Somerset College of Arts and Technology

Somerset College of Arts and Technology is a community college based in Taunton, in the county of Somerset, England. It was formed in 1974 after the merger of Somerset College of Art and Taunton Technical College. The college provides further and higher education courses, as well as a variety of part-time courses for adult learners. Qualifications offered include NVQ, National Diploma, GCSE and Foundation Degree.

History

The history of art, craft and design education in Taunton goes back to 1856 and the foundation of the art school in the wake of the 1851 Great Exhibition. This went on to become the Somerset College of Art. In 1898 a foundation stone of the Technical Institute was laid and in February 1900 the Institute was formally opened.

In 1956 work began on the present fifteen acre site at Wellington Road, Taunton and by 1967 all departments were in situ. The College of Art relocated to an award winning building on the campus in the early 1970s and still forms part of the current campus today.

In 2005 the circular, three story Atrium was opened, the latest phase of a £15 million redevelopment scheme. As well as incorporating a main reception and shopping mall area, information and guidance points, classrooms, and student common rooms, the Atrium houses the majority of the college’s Service Industries division.

Other developments in recent years have included a conference centre, nursury and a new Health and Social Care centre also completed in 2005.

Divisions

Somerset College of Arts and Technology is organised into the following divisions:
* Arts and Design
* Construction
* Service Industries
* Social and Professional Studies
* Student Entitlement
* Technology

Genesis Project

The Genesis Project, which opened in 2006, is based at Somerset College of Arts and Technology, is a single story centre comprising of several pavilions built from environmentally friendly materials such as straw, timber, earth and clay.

The pavilions will contain seminar rooms and lecture theatres with exhibition space promoting the very latest in sustainable technology, along with a construction area where visitors can see practical demonstrations of sustainable construction techniques.

External links

* [http://www.somerset.ac.uk Somerset College of Arts and Technology website]
* [http://www.genesisproject.com Genesis Project]