Southampton City College
Encyclopedia
Southampton City College is a further education
college located in Southampton
, Hampshire
, England.
The college has around 1700 full time and 5000 part time students, and offers a wide choice of full-time vocational courses including art & design, beauty, hairdressing, media, catering, IT, performing arts, construction, engineering, business studies, care, travel & tourism, childcare, marine technology and technical theatre. Along with Access to HE and apprenticeships, the college also delivers an extensive part‐time programme that includes qualification courses, some leisure provision and tailored training for employers. Employer provision includes over 1,000 students on apprenticeships and ‘train-to-gain’ programmes.
Students at the college study at a wide range of levels: from 'Schools Groups' provision and pre-entry courses of study; to Level 1 provision (branded as ‘City Horizons’) which seeks to fast-track students to level 2, level 3 and employment; to degree and postgraduate study in a wide range of disciplines.
The college was inspected by Ofsted in March 2011 and was judged to be a 'good' college with 'outstanding' features.
(1866) is on the site of earlier almshouse
s which go back to the 17th century.
Southampton City College has its origins in wartime skill shortages and a recognition of the need to set up a technical school in Southampton. Operating from a number of locations; in 1948 the Education Authority took over the old St Mary Institution (or workhouse
) to provide a more permanent home for the Technical School and following substantial building works and consolidation of a number of local school sites, was opened as the Technical College in June 1952.
In 1960 work had begun on the construction of Southampton College of Technology and the Technical College was administered under this framework. In 1969, however, it became a separate entity and as such adopted the name Southampton Technical College. In June 1995 it changed its name again to Southampton City College to better reflect the forward-thinking range of courses on offer to people in and around the City.
In September 2010, with 85% of its buildings new or refurbished, City College opened two new blocks, forming the completion phase of the campus redevelopment project. 'The hub' includes a new theatre, TV and radio studios, a business training suite, a learning centre a theatre bar and fitness suite. The conjoined Aspire building houses new facilities for catering, hair and beauty, together with seminar rooms and learning centres.
These work-based training facilities are open to the public as the "Aspire" restaurant and "Kudos" Hair and Beauty Salons, and forms an integral part in the education provided in these service related industries.
The comprehensive new development 'the hub' includes:
These facilities can all be booked by business and community users and are frequently used to host local and regional conferences.
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 located in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, England.
The college has around 1700 full time and 5000 part time students, and offers a wide choice of full-time vocational courses including art & design, beauty, hairdressing, media, catering, IT, performing arts, construction, engineering, business studies, care, travel & tourism, childcare, marine technology and technical theatre. Along with Access to HE and apprenticeships, the college also delivers an extensive part‐time programme that includes qualification courses, some leisure provision and tailored training for employers. Employer provision includes over 1,000 students on apprenticeships and ‘train-to-gain’ programmes.
Students at the college study at a wide range of levels: from 'Schools Groups' provision and pre-entry courses of study; to Level 1 provision (branded as ‘City Horizons’) which seeks to fast-track students to level 2, level 3 and employment; to degree and postgraduate study in a wide range of disciplines.
The college was inspected by Ofsted in March 2011 and was judged to be a 'good' college with 'outstanding' features.
Campuses
- St Mary Street Campus (50.9034°N 1.3954°W), the main campus is located near Southampton City CentreSouthampton City CentreSouthampton City Centre is the commercial and organisational centre of the City of Southampton, and the transport hub of the city. Because Southampton is on the South Coast of England, the city centre is not at the geometric centre of the city, but at the southern extremity.The traditional heart...
. - Marine Technology Centre, Woolston (50.9004°N 1.3820°W)
- Skills Centre at Bitterne Park (50.9299°N 1.3694°W)
- City Horizons (50.902744°N 1.396665°W)
History (17th century-1995)
The Victorian frontage which dates back to the old St Mary workhouseWorkhouse
In England and Wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment...
(1866) is on the site of earlier almshouse
Almshouse
Almshouses are charitable housing provided to enable people to live in a particular community...
s which go back to the 17th century.
Southampton City College has its origins in wartime skill shortages and a recognition of the need to set up a technical school in Southampton. Operating from a number of locations; in 1948 the Education Authority took over the old St Mary Institution (or workhouse
Workhouse
In England and Wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment...
) to provide a more permanent home for the Technical School and following substantial building works and consolidation of a number of local school sites, was opened as the Technical College in June 1952.
In 1960 work had begun on the construction of Southampton College of Technology and the Technical College was administered under this framework. In 1969, however, it became a separate entity and as such adopted the name Southampton Technical College. In June 1995 it changed its name again to Southampton City College to better reflect the forward-thinking range of courses on offer to people in and around the City.
Redevelopment (2004-2011)
City College has nearly finished an extensive campus redevelopment programme. The first stage was completed in September 2004, which included the completion of a new reception and information & advice centre, new teaching block with learning centres for IT, Art & Design, Health & Social Care and Childcare. The second phase was completed in the summer of 2005 and involved the development of a new technology building which includes facilities for motor vehicle, brickwork and construction trades. In September 2009 an outdated block was transformed to provide industry standard learning facilities for 3D creative design, engineering, professional construction and electrical installation. This block also houses learning centres and a lecture theatre.In September 2010, with 85% of its buildings new or refurbished, City College opened two new blocks, forming the completion phase of the campus redevelopment project. 'The hub' includes a new theatre, TV and radio studios, a business training suite, a learning centre a theatre bar and fitness suite. The conjoined Aspire building houses new facilities for catering, hair and beauty, together with seminar rooms and learning centres.
These work-based training facilities are open to the public as the "Aspire" restaurant and "Kudos" Hair and Beauty Salons, and forms an integral part in the education provided in these service related industries.
'the hub'
The college's £34 million third phase development of the site provides a commercial and community resource. These new facilities known as 'the hub' can be used by learners of all ages, the local community and local businesses.The comprehensive new development 'the hub' includes:
- a 240 seat theatre
- Aspire - a commercial restaurant
- Kudos - a hair and beauty salon
- Media studios
- A TV studio that can be used to film in HD
- A central cafe, run by the College's hospitality students
- Numerous seminar rooms and break out areas
These facilities can all be booked by business and community users and are frequently used to host local and regional conferences.
eLearning
City College provides a number of electronic systems to support students in their learning.- A virtual learning environment (VLE) branded as Citybit based on MoodleMoodleMoodle is a free source e-learning software platform, also known as a Course Management System, Learning Management System, or Virtual Learning Environment...
software, is available from inside college or anywhere in the world. College courses contain a full range of resources, including interactive and collaborative tools to support students in their learning: with online submission of assignments, 'message my teacher' quizzes, forums, chatrooms etc. It is available 24/7; good if you miss a class or if you want to go over things again. - eTracker – a student progress tracking system. Students can keep up to date with progress on a course, see all course subject reviews and review action plans. Individual learning plans are visible at a glance; a great tool for keeping on target and pushing students to achieve their best. A portal for parents is also available.
- An ePortfolio branded as Mybit, based on Mahara software: a personal space (like Facebook) where students can store, develop and share files (words, images, pictures, videos and CVs) with fellow students, teachers, employers... even friends and family; great for submitting assignments without need for paper, or for sharing a portfolio of work with prospective employers or university admissions tutors.
- A streaming media service branded as Citytube; is available on site or from anywhere in the world, very much like “YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
”. Students can upload videos as well as view learning content produced or supplied by teachers. Everyone can give comments and provide recommendations making it a good way to watch content and give or receive feedback.