Students snap up new sixth form places

Places at Sandwell's newest sixth form have all been snapped up months before it even opens to students.

More than 850 people applied to study A Levels at the new Central Sixth at the £77 million Sandwell College development in West Bromwich.

With just 250 places on offer, college bosses have now been forced to put a block on interviewing new cadidates and a waiting list has been put in place.

The new sixth form, which will occupy the whole top floor of Central Campus in Spon Lane, has been hailed a massive success by its director Dr Matt Lamb as the target of 250 acceptances was smashed months ahead of its opening in September.

Applications are now closed and Dr Lamb has been forced to put a block on interviewing new candidates after receiving more than 850 applications from prospective students.

A long waiting list for reserve places is forming for the sixth form, which is attracting floods of applications from across the borough of Sandwell and areas beyond the border such as Sutton Coldfield and Stourbridge.

Dr Lamb, said: "We have recruited a talented team of experienced and inspirational lecturers, and have had an incredible response from applicants.

"This just proves there is a big demand for a top quality sixth form in Sandwell, giving students the best chance for their future success in a state-of-the-art learning environment.

"We will be helping students get into top university courses and career professions, encouraging them to be self-motivated, and independent learners."

Central Sixth will offer 30 different A Level subjects from maths to media studies and English to economics. Students have already moved into the new college building, which hosts up to 10,000 full and part-time students.