New College, Swindon

New College is a further and higher education institution in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. There are two main campuses, Queens Drive and North Star, as well as an Adult Learning Centre in Swindon town centre.

New College Swindon
Address
New College Drive

Swindon
,
Wiltshire
,
SN3 1AH

England
Coordinates51.5575°N 1.7583°W / 51.5575; -1.7583
Information
TypeFurther and higher education
Established1983 (1983)
Department for Education URN130851 Tables
OfstedReports
Acting PrincipalLeah Palmer
GenderCoeducational
Enrolmentapprox. 4,800
Websitewww.newcollege.ac.uk

The College delivers qualifications and training opportunities for learners of all ages and abilities including GCSEs, A Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications, higher education and degree-level courses, apprenticeships, professional and business training, and leisure courses.[1]

History

In August 2020, New College merged with Swindon College.[2]

Leah Palmer was appointed as interim principal and chief executive at the start of the 2023–2024 academic year, replacing Carole Kitching who held those roles from 2018.[3]

Sites

Queens Drive Campus

The Queens Drive campus is just outside the town centre, near Coate Water Country Park. Facilities include:

  • The Phoenix Theatre
  • Studios for media makeup, art, design, fashion and textiles; photography studio with darkroom
  • Recording studio with Live Room, Control Room and hardware and sequencing software
  • Two dance studios
  • Sports Centre with sports hall, fitness suite and exercise studio
  • 3G pitch
  • E-learning with Virtual Learning Environment
  • Over 1500 computers including tablets, Apple computers, Windows PCs and netbooks
  • STEM facilities including nine science labs.

North Star Campus

Formerly the site of Swindon College, the North Star campus is in the centre of Swindon near the railway station. Facilities include:

  • Wellbeing Centre
  • Gym
  • Learning Development Centre
  • Purpose-built construction centre with outdoor simulated construction site
  • Training workshops for automotive, engineering and construction
  • Bespoke facilities for animal care
  • The Academy, a commercial hair and beauty salon
  • A professional training restaurant, coffee shop and specialist teaching kitchens
  • Computer suites.

Courses

New College is known for its range of courses offered, with almost 40 A Level subjects – including unusual options such as Ceramics, History (Tudors & Stuarts), Archaeology and Environmental Sciences – and a selection of vocational courses including Construction, Engineering, Vehicle Maintenance, Hospitality & Catering, Public Services, Hair & Beauty, Health Care & Childcare, Sport, Performing Arts and Art, Design & Photography. The College also offers a substantial number of programmes at Levels 1 and 2 as well as part-time qualification, leisure courses and professional training for adults.

New College runs a football academy where students train and play, usually alongside an academic course.[4] Until 2020 they fielded New College Swindon F.C. (previously New College Academy F.C.) who competed in the Hellenic League. The college also offers a basketball academy[5] and a netball academy.[6]

University partnerships

New College Swindon has formed partnerships with the University of Gloucestershire,[7] Oxford Brookes University[8] and Bath Spa University to offer a range of foundation degrees and degrees.[9]

Notable alumni

Former and current sporting alumni include Shelley Rudman (skeleton bob), Laura Halford (rhythmic gymnastics), Debbie Palmer (speed skating and ice hockey), Jaime King (swimming), Jon Lewis (cricket), Matt O'Dowd (athletics), Louise Hunt (wheelchair tennis), and Anna Mayes (netball).

Achievements

New College was assessed as 'good' when last visited by Ofsted in November 2017.[10]

  • A Level pass rate of 98%, with over 41% of grades at A*, A or B (Summer 2019)[11]
  • Number one for College Achievement rates amongst local colleges[11][12]
  • The top performing state school/college for Level progress in Swindon and Cirencester (January 2020 performance tables)[11]

See also

References
  1. "About the College - New College Swindon". www.newcollege.ac.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  2. "Merger information - New College Swindon". www.newcollege.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  3. Forshee, Oscar (4 July 2023). "Principal of New College to retire". Swindon Link. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  4. "Football Academy". New College Swindon. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  5. "Basketball Academy". New College Swindon. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  6. "Netball Academy". New College Swindon. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  7. "UK academic partners". Knowledge Base. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  8. "Partner colleges". Oxford Brookes University. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  9. "University Partners - Higher Education". he.newcollege.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  10. Ofsted Communications Team (8 October 2020). "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  11. "OFSTED awards and accreditation - New College Swindon". www.newcollege.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  12. "National achievement rates tables 2018 to 2019". GOV.UK. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
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