Spelthorne College
| Established | 1911 |
|---|---|
| Closed | 2007 |
| Type | FE college |
| Location |
Church Road Ashford Surrey (Middlesex) TW15 2XD England  Coordinates: 51°26′06″N 0°27′47″W / 51.435°N 0.463°W |
| Local authority | Surrey |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ages | 16+ |
| Former name | Ashford County Grammar School |
Spelthorne College was a sixth form college in Ashford, Surrey, England, positioned on the High Street.
Former school
It was originally founded as Ashford County Grammar School, for 11–18 year olds, in 1911 in what was then the county of Middlesex.
Sixth form college
In the 1970s, with Middlesex ceasing to exist as a county, it was redesignated by Surrey County Council as an Ashford Sixth Form College.
When Ashford County Grammar closed as the last 1975 11 plus intake did their O'levels, it became Spelthorne College, named after the local Borough Council within Surrey.
Merger
Following a merger with the sixth form college in Sunbury, it became Spelthorne College, Spelthorne being the name of the borough council.
Along with all colleges in the post 16 sector in England and Wales, Spelthorne was removed from the control of the County Council in 1992 when the funding passed to a central government quango - the Further Education Funding Council for England, later replaced by the Learning and Skills Council. The college performed well in external reviews, notably gaining 23/24 points in the Quality Assurance Agency's (QAA) review of its higher education provision in business studies.
Brooklands College
As part of a strategic area review conducted by the Learning Skills Council in 2004, it was recognised that in order to expand the college and modernise its premises, it should be merged with a larger institution. On 1 August 2007, the merger was completed and the college now operates as the Ashford Campus of Brooklands College, the other campus being the Brooklands College's Weybridge site.
A college archive is being maintained and some historic items are now lodged with the Spelthorne Museum.
Current use
Currently the college is home to the London Heathrow Acers basketball team. Formed from the Spelthorne Acers, the team have performed with some success in the national women's league.
Alumni
Ashford County Grammar School, Sunbury and Ashford Colleges and Spelthorne College
- Susannah Clapp, Theatre Critic since 1997 of The Observer
- Gary Numan, musician
- Arthur Palmer, Labour MP from 1945–50 for Wimbledon, from 1952-9 for Cleveland, from 1964–74 for Bristol Central, and from 1974-83 for Bristol North East
- Irene Thomas
- Norman Willis, General Secretary from 1984–93 of the TUC
- Robert Evans (politician), Labour MEP for London 1994–2009
- Don Bennett (cricketer), Bennett played cricket for Middlesex from 1950 until 1968
- S E J Russell, Sid Russell played cricket for Middlesex and Gloucestershire from 1960–1968
- Richard Johnson played for Middlesex and England from 1992 and retired 2007
- Brian Capron, actor in Coronation Street from the Sunbury Sixth Form College
- Wendy Smith-Sly, athlete who competed mainly in the 3,000 metres. Silver medallist at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles; 1983 World Champion in the World 10 km road race championship
- Lauren O'Hara writer and columnist ( Cyprus Mail ) – name at school Lauren Barker
- Nicholas Bond-Owen, child actor of the 1970s and 80s best known for playing Tristram Fourmile in five series of the popular comedy George and Mildred
References
External links
- Spelthorne Museum
- Brooklands College Ashford Campus
- Capital Bid Minutes
- LSC Capital Funding Cash Freeze
- Dissolution Order
- QAA Review of Business Studies
- FE Focus on 18 September, 2009
- FE Focus on 13 November, 2009
- FE Focus on 4 December, 2009
- FE Focus on 29 January, 2010
- London Heathrow Acers
- 2009 College Inspection Report
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