West Suffolk College

West Suffolk College
Address
Out Risbygate Bury St Edmunds , Suffolk , IP33 3RL England
Coordinates	52°14′56″N 0°41′59″E
Information
Type	Further Education, Higher Education & Apprenticeships
Established	1925
Local authority	Suffolk
Staff	786
Gender	Coeducational
Age	14+
Enrolment	12,866 (18/19)
Website	https://www.wsc.ac.uk

The Gateway at West Suffolk College, July 2015

West Suffolk College is a Further Education college in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The college delivers a range of courses, including vocational and technical courses, apprenticeships, and an array of higher-apprenticeships and bachelor's degree courses accredited by the University of East Anglia. Over 12,000 students are enrolled at West Suffolk College.

Campuses

The main campus site is the Gateway Building situated on Out Risbygate in Bury St Edmunds. The Built Environment Campus or Milburn Centre is situated on Anglian Lane and the STEM Innovation Campus and University Studies Centre is situated on Western Way. Both are a short walk from the sixth form campus.

The college also has training centres in Haverhill, Thetford, Sudbury and Ipswich, with courses also being taught in towns and villages across Suffolk including Clare, Pakenham, Thurston and Stowmarket.

Early years as the 'Evening Institute'

A memoir by N.F. Watterson, the first principal, chronicles the history of West Suffolk College of Further Education. It traces the college's humble beginnings as a small evening institute in Bury St Edmunds in 1925, expanding to encompass day classes and a technical institute during World War II and beyond.

The West Suffolk College of Further Education had its roots in an "Evening Institute" established in 1925 in Bury St Edmunds. The town was much smaller then, and Mr. J.H. Wakefield held the positions of Town Clerk, Borough Treasurer, and Education Officer simultaneously.

Mr. Wakefield, seeking to establish evening classes, sought the expertise of the author, N.F. Watterson, who had experience from the Industrial Midlands.

Watterson suggested several subjects, such as English, Shorthand, Book-keeping, and Arithmetic, and the classes commenced with Watterson as a technical advisor.

For the next ten years, classes were held in various schools.

In 1935, the Ministry of Education consolidated these classes under a single head, appointing Watterson as Principal of the Evening Institute, in addition to his full-time work at the County School.

Watterson served as Principal, including during World War II, while simultaneously serving as a Scientific Advisor to the County Air Raid Precautions (A.R.P.) Authority.

The Evening Institute represents the foundation upon which the later Technical Institute, and eventually the West Suffolk College of Further Education, was built.

The memoir details the challenges of securing space and resources, ultimately culminating in the construction of a new college building in 1960. Watterson highlights key individuals who contributed to the college's growth, and also reflects on the cultural and recreational aspects of the institution. It emphasises the college's evolution from modest beginnings to a thriving institution.

Bury St Edmunds Technical Institute

In 1951, the Bury St Edmunds Technical Institute began offering Engineering, Building and vocational evening classes in the grounds of the Silver Jubilee School. In 1958, it decided to construct a new purpose built college on its own ground, at the Gibraltar Barracks site, where the West Suffolk College is today. It was officially opened on 29 May 1961.

The Bury St Edmunds Technical Institute represents a pivotal stage in the evolution of what is now the West Suffolk College of Further Education. Established after World War II, the Technical Institute emerged from the "Evening Institute" that had been operating since 1925. The transition reflects the growing demand for skilled craftsmen and technicians in the post-war period, leading to the introduction of "Day Release Classes" to supplement the existing evening courses.

Challenges and Resourcefulness:

The Technical Institute faced significant challenges in its early years, most notably a lack of dedicated facilities. Classes were held in a variety of locations across Bury St Edmunds, highlighting the Institute's commitment to providing education despite limited resources. The locations included:

• Premises behind the Bury Free Press.
• The Roundel Club Buildings.
• Huts at Gibraltar Barracks.
• A shed behind the "Rising Sun" in Risbygate Street.

N.F. Watterson, the Principal, describes the difficulties of operating in these makeshift spaces, from lighting fires for warmth in the Roundel Club to navigating bureaucratic hurdles to acquire the huts at Gibraltar Barracks. Watterson's anecdotes about these experiences reveal the resourcefulness and determination of the staff to overcome logistical obstacles and provide a quality learning environment for their students.

Expansion and Recognition:

Despite these challenges, the Technical Institute thrived, expanding its course offerings and gaining recognition for its contributions to the community.

• Watterson emphasises the support received from individuals like Mr. Harvey Frost, F.I.O.B., whose advocacy for vocational training was instrumental in establishing classes for apprentices in the Building Industry.
• The Institute also benefited from the guidance of Alderman E.W. Steward, who provided crucial support during the early years of Further Education programs in the region.

The dedication of the staff, who contributed countless hours of voluntary overtime, was essential to the Institute's success. A 1955 inspection by the Ministry of Education acknowledged the positive relationships built with industry and commerce, the quality of teaching and administration, and the students' commitment to learning. The inspectors recommended expansion, further validating the impact of the Technical Institute.

Transition to a New Era:

The recommendations of the Ministry of Education, coupled with the growing demand for further education, prompted the planning and construction of a new, dedicated building for the Technical Institute. This marked a significant step towards the establishment of the West Suffolk College of Further Education as it exists today. Although Watterson retired before the new building's completion, he acknowledged the contributions of key figures like Mr. A.T. Candler, Mr. J.E. Norris, and Mrs. K.G. Pugsley, who played essential roles in the Institute's development and transition.

The Technical Institute's history demonstrates the power of community effort, the dedication of educators, and the importance of adapting to evolving needs. It serves as a reminder that even with limited resources, a strong commitment to education can pave the way for significant growth and lasting impact.

1970s to the modern day

In the 1970s and 1980s, the college expanded; from 1970 to 1977, the Engineering, Construction and Motor Vehicle training centres were built. In 1983, Australia House, a dedicated beauty, hair and hospitality school was opened. A year later, a purpose built facility for students with learning difficulties and disabilities was built. The expansion continued into the 1990s; with Gibraltar House opening in 1999.

In 2006, the college was awarded Grade 1: Outstanding by Ofsted and in 2011, Dr Ann Williams, the then Principal, was appointed an OBE for services to Further Education in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. She was replaced by Dr Nikos Savvas in 2013. In 2014, a new building, The Gateway, now the face of the college, was opened. The following year the college received confirmation of a £7m government grant to help pay for an £8m energy, engineering and manufacturing teaching centre. In September 2015, the college began Animal Care and Management courses at the Newmarket Academy. In 2016, the college was ranked in the top five per cent in the country for its achievement rates in Level 3 Vocational Diplomas, the best in the Eastern Region, and the second best GCSE English resit results in the country.

Former Chairs of Governors at the college have gone on to be awarded an MBE, including Elizabeth Milburn and Richard Carter. The current Chair of Governors at the college and Eastern Education Group Trust, Elton D'Souza is a National Leader of Governance.

The college offers a range of Apprenticeships and in 2016, it enrolled over 1,000 people onto its apprenticeships, with an achievement rate eight per cent higher than the national average at 78%.

Following an inspection under new grading criteria, the college was graded as 'Good' by Ofsted.

The college was named in July 2019 as a computing hub for the National Centre for Computing Education.

In 2020, the college became the first provider to have an Apprenticeship accredited by The Royal Society of Chemistry

In 2021, the college joined the National College for Nuclear (NCfN) as an Accredited Provider. It has also been acknowledged as the first college in the country to facilitate the teaching of black history all year round and has won prestigious industry accolades for outstanding and innovative careers leadership and practice.

Eastern Education Group Trust

The college is a sponsor of the Eastern Education Group Trust, a collaboration with One Sixth Form College in Ipswich and Abbeygate Sixth Form College in Bury St Edmunds. In 2016, the Trust was given permission by the Department for Education to build a new sixth form, Abbeygate, in Bury St Edmunds, which has been completed as of 2023, to cater for up to 1,700 pupils, offering more than 30 A-level courses to 16-19 year olds.

Eastern Education Group

Originally known as Eastern Colleges Group, Eastern Education Group was formed in 2023 to reflect the expansion of our educational offering which spans from primary education through to adulthood. West Suffolk College, Abbeygate Sixth Form College in Bury St Edmunds and One Sixth Form College in Ipswich are collectively known as the Eastern Education Group. The Group is a collective of Primary, specialist SEND schools, and post-16 education providers.

University Studies at West Suffolk College

University Studies at West Suffolk College was a founding member of the University of Suffolk, providing a range of apprenticeships and undergraduate degree courses. However, there was an end to the partnership between the two institutions planned from the academic year 2021–2022.

A wide range of Bachelor's degrees are now delivered in partnership with the University of East Anglia as well as a range of Higher National Qualifications.

Principal and CEO

Dr Nikos Savvas has a doctorate in High Energy Particle Physics from Manchester University and has held senior roles in the further education sector for a number of years. He is a board member for various organisations including the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership's All Energy Industry Council, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership's Skills Advisory Panel for Norfolk and Suffolk and the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Trust (SENDAT). He took up the role of Principal and CEO at West Suffolk College in September 2013.

Alumni

• Nick Pope - Footballer
• Toby Stuart - Hospitality Consultant to Albert Roux
• David Starie - Former Professional Boxer