STUDENTS at Grimsby's Franklin College have a higher chance of successfully completing their courses than those attending school sixth forms, latest Government figures show.
The Chelmsford Avenue site has a success rate of 86 per cent, compared to 64 per cent for Oasis Academy Immingham, 56 per cent for Tollbar Academy and 45 per cent for David Ross Education Trust, which runs Havelock Academy.
It means more pupils at Franklin finish their course and achieve a pass rate than the national average for 16-18 education providers, which is 82 per cent.
Principal Trevor Wray said: "Like most colleges, we've been aware of this issue for some time.
"Without the data, though, it was hard to prove this was the case.
"Now this is available, hopefully parents and young people will be able to make a better informed choice at 16."
Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell says the college's success demonstrates why the Government's emphasis on academies with their own sixth forms might not be the best way forward.
At the moment, there is unequal funding between academies and colleges, which sees Franklin lose out by more than £200,000 per year.
Mr Mitchell said: "At long last the Department for Education has released the comparative data we should have had years ago, comparing success rates of schools and colleges.
"Along with the people of Grimsby, I'm very proud of Franklin. It's been successful in providing a wide range of courses, excellent teaching and a university atmosphere for our young people.
"Yet government pay scales fail to recognise the benefit of sixth form colleges, so the money allocated per student is less than that going to sixth forms in schools."
The success rate figures – which have been calculated for the first time – are contained in a document called Qualification Success Rates for State-funded School and Academy Sixth Forms in England For The Academic Year 2011 to 2012.
MP Mitchell said parents should take the time to study the information carefully.
He added: "Parents now have a chance to evaluate sixth form performance across all educational establishments.
"If they do, they can see that Franklin is not only what I've always said it to be, an excellent education provider, but the best in the area, and certainly better than sending young people out of North East Lincolnshire into Lincolnshire or to fee-paying schools."
To view the data, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/qualification-success-rates-for-school-sixth- forms-2011-to-2012
