Colleges need extra A-level funding

The Association of Colleges claims colleges need Pounds 700 extra per student per year to deliver the new A-level curriculum being introduced from September 2000.

The association, which holds its 16-19 summer conference next week, argues that if colleges receive the same level of funding as school sixth forms in 2001-02 - between Pounds 3,100 and Pounds 3,300 per student - they will be able to offer the choice of A-level subjects demanded by the new curriculum. This means they could potentially help smaller school sixth forms by working in partnership.

The AOC says the extra Pounds 35 million a year can be found within existing Further Education Funding Council resources.