NSCG - Stafford College

Leaving this review will likely harm my relationship with the college, which has (nearly) always been good up til this point.

Most of the arts faculty is gone.

Last time I visited, there were about 40 students in one room (that was stinking of junk food) with 2 stressed looking tutors.

Of all the many rooms in the Broadeye building, only 3 were in use - 2 of these contained students without a tutor. They told me they were teaching themselves this year.
They could not tell me what they had learned or were expecting to learn.

There are no longer enough staff members to keep students' attention.
The ones that remain are good teachers (they all were), but recently I walked through the building without problem, despite not having signed in nor wearing my visitor's badge.
I took the key that was in shop safe and delivered it to the reception, telling them my reservations and explaining the reasons why I had changed my mind about attending this year.

This is a shame, as previously I have had very good experiences at the college.
However, the tutors with whom I wanted to study are no longer working there after the debacle with the last principle. Some of the arts building has been rented out to the Chamber of Commerce to use as offices.

For a community college, there are very few ties with the local community.
The beauty academy is a franchise of Francesco's, instead of making use of the dozens of beauty salons and hairdressers that already exist in the town.

It is like the college has become less a place to learn, and more a place to scrape a qualification via a (failing) business that masquerades as an educational establishment.

The gallery lasted a few months, even thought it was dead before it began due to lack of involvement with local community.

There is no longer an art shop there, so I have no idea how the students are to obtain materials for their work.

I give it a good rating based upon my experiences as a keen student years ago, but knock off a star because I am unhappy with the direction the college has taken the past year (2015).

Hopefully, something will happen to change this, now that the principle is on administrative/sick leave, after the staff rebelled against her.

As for the courses or conditions outside of the arts faculty, I cannot say. But the tutors in the science departments are very forthcoming with their knowledge and always eager to provide assistance if they can.

The adult education classes are often full and deliver a high standard. I have studied Russian there, and have seen many of the adult art classes at max capacity, full of attentive students.

For the cost of education in this country, I would not consider it good value for money - it is better to learn on the job, or there are many online courses available.
The major boon of the college is access to facilities, however - private places are appearing in Stafford that allow you access to these same facilities and cheaper education and training than is offered here.

I studied a BTEC L3 here. Staff were fantastic. Very keen to help you achieve and progress in your studies. Not a bad word to say.

pretty good catering, i really liked the ham sandwiches that mister Harry "big h" "thick six" "meenee gaeemz" Johnon made! Mclovin' it!

This college if you can even call it that is a disgrace to stafford and a stain in the west midlands. This place does not care at all about students and if you even try and get you qualifications from another college they will refuse to recognize even if those same qualifications are recognized at universities. I would hang my head in shame if I ran this place

Shockingly bad!!!!! No communication from them about my child struggling. I found out during the summer holidays!, from the careers advicer!, that my special needs child had failed the first year. He would have just turned up in September to carry on if it wasn't for a casual chat.

Looks a nice and friendly college

Incredible college, went here 2013 for the Music Technology department, had the best lecturers ever, Claire and Owen. Will never forget them! Thank you for an amazing learning experience!

Fantastic open event!! Everyone was super helpful!! Especially the cafe lady who showed us the lunch area, and told us the menu 😁