Bedford College (Bedford)
Encyclopedia
Bedford College is a further education
college in the Cauldwell area of Bedford
, Bedfordshire
, England. It is the only public further education college in the Borough of Bedford
, and it is a member of the 157 Group
of high performing schools.
, although its roots can be traced to the founding of Bedford Training College for Teachers in 1882. Following construction of the college's six-storey tower block, opened on 19 June 1959, the College became known as Mander College of Further Education. The college was named after Sir Frederick Mander, who was Chairman of Bedfordshire County Council
at the time of the tower's construction. The tower was erected at a cost of £282,510, plus £4,085 for external works.
In 1976 the college combined with two teacher training institutions to form the split-site Bedford College of Higher Education
. The college remained in this form until 1992, when Further Education
colleges achieved independent status from Local Education Authorities. Bedford College was formed as a Further Education Institute to concentrate on provision within this sector, remaining at the Cauldwell Street campus. The Higher Education
areas of the college separated in 1994 to become the Bedford
campus of the De Montfort University
, but later merged with the University of Luton to form the University of Bedfordshire
. Bedford College retains some Higher Education provision, and provides a number of foundation degrees and select teaching qualifications in association with the University of Bedfordshire.
In July 2009, the college was formally awarded Beacon Status
by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
. The status means that Bedford College has been recognised as one of the best further education colleges in the United Kingdom.
Bedford College offers a range of qualifications including GCSEs, A Levels, Apprenticeships, Access to Higher Education courses and Foundation Education.
The areas of study include -
. This small adult education centre offers part time courses for the local community in Queens Park. Bedford College also operates three 'Learning Centres' located in the town centres of Bedford
, Luton
and Rushden
which offer IT skills and courses.
) intends to sponsor John Bunyan Upper School (a state comprehensive school in Bedford) thereby turning the school into an Academy
. This was confirmed by Bedfordshire County Council
the following June. The new Bedford Academy opened in September 2010.
, Central Bedfordshire
had become part of Bedford College. Shuttleworth College (previously part of Writtle College
) mainly provides courses and training in agriculture
and the natural environment
.
Further education
Further education is a term mainly used in connection with education in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is post-compulsory education , that is distinct from the education offered in universities...
college in the Cauldwell area of Bedford
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
, England. It is the only public further education college in the Borough of Bedford
Bedford (borough)
Bedford is a unitary authority with the status of a borough in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England. Its council is based at Bedford, which is also the county town of Bedfordshire. The borough contains a single urban area, the 69th largest in the United Kingdom that comprises Bedford and...
, and it is a member of the 157 Group
157 Group
The 157 Group is a group of 28 colleges of further education in England. The group was established in 2006 with an aim of promoting and maintaining high standards of education and management for this type of college...
of high performing schools.
History of Bedford College
Further Education courses have been provided on Bedford College's Cauldwell Street site under some name since World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, although its roots can be traced to the founding of Bedford Training College for Teachers in 1882. Following construction of the college's six-storey tower block, opened on 19 June 1959, the College became known as Mander College of Further Education. The college was named after Sir Frederick Mander, who was Chairman of Bedfordshire County Council
Bedfordshire County Council
Bedfordshire County Council was the county council of the non-metropolitan county of Bedfordshire in England. It was established in 1889 and was abolished on 1 April 2009. The county council was based in Bedford. It was replaced with three unitary authorities: Bedford Borough Council, Central...
at the time of the tower's construction. The tower was erected at a cost of £282,510, plus £4,085 for external works.
In 1976 the college combined with two teacher training institutions to form the split-site Bedford College of Higher Education
Bedford College of Higher Education
Bedford College of Higher Education was a higher education institution in Bedford, England, specializing in teacher training.-History:Until 1976, three separate institutions offered tertiary education in Bedford: Bedford College of Physical Education in Landsdowne Road , Bedford College of...
. The college remained in this form until 1992, when Further Education
Further education
Further education is a term mainly used in connection with education in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is post-compulsory education , that is distinct from the education offered in universities...
colleges achieved independent status from Local Education Authorities. Bedford College was formed as a Further Education Institute to concentrate on provision within this sector, remaining at the Cauldwell Street campus. The Higher Education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
areas of the college separated in 1994 to become the Bedford
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
campus of the De Montfort University
De Montfort University
De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...
, but later merged with the University of Luton to form the University of Bedfordshire
University of Bedfordshire
The University of Bedfordshire is based in Luton and Bedford, the two largest towns in the English county of Bedfordshire. The university was created by the merger of the University of Luton and the Bedford campus of De Montfort University on 1 August 2006 following approval by the Privy Council...
. Bedford College retains some Higher Education provision, and provides a number of foundation degrees and select teaching qualifications in association with the University of Bedfordshire.
Bedford College today
Beacon Status
Beacon Status is a learning and skills recognition of the excellence and innovation which exists within the Learning and Skills sector for the United Kingdom. The award congratulates learning providers that deliver outstanding teaching and learning and are well led and managed...
by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .-Ministers:The BIS...
. The status means that Bedford College has been recognised as one of the best further education colleges in the United Kingdom.
Bedford College offers a range of qualifications including GCSEs, A Levels, Apprenticeships, Access to Higher Education courses and Foundation Education.
The areas of study include -
|
Floristry Floristry is the general term used to describe production, commerce and trade in flowers. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design or flower arranging, merchandising, and display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade... Hairstyle A hairstyle, hairdo, or haircut refers to the styling of hair, usually on the human head. The fashioning of hair can be considered an aspect of personal grooming, fashion, and cosmetics, although practical, cultural, and popular considerations also influence some hairstyles.-History of... , Beauty Cosmetology Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology.... & Holistic therapies Hospitality Hospitality is the relationship between guest and host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. Specifically, this includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, resorts, membership clubs, conventions, attractions, special events, and other services for travelers... & Catering Catering Catering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose... |
Performing arts The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object... Public services Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income... Sport A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree... Travel Travel is the movement of people or objects between relatively distant geographical locations. 'Travel' can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.-Etymology:... & Tourism Tourism Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a... |
Redevelopment
Plans for an £80 million refit of Bedford College are underway. The investment will see many of the college's current buildings pulled down – including the feature tower block – and gradually replaced with new structures. Plans are due to be submitted before the end of 2009, and, if approved, work could start as early as 2010. The new developments will complement the South Bank Arts Centre (opened November 2007) and the college's new sports centre. Two listed buildings will remain – Old College House, and the site occupied by Brooks, hair and beauty training salon.Enterprise House & Learning Centres
As well as the main site on Cauldwell Street, Bedford College operates Enterprise House on Old Ford End Road in Queens Park, BedfordQueens Park, Bedford
Queens Park is an electoral ward and area in Bedford, England. The areas borders are approximately Bromham Road and Beverley Crescent to the north, the Midland Main Line railway line to the east, and the River Great Ouse to the south....
. This small adult education centre offers part time courses for the local community in Queens Park. Bedford College also operates three 'Learning Centres' located in the town centres of Bedford
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
, Luton
Luton
Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000....
and Rushden
Rushden
Rushden is a town and civil parish in the county of Northamptonshire, England.The parish of Rushden covers an area of some and is part of the district of East Northamptonshire. The population of Rushden was estimated at around 28,368, making it the fifth largest town in the county...
which offer IT skills and courses.
Bedford Academy
In January 2008 it was announced that Bedford College (with the Harpur TrustHarpur Trust
The Bedford Charity is a charity in Bedford, England which is principally concerned with the operation of private schools. The Bedford Charity is the legal name, but it is most often referred to as the Harpur Trust....
) intends to sponsor John Bunyan Upper School (a state comprehensive school in Bedford) thereby turning the school into an Academy
Academy (England)
In the education system of England, an academy is a school that is directly funded by central government and independent of control by local government in England. An academy may receive additional support from personal or corporate sponsors, either financially or in kind...
. This was confirmed by Bedfordshire County Council
Bedfordshire County Council
Bedfordshire County Council was the county council of the non-metropolitan county of Bedfordshire in England. It was established in 1889 and was abolished on 1 April 2009. The county council was based in Bedford. It was replaced with three unitary authorities: Bedford Borough Council, Central...
the following June. The new Bedford Academy opened in September 2010.
Shuttleworth College
In August 2009, it was announced that Shuttleworth College in Old WardenOld Warden
Old Warden is a village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, just west of the town of Biggleswade. It has a population of 275. The village grew up under the protection of the Cistercian Wardon or Warden Abbey nearby....
, Central Bedfordshire
Central Bedfordshire
Central Bedfordshire is a unitary authority in the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England. It was created from the merger of Bedfordshire County Council, Mid Bedfordshire and South Bedfordshire on 1 April 2009...
had become part of Bedford College. Shuttleworth College (previously part of Writtle College
Writtle College
Writtle College is one of the largest land-based university colleges in the UK; it is also one of the oldest. Writtle, previously known as Writtle Agricultural College, is a Partner Institution of the University of Essex and teaches FE and HE programmes.- Writtle :The college has diversified over...
) mainly provides courses and training in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and the natural environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
.