Students at Calderdale College are backing a national campaign to close the funding gap between school sixth forms and further education or sixth form colleges.

Colleges receive at least ten per cent less per student than schools for providing the same courses. The average college would gain £500,000 per year if the funding gap were closed. Two thirds of 16 to 19 year-olds study in college.

George Richardson, chair of governors at Calderdale College, is joining a mass lobby of parliament taking place today (Wednesday 16 March), organised by the Association of Colleges with backing from education leaders, MPs, unions, lecturers and the NUS.

President of Calderdale College Student Union, Sophie Moore, 17, said “The current situation is obviously unfair on the 701,000 16 to 18-year-olds who chose to study in local colleges. We’re calling on all political parties to give a manifesto pledge that they will close the funding gap.”

Monica Box, principal of Calderdale College, said “We’re delighted that our students are working with this campaign. There can be no doubt that our student needs are as great as those in schools but, at the moment, funding is unacceptably worse. We will be discussing the issue with our local MPs Alice Mahon and Chris Mcafferty.”

If you would like to sign a petition for fair funding click this link www.aoc.co.uk