College History
Late 1800s
Adult education, funded by public money, began in Stratford-upon-Avon with the establishment of a School of Art in the summer of 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.
In 1881 the School of Art moved to a new Art Studio in Sheep Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. In 1891, under the Technical Instruction Act 1889, rate support from the County Council was available, administered by Stratford Borough Council, to subsidise still further the Art School.
A number of special classes were started, in various Stratford locations, on butter and cheese-making (from 1891), cooking (from 1892), and wood carving, shorthand, dress cutting, laundry, and cottage nursing (from 1893).
The School of Art’s name was changed to Stratford-upon-Avon School of Science and Art.
Early 1900s
Between 1919 and 1922, 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.
The scheme was very unpopular with local employers who had to allow time off for their juvenile workers and some lively public meetings took place in the town.
Classes for 1928 included book-keeping, English, English literature, dressmaking, shorthand/commercial correspondence and typewriting, poster work, art needlework, cookery, French, evening classes for girls, building and machine construction, geometry, workshop arithmetic, woodwork, chemistry and physics, physical training, and engineering.
Mid 1900s onwards
In 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.
In 1968 the College moved to its present location at The Willows North. In September 1968, when the new College opened, there were 115 full-time students; in September 1976: 593; and the projected figure for 1977 was 630+.
In addition there were block-release and day-release classes for industry and a wide range of other part-time day and evening classes, giving a total student population of about 2,500.
In 1993, upon Incorporation, the name of South Warwickshire College of Further Education was changed to Stratford-upon-Avon College.
Present Day
In 2010, there are 1600 full-time students and 3000 part-time students, supported by 500 dedicated full and part-time staff.