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Local officials and an exam board have launched investigations into a Yorkshire college\u2019s ESOL achievement rates.<\/p>\n
Allegations of dodgy English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) results in 2023-24 have emerged at The Sheffield College.<\/p>\n
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, which funds the college\u2019s ESOL courses through the adult skills fund, is investigating the issue.<\/p>\n
The college has suspended two senior staff members, according to local newspaper\u00a0The Tribune, and launched its own internal investigation.<\/p>\n
Awarding organisation City & Guilds has also launched an inquiry into the college\u2019s delivery of ESOL courses and reportedly revoked the college\u2019s \u201cdirect claims status\u201d, which allows the college to mark exams and verify results without confirmation from the exam body.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Sheffield College is currently the largest ESOL provider outside of London. It recorded over 7,500 leavers for its ESOL courses in each of the last two years.<\/p>\n
The college had the highest ESOL achievement rates in the country in 2022-23, at 96.5 per cent, and ranked third in 2023-24 with 94.4 per cent.<\/p>\n
A Sheffield College spokesperson said they are taking the matter \u201cvery seriously\u201d and confirmed an initial internal investigation into \u201cone of our academy areas has taken place\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was in response to concerns raised about some achievement claims and associated certification for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students in 2023-24,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
It added: \u201cAs investigations are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further until those have concluded.\u201d<\/p>\n
AoC steps in<\/strong><\/p>\n The college reportedly conducted a previous investigation into \u201cmaladministration\u201d of ESOL delivery but concluded there was no intentional manipulation of results.<\/p>\n But it has allegedly now suspended two senior staff members pending the outcome of this new internal investigation. The college\u2019s spokesperson refused to confirm the suspensions.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Association of Colleges has stepped in to help.<\/p>\n It has brought in a consultant to run the college\u2019s ESOL department while the investigations are ongoing.<\/p>\n The AoC refused to confirm who was leading the department due to the ongoing probe.<\/p>\n An AoC spokesperson said: \u201cIt would be inappropriate to comment while the college\u2019s initial internal investigation is ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n Sheffield College\u2019s CEO and principal, Angela Foulkes, sits on the AoC board as Yorkshire and the Humber representative.\u00a0<\/p>\n Large ASF allocations<\/strong><\/p>\n South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, led by Oliver Coppard, has had a devolved adult skills fund (ASF) since 2021, and the college has repeatedly been awarded the largest share of the budget.\u00a0<\/p>\n It received the top share (18 per cent) of over \u00a37 million in ASF allocations from a \u00a339.3 million budget in 2021-22.<\/p>\n The college\u2019s core ASF income from the MCA grew to \u00a310.2 million the next year, a quarter of the authority\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n