As Central Saint Michael’s celebrates 10 years of student success, Principal Dr Matt Lamb looks back on the incredible journey and looks forward to an exciting future.

“It was in the spring of 2011 that I saw an advert looking for someone to work with Sandwell College to start a brand new sixth form in West Bromwich.

I had worked in sixth forms for the previous 14 years but this looked like an amazing opportunity to shape something brand new.

So, I applied, I was interviewed and appointed and started, all alone, in the autumn of 2011. I started to recruit staff and students and we started as Central Sixth, on the sixth floor of the new Sandwell College building, with 200 eager students.

We started to grow as our reputation for academic excellence and a student-focussed experience grew, and we attracted more and more students.”

Grown

“It was in 2014 that we moved to our new home at the arts centre formerly known as The Public and we became Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form.

Since then, Central Saint Michael’s has grown to more than 800 students and we offer more than 30 different qualifications.

Many of our students come from families where they are the first to go on to university. Some of our students have come across the globe to complete their education with us.”

Harmonious

“Central Saint Michael’s has become a harmonious community where hard work and dedication are valued and success and achievement are celebrated.

It has not always been easy. Some of our students (and staff) have struggled with personal problems which might have threatened their academic success. However, working together, and with the support of the college, the staff and the students, these problems have been overcome.”

Dedication

“Our students have achieved excellent results. Our A Level and Diploma results are all way in excess of national averages – a tribute to the dedication and hard work of staff and students.

These students have gone to universities, from Oxford and other Russell Group institutions, to local providers such as Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Warwick.

They are now forging successful careers as vets, teachers, doctors, lawyers, social workers, graphic designers, architects and many other rewarding and valued professions.

I am extremely proud of what we have built here at Central Saint Michael’s and the success that our students have enjoyed.”

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