STUDENTS will be made to sign contracts in an effort to boost their achievements and attendance at Seevic College.

Principal Nick Spenceley wants to see students “treated like employees”, with those not working hard held more accountable.

The contract will see students having their attendance and performance closely monitored.

If they fell below a certain threshold, they will receive calls and text messages from the college telling them to improve.

Their parents could then be called in for meetings.

Mr Spenceley, who took over from Sarah Wright in January, said: “I am very proud of our students this year.

“They have been a great bunch.

“But next year, students will have to enter into what will effectively be a signed agreement requiring them to work hard, turn up on time, and be prepared, so hopefully we will see even better results.

“We will basically be treating them like employees.”

Students at the college in Runnymede Chase, Thundersley, secured a 98 per cent pass rate for A-levels last week, but Mr Spenceley says the new crop can do even better.

Mr Spenceley used the contract system at Harlow College, which it is thought helped it achieve the highest attainment levels in the country for two years running.

He added: “There is a direct correlation between attendance and attainment. We all know people who swan around throughout the year and still get good grades, but they are a small exception.

“There is no substitute for self discipline. This is very much about working with students, to make sure they treat their studies seriously.” However, former Seevic student Rob Stephens, 19, of Eastwoodbury Lane, Southend, who studied for a diploma in engineering last year, said: “Signing a contract requiring you to work harder is not going to make a difference, especially when people are not getting paid to go.

“If people want to work hard they will.

“Those that do not want to work will not be encouraged to do so, just because they have signed an agreement.”