HEREFORD Sixth Form College has been awarded £1.3 million from the Education Funding Agency to build a new mathematics department.

Work on the building is due to start next month and be completed by December in time for students and staff to use it from next year.

The department, which is currently based in mobile classrooms, will be an extension of the recently opened business block at the Folly Lane campus and will provide eight classrooms and staff offices.

"Jonathan Godfrey, Principal at Hereford Sixth Form College, said “Following this stage in our accommodation strategy all departments in the college will be housed in purpose-built new or refurbished classrooms.

"Mathematics is one of the largest departments in the college with a national reputation for the quality of its work.

"The department has superb results and an excellent record of preparing students for Oxbridge entry with seven students gaining places for Maths degrees in the last three years.

"In addition, the college prepares many students for retake examinations in GCSE Maths if they have not gained a grade C or above at their previous school.

"Staff have developed the ability to instill confidence in students who have not previously been successful and many go on to gain this important qualification”.