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Northampton College’s purpose is to provide high quality further education, training and associated services to Northamptonshire people and businesses. The College’s mission is to enhance the lives of our students and other customers, maximising their potential through learning.
The College was successful in securing approval from the Skills Funding Agency to transform the College's two sites in Northampton, at a cost of over £70 million.
The new buildings now provide a modern, fit for purpose learning environment for the local community that will help maximise participation and achievement and contribute to the necessary skills development in the town and Northamptonshire.
The College's largest site at Booth Lane has been expanding ad hoc since the 1970s as its popularity and demand for its services has grown. A new building of 27,000m is being built on the existing site providing a high quality, modern design fit to educate and skill the County's students in the 21st century. The re-building project is well underway with Phase 1 completed in 2011 and Phase 2 due for completion by the end of 2012.
The College also opened an additional new building in the Town Centre of Northampton at Lower Mounts. This facility complements the existing building on this site and represents a significant investment in Northampton. It is an iconic building which contributes to the ambition of the town to re-develop itself and build on its strengths in the 21st century.
Extending in this way has enabled the College to improve its offer, including state of the art facilities for hairdressing and beauty therapy, an extended library, enhanced information, advice and guidance services and a fine-dining restaurant (The Albero) which is open to the public. Teaching and learning at Lower Mounts has been expanded to include business, languages, health care and Access to Higher Education.
In addition, the College has a substantial site in Daventry from which it delivers a range of full time and part time provision. Working in conjunction with its partners in the Daventry Learning Partnership (DLP), Danetre and William Parker Schools, and Moulton College, it provides for the educational and training needs of post-16 students in Daventry.
The College works closely with other FE and HE providers in the County including Moulton College, The University of Northampton and Tresham Institute as part of an FE Federation. Partnerships have been established with the Rights & Equality Council, the Chamber and other bodies to provide targeted initiatives for local needs.
Northampton College’s locally-delivered provision, funded through the Skills Funding Agency and the Young People’s Learning Agency supports more than 4,000 full-time students, most of whom are aged 16-19, in programmes covering most curriculum areas. It has also extended its link provision with schools and Northamptonshire County Council. Around 600 students of compulsory school age have participated in College provision this year, and the development of the 14-16 curriculum will offer further opportunities for collaboration. The College delivers part or all of a number of Higher Education programmes validated by The University of Northampton.
The College Principal is Len Closs, who leads a senior team including two Deputy Principals and a Director of Finance responsible for managing the business areas of the College and developing, delivering and managing the curriculum and students. The curriculum is managed within the Directorate of Curriculum and Student Services, through seven Schools (Languages & Foundation Learning, The Arts, Health & Public Services, Business & The Humanities, Technology & Science, Engineering, and Commercial Enterprise).
Engagement with the needs of local employers is managed through the Business Centre, based at Booth Lane. The College contracts with the Skills Funding Agency to provide Apprenticeship training. It also provides workplace learning through the government-funded Train to Gain service for employers. In addition, the College seeks alternative funding from such sources as ESF and Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd (EMDA) to deliver a broader range of learning opportunities.
The College has been re-affirmed as meeting Investors in People standards four times since 1995 and has also achieved the Recruitment and Selection IiP award. It was one of the first colleges in the East Midlands to achieve the Investors in Diversity award. There is an active programme of staff and continued professional development, which includes the provision of the Certificate in Education validated by The University of Northampton. The College is committed to the support and development of a professionally qualified and experienced workforce.