Liverpool Community College

Liverpool Community College is the only college of further education in Liverpool, Merseyside. It was established in 1992 by the amalgamation of all the further education colleges in Liverpool and was formerly known as the "City of Liverpool Community College".

In 2005, it had approximately 7,000 full-time and 18,000 part-time students. The principal is Maureen Mellor MBE

The College is based on several sites around the city, mainly in the city centre. DISCs (Drop In Study Centres) are local facilities located in the suburbs and in most main centres in order to enable students to work outside of college, providing internet access, books and access to the central college network.

In the last seven years an extensive building programme has seen the closure of several unsuitable buildings and the opening of state-of-the-art centres in the city. In February 2006, a refurbished Bankfield Road Centre re-opened and the Old Swan Centre was closed as it was unfit for purpose.

The college left LEA control and was incorporated in 1993 and is overseen by the Corporation Board. The board is made up of representatives from local businesses and communities. The college receives its funding from the government via the Learning and Skills Council, Greater Merseyside.

College Sites

These are the main college centres, all of which are within the City Centre area.

The Arts Centre

Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Journalism, Media, Fashion and Clothing.

Bankfield Road

Business, Business IT, Sport and Recreation, Specialist Provision, Fresh Start (Basic Skills and Return to Learn)

Clarence Street

GCSE, A Level (except Arts), Science and Maths, Access to Health, Languages, EFL, Fresh Start (Basic Skills and Return to Learn)

Duke Street

Travel and Tourism, Catering, Hairdressing and Beauty, Therapies, English for Speakers of Other Languages, English as a Foreign Language, Professional Development.

Mulberry Street

Pre-entry level programmes such as the Essential Skills Award. We offer the Essential skills Award in the following areas Community and leisure Personal development Practical skill Vocational skills & Daily living skill.

Vauxhall Road

Engineering and Construction, Sport and Recreation, Fresh Start (Basic Skills and Return to Learn)

DISCs

(Drop In Study Centres) Nineteen of these are located in neighbourhoods right across the city offering Basic Skills and Fresh Start courses.

Qualifications Available

The college offers traditional academic qualifications such as GCSE and A-Levels, but additionally offers vocational awards, certificates or diplomas, known as BTEC. Students studying these tend to progress to university.

There are some professional qualifications such as Microsoft Systems Administrator, Microsoft Office Specialist and CISCO CCNA. Students studying these either are doing so to strengthen their career prospects or enhance their existing skills.

External links

* [http://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/ Liverpool Community College]
* [http://education.independent.co.uk/higher/az_uni_colleges/article2270.ece A to Z of Unis and Colleges from "The Independent"]
* [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/manreports/2791.htm Ofsted report for Liverpool Community College (2005)]