York Guides

James Reed (Yorkshire Post)
ONE of Yorkshire's oldest educational institutions has been given the power to award its own degrees, and is now considering changing its name.

Students at York St John College are currently awarded degrees from Leeds University, but that will change starting with those enrolling in 2007.
Thoughts are now turning to a change of name to reflect the college's newfound status and an announcement is expected before the end of the year.
Having the power to award its own degrees will give York St John more flexibility over the courses it can offer.
The college began life as the York Diocesan Training School in 1841 and later gave rise to a female training school which was moved to Ripon.
The two were united in 1974 as the College of Ripon & York St John, before all teaching moved back to York and the current name was adopted four years ago.
College principal Professor Dianne Willcocks said: "Our success is a testament to the professionalism and hard work of our staff and is an assurance to our current and future students that York St John provides a high standard of teaching and a quality learning experience within the higher education sector."
Permission to award degrees has to be given by the Privy Council and follows a recommendation by the Quality Assurance Agency, the body which oversees standards in higher education.
York Council's executive member for education, Carol Runciman, said yesterday: "This year, York received an excellent set of A-level results and York St John College's splendid news means that our young people have the opportunity to take their studies in a first class institution that has served the city well for many many years."