Stamford College, Lincolnshire

New College Stamford is a Further Education college on Drift Road in Stamford, UK.

History

The college opened as "Stamford College" in 1967. It is next door to [http://www.leisureconnection.co.uk/centre/2/50/stamford-leisure-pool.html Stamford Leisure Pool] .

It offers a wide variety of courses from childcare, computing, sport and arts etc. The college also provides a selection of higher education (DipHE) courses associated with Universities (including the University of Lincoln). The Principal, Miles Dibsdall, (2006 onwards) has made many positive alterations to the college with the available funding and has big plans for the future. One big alteration was the name change from Stamford College to New College Stamford in September 2006. There were plans for a large leisure complex to be built next to the site, but these were rejected in 2003 by SKDC's planning committee as being a potential nuisance for nearby residents [http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/BID-TO-REVIVE-LEISURE-PLAN.657613.jp] .During the first year of leadership by the current principlal, Miles Dibsdall the college has create brand new partnerships with three universities in the surrounding counties these being Bishop Groseteste University College (Lincoln, The University of Lincoln and The University of Northampton. This is with the aim of these higher education organisations to validate many of the new degree courses the college currently offered and to also further the degrees that is offers. (Another positive move for the college).As of February 2008 New College Stamford has become the only Further Education College in the area to provide AS and A2 levels, this is due to the announcement by Peterborough Regional College that they would be refocusing to a vocational college more than academic.

Courses

Further Education Areas

A-Levels, BTEC, GNVQ, Computing, Multimedia, Health and Social Care, Pre-Uniformed Services ( [http://www.ncfe.org.uk NCFE] ), Sciences, Arts, Construction, Sports, Animal Care, Hair and Beauty, and Catering.

Higher Education Courses

(As of 2007/08) Web Technology, Multimedia Technology, Administration, Art and Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Business, Education/PGCE. In association with [http://www.lincoln.ac.uk Lincoln University] .

Extra learning and Support

Key Skills levels 1 - 3 in Application of Number, Information Technology and Communication. Wider Key Skills (Tutorial) cover communication, writing, presenting, team building and learning some important life aspects including sexually transmitted infections. Value Added Time (VATs) is where a student sees their course leader on a one-to-one basis every so often. Course progress etc are discussed here. Tutorial (apart from covering Wider Key Skills) is where your learning group get to socialise with one another away from the normal working environment. You also have a student advisor who you keep for the year, making sure college and home life are okay and will deal with any issues. This member of staff takes the Tutorial sessions.

Extra help can be provided if necessary. This comes in handy when work needs to be proof-read etc. Do not be put off enrolling at college due to learning difficulties. The learning support team are here to help you achieve and open your career aspects.

ixth form

In September 2007, Stamford got its first state sixth form, offering 25 A level courses [http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/Stamford-to-get-sixth-form.1933313.jp] . Prior to that, students had to choose individual A level courses at New College (difficult to arrange a coincident timetable for everyone), or maybe attend the Robert Manning College in Bourne.

Future Developments

The college is continually looking to increase the amount of Higher Education courses it can offer, giving students the choice to remain at college rather than going to University. The Further Education courses are always becoming bigger and better and the pass rates are set to keep increasing.

One major development is the new build in 2010 [http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/College-plans-35m-move.1870150.jp] . The current building will be demolished in the near future once the new building has been developed behind the Drift Road campus. The new building will mainly be underground, with the main floor being visible. Glass flooring will allow some working areas to be visible to visitors, students and parents. Natural sunlight will be reflected the floors below via some form of shaft. The new build will be very modern and will allow the college to extend its courses even more. With the removal of the main "tower" building one of the main landmarks of the town will be removed and a shadow over the surrounding residentual homes removed also. (A possitive move for the residents of Stamford as a whole).

Long term plans

New College Stamford aims to evolve into a small University in a few years time [http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/New-College-unveils-university-dream.3201512.jp] , offering a full course of study in qualifications like the BSc (Hons) rather than doing two years at Stamford (DipHE) and the final 3rd year at Lincoln (BSc (Hons) for example.

ee also

* Peterborough Regional College

External links

* [http://www.stamford.ac.uk Website]