Exeter College, Devon

Exeter College
Location
Hele Road EX4 4JS

Exeter
,
Devon

England
Information
TypeTertiary college
Established1893 (1893); 1970 (1970) (as F.E. College)
Department for Education URN130645 Tables
OfstedReports
GenderMixed
Age16+
Enrolment7,520 (as of January 2022)[1]
LanguageEnglish
Websitehttps://exe-coll.ac.uk/

Exeter College is a general further education college in Exeter, Devon;[2][3] it was first such college in England,[4][5] and was the highest-ranked in the country in 2017.[6] The college has its origins in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, founded in 1869, and first became an independent institution in 1893 as the Exeter Technical and University Extension College. After using various different sites, the college's preceding institution moved into its present main campus in 1959, and was established in its present form as the first English further education college in 1970.[4] The majority of its present buildings were constructed from 2005 onward.

The college is based around a campus at Hele Road, though owns several other sites around the city, and educates approximately twelve thousand students,[5] including both sixteen to eighteen-year-olds and mature (adult) students. In addition, Exeter College jointly runs the specialist Exeter Mathematics School with the University of Exeter, with the college providing extra-curricular activities and pastoral support, and with students at the Maths School able to study one A.-level at the college.[7] The tower block at the Hele Road campus, completed in 1963, is the third-tallest building in Exeter.[8]

History

Origins, 1869-1893

Exeter College can trace its origins back to the opening of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (R.A.M.M.) in 1869. At its opening, the R.A.M.M. included a School of Science and a School of Art.[9] In January 1891, the local government decided to use the Technical Instruction Act 1889 to either found a new technical institution in the city or to fund lectures and courses in the R.A.M.M.'s two schools.[10] The latter option was chosen, and by June three such lectures had taken place "for the furtherance of technical education among working men", attended by six hundred and sixty people; the local University Extension Committee had sponsored two further "people's lectures", attended by nine hundred people in total. the scheme was subject to some criticism for being poorly-planned.[4]

Preceding institutions, 1893-1970

Exeter College, 1970-present

In September 1970, Exeter Technical College became the first tertiary college in England, combining the features of a typical further education college with a sixth form college. it renamed itself to the Exeter College of Further education[4][11]

In February 1972 the college was renamed to Exeter College.

Exeter College was given approval to offer the International Baccalaureate in December 1992.

Victoria House was purchased by the college in June 1995, and is still in use to this day.

After an inspection in 2000 by the FE Funding Council, the college was declared "one of the best in the west".

In 2012 the Technology centre opened.

In May 2019 the gym and dance studio was opened.[12]

Buildings and sites

Centre for Creative industries

The centre for creative industries is a building dedicated to the creative arts. this includes film and media, physical art, photography and radio broadcasting. they also commonly collaborate with the BBC studio in Exeter.[13]

Centre for Music and Performance

The Centre for Music and Performance is Exeter college's centre for non physical or digital art. the centre for music and Performance mostly teaches performing arts and music. they have purpose built dance floors and rehearsal rooms.[14]

Hele Road building

The Hele Road site is the college's headquarters and beating heart. as well as dealing with much of the college's admin and support tasks. it also teaches hair and beauty, childcare and public services, English language and hospitality.[15]

Digital and Data centre

the Digital and Data Centre is located on the hele road site, it contains it suites, seminar spaces and digital learning laboratories. the building teaches Information technology and other digital courses.[16]

Construction Centre

the Construction Centre (also commonly referred to as falcon house) is the college's hub for construction, which hosts bricklaying, retrofitting, joinery, plumbing, carpentry, and more. unlike most other Exeter college locations, it is not within walking distance of the city centre, and instead is located in Sowton industrial estate, but is still accessible by train and bus.[17]

Exwick Sports Pavilion

Exwick Sports Pavilion is a sport facility containing a 3G AstroTurf pitch, tennis facilities, six badminton courts, two classrooms, sports therapy room and a gym.[18]

Future skills centre

The future skills centre (Often abbreviated to FSC)is a building co owned by the college and Devon country council. it was previously owned by Flybe and used as a training academy, which is suiting as travel and tourism classes study there, learning about travel and how to be an effective hair hostess crew.[19] aeronautical engineering also studies there due to its proximity to the airport.[20] it also has a small aircraft which is maintained by the students, however does not fly. Second year t level Design Surveying And planning students also attend this campus, due to Falcon house being at student compacity.[21] the building also hosts meetings and sessions, as well as police training.[22] the only public transport link to the college is the 4A bus,[23] of which it shares a bus stop with the hotel Hampton by Hilton, which currently has shut doors to help settle asylum seekers[24][25]

Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre

Haven banks is a site of Exeter college which runs sailing canoeing, kayaking, archery, first aid and team building activities.[26]

Maths and Science Centre

The Maths and Science Centre contains 11 science laboratories, forensic suite, a large computing lab and many specialist classrooms. this building hosts maths, science, psychology and criminology courses.[27]

Sports hall, Gym And Dance studio

The spots hall, gym and dance studio is a large building with space for dance, exercise and other sport activities.[28]

Technology Centre

The technology centre hosts aerospace, engineering and automotive students. it has a cad suite with over 24 computers, CNC machines and other high tech equipment. it has the largest virtual welding facility in Europe and 5 3d printers.[29]

Victoria House

Victoria house teaches business, IT, sports and leisure and tourism courses. it suites can be found throughout the building.[30]

Future improvement

In January 2019, the college announced it would be spending £70 million on altering the Hele Road site, including demolishing the tower block and allowing the public to cross through the campus to Exeter St Davids railway station.[31][5]

Organisation

Academic profile

Student life

Many Of The college's buildings and campuses are located near the city centre, providing amenities to students after or in-between lessons. There are many clubs and societies, ranging from self defence to beach cleans and student-led clubs, such as the book club or the LGBTIA+ student group.[1] There is a gym available to students from 7am to 7pm each day on weekdays.[32]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ "Further Education and Skills inspection report: Exeter College". Ofsted. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". 8 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Exeter College - GOV.UK".
  4. ^ a b c d "Exeter Memories - Exeter College".
  5. ^ a b c "Exeter College tower block set to be demolished".
  6. ^ "Exeter College top in NICDEX league table". 17 November 2017.
  7. ^ "New specialist maths free school to be regional centre of excellence".
  8. ^ "Exeter College tower, Exeter | 1171609". Emporis. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  9. ^ Meller, Hugh (1989). Exeter Architecture. Chichester: Phillimore. ISBN 0-85033-693-7.
  10. ^ Trewman's Exeter Flying Post, January 1891
  11. ^ "University of Exeter".
  12. ^ "50th Anniversary". Exeter College. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Centre for Creative Industries". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Centre for Music and Performance". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Hele Road Site". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Digital and Data Centre". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Construction Centre". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Exwick Sports Pavilion". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Travel and Tourism". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Aeronautical Engineering". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning T Level". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  22. ^ "Future Skills Centre". Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  23. ^ "4A - Exeter St Davids - Heavitree - Exeter Airport". bustimes.org. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  24. ^ Merritt, Anita (19 July 2023). "Devon asylum children as young as four left to get bus alone". Devon Live. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  25. ^ Parsley, David (27 July 2023). "Asylum hotel accused of leaving families malnourished with children as young as four affected". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Maths and Science Centre". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Sports Hall, Gym & Dance Studio". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Technology Centre". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Victoria House". Exeter College. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  31. ^ "College masterplan revealed - and tower block will be demolished". 18 January 2019.
  32. ^ "Central Fitness". Exeter College. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  33. ^ "College Days: Matt Bellamy". TheGuardian.com. 18 February 2003.
  34. ^ "Rising star's Joseph dream comes true". 31 January 2008.
  35. ^ "The Devil's Interval | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  36. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  37. ^ "Ones to Watch: Luke Newberry". 30 May 2014.

External links

  • Exeter College website
  • Ofsted: Exeter College, Exeter
  • University of Plymouth: Partner Institutions Archived 8 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  • Exeter College Students' Union Archived 23 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine

50°43′42″N 3°32′19″W / 50.72833°N 3.53861°W / 50.72833; -3.53861

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