West Kent College (2014)

West Kent College is a further education and higher education college in Kent, England founded in 2014. Its campus in Tonbridge offers numerous courses and qualifications at many levels, from GCSEs and A-levels to vocational routes such as BTEC or NVQ/VRQ Diplomas to work-based Apprenticeships and Degree programmes, validated by the University of Kent, University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church University.

West Kent College (West Kent & Ashford College)
Location
Tonbridge
,
Kent

England
Coordinates51°11′12″N 0°15′47″E
Information
TypeFurther Education, Higher Education
Established1 August 2014
Local authorityKent County Council
Department for Education URN130727 Tables
PrincipalJim Mawby
GenderMixed
Age16 to 99
Number of students2,600
Websitewestkent.ac.uk
The Tonbridge campus was redeveloped in the 2000s.
West Kent College, front entrance, spring 2016
West Kent College, outdoor area

The College's facilities include a 300-seat theatre, fine art, fashion, graphic design and photography studios and darkrooms, television and radio studios, music recording studios, professional training and demo kitchens and purpose-built motor vehicle engineering and construction workshops.

History

The original West Kent College institution operated in Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough and Sevenoaks.[1] The Tonbridge campus was redeveloped in the 2000s. Crowborough and Sevenoaks closed in 2006.

It merged into K College in 2010. K College operated across 6 campuses, at Jemmett Road and Henwood in Ashford, Dover, Folkestone, Tonbridge and Royal Tunbridge Wells.[2]

It was subsequently split in 2014, after sustaining a large amount of debt. It was split into two units from 1 August that year:

On 17 May 2019, Hadlow College become the first in the country to go into educational administration.[5] That same year, following a review by the Further Education Commissioner, it was recommended that the Hadlow College Group be split up and taken on by three colleges: North Kent College, East Kent College Group and Capel Manor College.

On the 15th August 2020, the education-related facilities of West Kent College and Hadlow College, including Princess Christian’s Farm and Hadlow College's equestrian centre in Greenwich, transferred to North Kent College.

Courses

The college offers a range of Foundation, Extended and BTEC Diplomas, A Levels, Higher Education programmes and NVQs, in subjects such as:

  • Electronic Engineering
  • Catering and Hospitality
  • Construction: Bricklaying, Electrical Installation, Carpentry and Joinery, Plumbing
  • Performing Arts, Music, Media and Photography
  • Art and Design, Graphic Design, Fashion and Clothing
  • Motor Vehicle Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Beauty Therapy, Hair Design
  • Early Years and Health and Social Care
  • Business and Admin
  • Applied Science (including Forensic Science Pathway)
  • Sport
  • Travel and Tourism
  • ESOL

Also offered are Apprenticeships, A-Levels and Access to Higher Education courses.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "College proposes £22m development". News.bbc.co.uk. 11 March 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  2. "K College Press Information". Kcollege.ac.uk.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "K College to split after review". Bbc.co.uk. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  5. "College first in country to go into administration". Kent Online. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  6. "Ron Thornton, Emmy-Winning Visual Effects Guru on 'Babylon 5,' Dies at 59". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  7. "Emily Walder profile - Mandy.com". www.mandy.com. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
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