The Sheffield College

The college is the sole provider of post-16 education in the north of Sheffield, following the abolition of traditional sixth-forms in 1988{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/blunkett-welcomes-163-27m-college-scheme-1-2532208|title=Blunkett welcomes £27m college scheme|work=The Yorkshire Post|access-date=4 November 2017}} by the tertiary system. The current college was founded in 1992, following the merger of six different tertiary colleges, namely: Castle, Loxley, Norton, Parkwood, Parson Cross and Stradbroke. In May 1995, the college was described as being the biggest in Britain{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/how-did-so-many-end-up-in-hot-water-1620013.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/how-did-so-many-end-up-in-hot-water-1620013.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=How did so many end up in hot water?|date=18 May 1995|work=The Independent|access-date=4 November 2017}} and had over 33,000 students enrolled at the time, of which almost 7,000 were full-time students.{{cite report|url=https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/3309/1/sheffield_cyc1.pdf|title=The Sheffield College|publisher=Further Education Funding Council for England|date=July 1996}} In 2003, the college launched a new 'federal structure', a reorganisation that 'sought to create a greater voice for students and a better organisational structure for its workforce'.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/the-sheffield-college-459053.html|title=The Sheffield College|date=13 August 2013|work=The Independent|access-date=4 November 2017}} In 2014, the now-closed Norton campus served as a filming location for the television series This Is England '90.{{cite web|title=Where Was 'This is England '90' Filmed?|url=https://www.creativeengland.co.uk/where-was-this-is-england-90-filmed/|date=18 September 2015|website=Creative England|access-date=5 May 2020}}

The college offers a variety of courses at the following levels:{{cite web|url=https://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/levels-of-study|title=Search by Level of Study |publisher= The Sheffield College}}

• School Leavers - Entry to Level 3 (NVQ Level 1–3; GCSEs to A-Levels)
• Access to University - Level 3 (NVQ Level 3; A-Levels)
• Career Progression/Adult - Level 3 to Level 7 (NVQ Level 3–7; A levels to postgraduate level)
• University Level - Level 4 to 7 (NVQ Level 4–7; A levels to postgraduate level)

The college offers courses in the following subjects: Animal care, Automotive engineering, aviation, tourism & events, business, catering & hospitality, childcare & education, civil engineering, construction & building trades, design & visual arts, engineering, ESOL, games design, hair & beauty, health & social care, inclusion, IT & computing, land-based studies, medial, journalism & photography, performing arts & music, science, dental & pharmacy, sport, taxi driving and uniformed public services.{{cite web|url=https://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/subject-areas|title=Subject Areas |publisher= The Sheffield College}}

In September 2012, more than 200 taxi drivers completed the first course of its kind designed to train prospective drivers in customer service skills.{{cite web|url=http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/200-sheffield-cabbies-complete-new-college-course-in-customer-service-1-4939762|title=200 Sheffield cabbies complete new college course in customer service|access-date=4 November 2017}} In October 2012, the college launched an online Human Trafficking Uncovered course, the first of its kind designed for those working in the public, private and voluntary sectors.{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/education/new-college-course-targets-human-trafficking-1-5007121|title=New college course targets human trafficking|work=The Yorkshire Post|access-date=4 November 2017}} In December 2014, singer JB Gill was recruited by the college as the public face of a two-year vocational performing arts course. The course was part of a portfolio of courses to help address a skills shortage in the creative industries.{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/education/ex-jls-pop-star-fronts-new-sheffield-course-1-7012795|title=Ex-JLS pop star fronts new Sheffield course|work=The Yorkshire Post|access-date=4 November 2017}}

In September 2012, the closure of a press photographers' course raised concerns about the future of regional newspaper staff photography. The course had been running uninterrupted at Norton College since 1979.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/sep/03/news-photography-newspapers|title=College's press photography course prompts fears for the future|last=Greenslade|first=Roy|date=3 September 2014|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 November 2017|issn=0261-3077}}

The college has main campuses at City, Hillsborough, Olive Grove and Peaks.{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/education/yorkshire-s-a-level-results-in-full-record-numbers-get-university-places-1-8075259|title=Yorkshire's A-level results in full: Record numbers get university places|work=The Yorkshire Post|date=18 August 2016 |access-date=4 November 2017}}

File:City College, rebuilt (geograph 2890552).jpg

In 2010,{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/the-sheffield-college-459053.html|title=The Sheffield College | newspaper=The Independent|date=13 August 2013 |access-date=14 April 2015}} Sheffield City College underwent a £60 million rebuild programme to create an environmentally-friendly, single-site campus.{{cite web |url=http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/index.cfm?pid=0bbd8547-dcab-4f4c-b952-f2694c67926d |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716200638/http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/index.cfm?pid=0bbd8547-dcab-4f4c-b952-f2694c67926d |archive-date=16 July 2011 }} The site provides vocational subjects including areas such as hair and beauty, catering, business and construction. The building features three roof mounted 15 metre tall wind turbines. Energy from the turbines is fed back into a distribution system for the college's tower block. The college also has solar panels and rainwater recycling facilities.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sheffield/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8931000/8931884.stm|title=Sheffield Solar Farm opens|date=20 August 2010|access-date=4 November 2017}}

In August 2017, the campus was temporarily evacuated and closed due to a faulty fire alarm system.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/the-sheffield-college-campus-closed-over-faulty-fire-alarm-system-1-8696925|title=The Sheffield College campus closed over faulty fire alarm system|work=The Star|access-date=10 August 2017}}

File:Hillsborough College.jpg

In June 2001, the college announced plans to replace two of its centres, based at Parson Cross and in Loxley, with a single campus in Hillsborough that would serve 1,800 students across the north of Sheffield. The plans received criticism from some, suggesting that there was 'inequality in education in the city'.{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/163-10m-shake-up-for-sixth-forms-attacked-1-2417692|title=£10m shake-up for sixth-forms attacked|work=The Yorkshire Post|access-date=4 November 2017}} In November 2003, construction began on the £27 million campus, with the building completed in 2005. The site includes sports facilities, 14 art and design studios and 12 ICT workshops.

It was proposed that the former Loxley site be replaced with up to 74 homes, but the proposals had encountered difficulty after the college had been unable to convince the local authority that the homes were appropriate for the area.{{cite web|url=http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/college-in-new-bid-for-green-belt-housing-1-3264381|title=College in new bid for green belt housing|access-date=4 November 2017}} In August 2007, plans for 79 houses and 29 apartments were judged to 'fall short' in terms of design, layout and appearance.{{cite news|url=http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/loxley-housing-plan-blocked-1-442056|title=Loxley housing plan blocked|access-date=4 November 2017}}

Following the closure of the Norton campus, all courses were relocated to the Hillsborough campus in September 2015. The campus was one of the oldest Sheffield College site, with parts dating back to the 1950s. The courses were relocated to a new £8.8 million centre and the former site was proposed to be redeveloped into a supermarket.{{cite web|url=http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/new-discount-supermarket-for-sheffield-suburb-as-part-of-25-million-retail-plan-which-will-create-500-jobs-1-7616156|title=New discount supermarket for Sheffield suburb as part of £25 million retail plan which will create 500 jobs|access-date=4 November 2017}}

The Sheffield College sponsors UTC Sheffield Academy Trust which operates three university technical colleges (two in Sheffield and one in Derby). The college is a member and sponsor of the trust and provides it with business support services.{{cite web|url=https://mcusercontent.com/6b3f0a12fa29ac48d284069eb/files/01aa1ed5-82be-7a37-3b8e-10425ddd806c/2918_Financial_Report_20_21_v10.pdf|title=Report of the Members of the Corporation and Financial Statements|publisher=The Sheffield College|date=2021}}

The first, opened in September 2013, specialises in technical studies{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-23483703|title=Call for sports college backing|date=28 July 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}} and offers 250 pupils training in the engineering and digital sectors.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-24018246|title=Technical college opens to students|date=9 September 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}} The scheme had been approved in August 2012{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19256143|title=Green light for technical college|date=14 August 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}} and construction began in September 2012. The project was said to have cost £8.5 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19518100|title=Work starts on technical college|date=7 September 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}} The college building was nominated for the Royal Institute of British Architects' (RIBA) regional award in April 2015, after the building had been remodelled and refurbished with an aim to retain features of the original structure, which was built in 1902.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-32386028|title=Yorkshire buildings up for top award|date=21 April 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}}

A second, produced in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, saw the unveiling of a £10 million college in September 2016, based on the site of the former Don Valley Stadium. The UTC specialises in sports science, healthcare and well-being{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-37336523|title=College opens on sports stadium site|date=12 September 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}} and had been approved by Sheffield City Council in September 2015. The college employs 56 people and serves 600 pupils aged between 14 and 19.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-34162711|title=Plans for UTC college approved|date=5 September 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}} The plan had initially been rejected by the British Government in January 2014{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-25929543|title=Bid for sports college rejected|date=2014|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}} but was eventually approved in August 2014 after the bid was resubmitted.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28671269|title=£10m college for Don Valley site|date=6 August 2014|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2017}}

The UTC site ib Derby opened in 2015 as Derby Manufacturing UTC. It was launched as partnership between Derby College, University of Derby, Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Toyota. After poor results in its 2017 and subsequent OFSTED inspections it transferred to the Sheffield UTC Academy Trust and focused in engineering, later added a specialism in life sciences in 2020.

The Sheffield college owns and operates three wholly owned subsidiaries which provide specific services for the college.

• Sparks Managed Services Ltd. which provides nursery, cleaning, catering and facilities support to the college and Sheffield UTC Academy Trust.
• Sparks Teaching Services Ltd. which provides temporary teachers and other staff.
• Sparks Solutions Ltd. provides marketing, and business development services to the college.

In August 2009, the college reported a pass rate of 96.9 per cent, with those achieving A to B grades at 34.4 per cent.{{cite web|url=http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/education-chiefs-predict-record-a-level-pass-rates-1-455785|title=Education chiefs predict record A-level pass rates|date=3 August 2016 |access-date=4 November 2017}} In August 2016, the college reported a 93 per cent A-Level pass rate, with 23 per cent of grades at A* to B. This was down from the scores of 2015, which were 94 and 23 per cent respectively.

In February 2016, Ofsted marked the college as 'requiring improvement', following an inspection. Inspectors had found failings in leadership, teaching, attainment, personal development and both 16 to 19 and adult education programmes.{{cite news|url=http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/education/ofsted-inspectors-tell-the-sheffield-college-it-must-improve-1-7751078|title=Ofsted inspectors tell The Sheffield College it must improve|access-date=4 November 2017}}

In August 2017, the National Student Survey (NSS) awarded the college with an 86 per cent satisfaction rate, a score higher than the national average of 84 per cent.{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/education/yorkshire-s-students-score-highly-in-search-for-satisfaction-1-8693506|title=Yorkshire's students score highly in search for satisfaction|work=The Yorkshire Post|date=9 August 2017 |access-date=4 November 2017}}

The Sheffield College Students' Union (SCSU) reportedly represents around 25,000 students at the college every year. Every student automatically becomes a member of the union upon enrollment.{{cite news|url=https://www.nus.org.uk/en/students-unions/sheffield-college-students-union/|title=Sheffield College Students' Union|accessdate=4 November 2017}}

• Richard Caborn{{cite news|last1=Beard|first1=Matthew|title=Richard Caborn: From Sheffield to London's Olympic bid|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/richard-caborn-from-sheffield-to-londons-olympic-bid-77636.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/richard-caborn-from-sheffield-to-londons-olympic-bid-77636.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=19 February 2017|newspaper=The Independent|date=2004}}
• David Blunkett{{cite news|last1=Roth|first1=Andrew|title=David Blunkett: Ask Aristotle about David Blunkett|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/mar/25/davidblunkett|access-date=14 October 2019|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2001}}
• George W. Buckley{{cite news|last1=Pagano|first1=Margareta|title=George Buckley: From Yorkshire slum to American Dream|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/george-buckley-from-yorkshire-slum-to-american-dream-8860127.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/george-buckley-from-yorkshire-slum-to-american-dream-8860127.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=19 February 2017|newspaper=The Independent|date=2014}}
• Jeremy Clarkson{{cite news|last1=Katie|first1=Shimmon|title=College Days - Jeremy Clarkson|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2006/jun/20/furthereducation.uk|access-date=19 February 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|date=20 June 2006}}
• Kat Fletcher{{cite web|title=Kat Fletcher|url=https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/25-news/-sp-710/6800-kat-fletcher-re-elected-as-nus-president|website=FE News|publisher=FE News|access-date=6 August 2019}}
• Richard McCourt{{cite web|title=Sheffield College - Richard McCourt|url=https://www.aoc.co.uk/gold/halloffame/2008-richard-mccourt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806173852/https://www.aoc.co.uk/gold/halloffame/2008-richard-mccourt|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 August 2019|website=Association of Colleges website|publisher=AoC|access-date=6 August 2019}}
• Stephen Slater{{cite news|title=The Sheffield man behind the Apollo 11 moon landing film which is wowing critics|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/the-sheffield-man-behind-the-apollo-11-moon-landing-film-which-is-wowing-critics-91899|website=Sheffield Star|publisher=Sheffield Star|access-date=6 August 2019}}
• John Sweeney (journalist){{cite news|title=John Sweeney, interviewed by James O'Brien, divulges his life story in the world of broadcast|url=https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3MuaG9zdGluZy50aGlzaXNkYXguY29tLzk1MTU4Y2ZiLWY3NGYtNGY5Yy04ZjQ3LTAwYmQ5NzZhYjAxZA&episode=OTBmNjQwYzctMTE1ZS00MWM3LTlhMmMtNzFjMjJmYjhhN2Y5|website=Full Disclosure with James O'Brien|publisher=James O'Brien|access-date=19 December 2019}}

• The Online College

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk The Sheffield College]
• [http://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/Student-Experience/Students-Union The Sheffield College Students' Union]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110610111106/http://www.online.sheffcol.ac.uk/ Online learning in the Sheffield College]
• [http://extra.shu.ac.uk/higherfutures/# Higher Futures Lifelong Learning Network]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100830073550/http://www.molenet.org.uk/ MoLeNET]

{{Universities and colleges in Yorkshire and the Humber}}

{{Schools in Sheffield}}

{{Stagecoach Sheffield Supertram}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheffield College}}

Category:Education in Sheffield

Category:Further education colleges in South Yorkshire

Category:Further education colleges in the Collab Group

Category:Educational institutions established in 1993

Category:Buildings and structures in Sheffield

Category:1993 establishments in England