ounded in 1909 by George Cadbury Jr, grandson of Cadbury’s co-founder John, Fircroft College of Adult Education is based in his former family home, a beautiful Edwardian building set in six acres of gardens.
It was originally created to provide educational opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged and excluded members of society.
One hundred years on from the birth of the College, its mission of ‘social justice’ is more relevant than ever. The College runs a number of short courses throughout the year, many of which are aimed at students with no or few prior formal qualifications, helping them to improve their skills and confidence, achieve personal and career goals and to reach their true potential. There is also a full time Access to Higher Education programme for students who wish to go on to University.
Fircroft has a wealth of expertise in working closely with voluntary sector organisations to fulfil their purpose and mission. The College runs a number of courses and programmes tailored toward this sector, and is also able to design and deliver customised training.
The College is committed to providing a quality learning experience to all of its students. Fircroft received straight grade one (‘outstanding’) marks in its last Ofsted Report at the end of 2007 – something achieved by only a handful of colleges in the UK. In 2008 Fircroft College was awarded Beacon Status in recognition of its status as an outstanding learning provider.