The project was funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) from the Ethnic Minority Student Achievement Grant (EMSAG). There is a perception that black minorities are underachieving in Norfolk. However, whether the perceived underachievement is related to gender (i.e. proportion of males versus females compared to the general population), is a consequence of statistics (i.e. colleges with very small numbers of ethnic minority students having more statistical weighting per individual) or ethnicity has yet to be determined. The main objective of the project was to identify the differences in retention and achievement rates between white and ethnic minority students in City College Norwich, particularly black minority males and to look at the reasons behind under achievement. The project compared rates for male and female, 16-18 and the 19+ age group students, and different ethnic groupings in order to discover areas where achievement and retention efforts should be focussed. The research found that at CCN differences in “achievement” amongst FE students do exist by ethnic group. Two key areas for consideration are highlighted as requiring attention to raise the attainment of groups of FE students that are performing less well. These relate to examples of good practice that CCN needs to consider carefully as worthy of implementation at the college, as well as issues warranting further research.

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