Swindon College

Swindon College is a medium-sized, general further education college operating mainly from one site near the town centre. With a turnover of around £21 million it offers courses primarily in work related areas and has industry standard facilities in a number of these, including construction, engineering and catering.

The college has approximately 6,500 further education students (including 500 apprentices) and 500 higher education students. Its main higher education partners are the University of Bath and Oxford Brookes University.

The focus of provision is vocational education and training, taking into account local skills needs, progression to higher education, further training opportunities and the 14-19 strategy for Swindon.

The college’s success rates have risen significantly over the last four years and it was awarded Grade 1 Outstanding status by Ofsted in 2013.

The college has also has an Outstanding (Ofsted) Train to Gain (training for those in employment) provision and a further 2,650 students achieved qualifications through this route last year either in the workplace or in college.

The college was awarded the Matrix Standard in 2010 and the Training Quality Standard in 2011, respectively recognising the quality of its advice and guidance and its high standards of business training and work with employers.

Swindon has traditionally been characterised by low unemployment and relatively high wages but despite this the college serves many areas of social and economic deprivation. The economic downturn has had a significant effect on the town with major employers reducing staff numbers. The college has responded well to this and has run a number of courses aimed at the unemployed in addition to working proactively with employers.

The college continues to grow its lower level provision to address the growing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) and runs a number of innovative projects in the community in order to meet the needs of this market.