Dr Rebecca Gater
Principal
Hello and welcome!
Stratford-upon-Avon College is a friendly, accessible, employer-responsive College that cares about the individual successes and outcomes of all of our students. Just a ten minute walk from the centre of the famous Stratford-upon-Avon, the College offers students the opportunity to study in a safe, inclusive environment.
Our facilities are top-class and we provide outstanding support for all of our students. I am proud of the College we have become, and hope you find just what you need on our website.
Following our merger with Solihull College & University Centre in 2018, we are now in a position to drive the College towards even greater heights – with investment in facilities planned and greater opportunities available for student progression.
Whether you’re finishing school, or an adult wanting to get back into education to progress in your career or learn something new, you will be very welcome at the College. Courses are offered from beginner right up to degree-level in many subjects.
Our workforce is open, professional, honest and dependable which is why Stratford-upon-Avon College is also not just a great place to study, but also a great place to work with many employee benefits.
We look forward to supporting you in achieving your goals.
Find out more about the College’s Strategic Plan:
Note: Stratford-upon-Avon College merged with Solihull College & University Centre in February 2018. Please visit Solihull College & University Centre’s Senior Leadership Team page.
College History
1877
Weekly classes were held in a room in Stratford Town Hall – a Private Morning Class for ladies; a Private Afternoon Class for gentlemen; and Evening Classes for teachers in public schools, artisans and others.
1881
The School of Art moved to a new Art Studio in Sheep Street.
1891
A number of special classes were started in various Stratford locations. These included butter and cheese-making (from 1891), cooking (from 1892) and wood carving, shorthand, dress cutting, laundry and cottage nursing.
Under the Technical Instruction Act 1889, rate support from the County Council was available, administered by Stratford Borough Council, to further subsidise the Art School.
1919
The School was used as a Day Continuation School which, under the 1918 Education Act, every child over 14 not in full-time education had to attend for 320 hours a year.
1928
Classes included English, typewriting and commercial correspondence, French evening classes for girls, book-keeping, cookery, dressmaking, art needlework, poster work, geometry, building and machine construction, arithmetic, workshop, woodwork, chemistry and physics, physical training and engineering.
1958
Stratford Technical and Art School was renamed South Warwickshire College of Further Education to recognise its very large catchment area including the Borough and the three rural districts of Stratford, Shipston and Alcester.
1968
The College moved to its present location at The Willows North and a new College opened – there were 115 full-time students.
1993
Upon Incorporation, the name of South Warwickshire College of Further Education was changed to Stratford-upon-Avon College.
2018
The College merges with Solihull College & University Centre.
Present
More than 1500 happy students and over 200 dedicated staff.
