is my pledge that as principal I will cherish and build on everything that makes RSFC so special, so the college can be the very best it can be.

As I am sure you already know, students at RSFC consistently perform at the highest level and exceed their target grades, as evidenced by the college’s position in the Department for Education’s performance tables. What a great tribute this is to the partnership of learning that exists between students, teachers and support staff: RSFC students are hard-working, tenacious and exhibit exemplary behaviour; RSFC teachers and support staff are highly skilled and dedicated professionals. Consequently, RSFC has a national reputation for excellence. Schools, other colleges, ministers and policy makers regularly reference RSFC as an example of the very best practice in the sector. As you can imagine, I feel very lucky to have joined such an amazing college.I also thought you might find it useful to know a little about my background. I have worked in colleges since 1993. Initially as a teacher of Sociology to A level and GCSE, but also on teacher training programmes, BTEC and ACCESS courses and teaching first year degree students. I also have considerable senior management experience in colleges, with my time at those colleges always resulting in very high levels of student achievement and progress. Most recently, I worked for Ofsted as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors for Further Education and Skills. This has given me an invaluable insight into the workings of Ofsted and the practices of a very wide range of post-16 providers. It is my intention to use these, and other experiences, to make a practical and direct improvement to the lives and achievements of the young people who attend Rochdale Sixth Form College.

Richard Ronksley

Principal