The Oldham College

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The Oldham College

Established	1839
Type	Government funded further education
Religious affiliation	Secular
Principal	Kath Thomas
Location	Rochdale Road Oldham Greater Manchester England
Students	14,000 (approx.)
Gender	Co-educational
Ages	16 to ∞
Website	www.oldham.ac.uk

The Oldham College, is a government funded further education college in the town centre of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England.

Founded in 1839 the purpose built College aims to offer students skills that are directly transferable to the workplace and caters particularly for 16 - 19 year olds. However, there is no upper age limit for studentship at the college, and it is an adult learning environment.

The college has more than 14,000 students in full time, part time and evening education. The main FE courses are divided into eleven schools: Business, Social Care, Construction, Engineering, Essential Skills, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality, Sport & Travel, ICT, Performing Arts, Professional Development and Visual Arts.

The year 2000 saw the college's push into higher education, with the opening of the Oldham Business Management School, a sister organisation, which offers HNCs/HNDs, degrees, postgraduate qualifications and professional programmes.

There are a wide range of qualifications provided by the college which one can pursue. These include, Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education, Higher National Diploma,and General National Vocational Qualification certificates in various subjects.

The current principal is Kath Thomas. The Oldham College is a multicultural and non-denominational college, committed to equality.

The Oldham College has recently been inspected by OFSTED and been awarded 'Outstanding'. This means the college is one of the best in the country.

[edit] Notable alumni

Oldham born actress Sarah Lancashire (formerly of Coronation Street)
British actress Jane Horrocks, (from Little Voice and Absolutely Fabulous)
Paul Walsh, CEO Diageo plc.
Suzanne Shaw, former member of the pop group Hear'Say.
Rochdale born actress Anna Friel.
Dale Longworth and Kevin O'Toole, who founded the dance music group N-Trance, and singer Kelly Llorenna, who has worked with the group and performed solo.
Salford born television presenter Danielle Nicholls.