North Devon College
Encyclopedia
North Devon College was a further education
college
in Barnstaple
, North Devon
. It is now part of Petroc.
Originally, the plan was to spend £300,000 on the new North Devon Technical College, built on top of Sticklepath Hill. But the college was developed in stages, starting with the engineering blocks (now B and C blocks).
In 1952, the college offered courses including carpentry, bricklaying, auto engineering, science and technical drawing.
Over the years, the college expanded and additional buildings were added. The campus reflects changes in architectural styles over the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The most recent new teaching building was J Block, completed in July 2002.
In 1969, NDC became one of the country’s first Tertiary Colleges, providing a Sixth Form for North Devon’s newly formed comprehensive schools.
As well as catering for the area’s teenagers, the college’s curriculum also encompassed adult learning, work based training and Higher Education, including graduation celebrations in the heart of Barnstaple.
As NDC expanded, the college outgrew its main campus and leased additional premises in and around Barnstaple, including The Hair Academy at Roundswell and Queens House in the town centre. Further growth came through the addition of Bude and Holsworthy Training Services (BHTS), adding offices in the North Cornwall town and a stake in the Holsworthy Skills Centre.
Between 2006 and 2009, the college developed exciting plans for a new, £125 million campus – a ‘cathedral of learning’ on the banks of the River Taw, at Seven Brethren in Barnstaple. The Learning and Skills Council committed £78 million to the project as part of the £2.3 billion Building Colleges for the Future programme. Unfortunately, the LSC’s over-enthusiastic commitment of funds meant the programme overspent. As a result, plans to move the college to a new home were shelved indefinitely..
Despite this setback, NDC continued to develop leading edge facilities, including breathing new life into the former Brannam Pottery buildings at Roundswell, Barnstaple.
NDC was frequently one of the top performing colleges in the country and was recognised as ‘outstanding’ by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) at its last inspection in 2006.
would merge. David Dodd, principal of North Devon College, was announced as principal of the new merged colleges.
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
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
in Barnstaple
Barnstaple
Barnstaple is a town and civil parish in the local government district of North Devon in the county of Devon, England, UK. It lies west southwest of Bristol, north of Plymouth and northwest of the county town of Exeter. The old spelling Barnstable is now obsolete.It is the main town of the...
, North Devon
North Devon
North Devon is the northern part of the English county of Devon. It is also the name of a local government district in Devon. Its council is based in Barnstaple. Other towns and villages in the North Devon District include Braunton, Fremington, Ilfracombe, Instow, South Molton, Lynton and Lynmouth...
. It is now part of Petroc.
History
North Devon College (NDC) first opened in 1952.Originally, the plan was to spend £300,000 on the new North Devon Technical College, built on top of Sticklepath Hill. But the college was developed in stages, starting with the engineering blocks (now B and C blocks).
In 1952, the college offered courses including carpentry, bricklaying, auto engineering, science and technical drawing.
Over the years, the college expanded and additional buildings were added. The campus reflects changes in architectural styles over the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The most recent new teaching building was J Block, completed in July 2002.
In 1969, NDC became one of the country’s first Tertiary Colleges, providing a Sixth Form for North Devon’s newly formed comprehensive schools.
As well as catering for the area’s teenagers, the college’s curriculum also encompassed adult learning, work based training and Higher Education, including graduation celebrations in the heart of Barnstaple.
As NDC expanded, the college outgrew its main campus and leased additional premises in and around Barnstaple, including The Hair Academy at Roundswell and Queens House in the town centre. Further growth came through the addition of Bude and Holsworthy Training Services (BHTS), adding offices in the North Cornwall town and a stake in the Holsworthy Skills Centre.
Between 2006 and 2009, the college developed exciting plans for a new, £125 million campus – a ‘cathedral of learning’ on the banks of the River Taw, at Seven Brethren in Barnstaple. The Learning and Skills Council committed £78 million to the project as part of the £2.3 billion Building Colleges for the Future programme. Unfortunately, the LSC’s over-enthusiastic commitment of funds meant the programme overspent. As a result, plans to move the college to a new home were shelved indefinitely..
Despite this setback, NDC continued to develop leading edge facilities, including breathing new life into the former Brannam Pottery buildings at Roundswell, Barnstaple.
NDC was frequently one of the top performing colleges in the country and was recognised as ‘outstanding’ by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) at its last inspection in 2006.
Merger with East Devon College
It was announced that as of August 1, 2008. North Devon College and East Devon CollegeEast Devon College
East Devon College was a further education college situated in Tiverton, Devon, England. The college operated on four sites; the main campus being located in Tiverton, with three additional sites being located in Honiton, Exmouth and Tiverton. In 2005 the college enrolled 3,144 learners, of which...
would merge. David Dodd, principal of North Devon College, was announced as principal of the new merged colleges.