Cirencester College

Cirencester College is a sixth form college based in the town of Cirencester in the South Cotswolds. It is a specialist sixth form provider serving communities in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. Cirencester College offers a wide choice of qualifications including A-levels, the new T-levels in addition to vocational training.

Cirencester College
Location
Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Information
Established	1991
Principal	Matt Reynolds
Sixth form students	3100 students (3000 full-time, 100 apprentices)
Website	https://www.cirencester.ac.uk

History

Established as a tertiary college in 1991, Cirencester College gained its sixth form status in November 2011, one of only three designated colleges in the South West. Cirencester College was awarded ‘Good' status in all six categories by Ofsted in 2018, as well as Beacon Status in 2004.

Campus

The main campus is located half a mile from Cirencester town centre. The college undertook a building programme with a Sports Hall, multi classroom complex, STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) building, and an Animal Centre which opened in September 2019. The Gloucestershire Digital Skills Centre opened in 2022 funded by GFirst, Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership from the Government’s ‘Getting Building Fund’ programme. The College’s new T-level building opened in February 2023; providing specialist accommodation for T-level students in engineering, health, construction, finance, early years, accounting and business.^{[citation needed]}

The college is the site of the 275-seater Sundial Theatre, which is used for both college events and drama classes as well as external performances from bands, theatre companies, comedians, and professional speakers.^[1]

Adult Education

The college has around 300 adult learners studying funded programmes such as English, maths and ESOL and another 600+ doing leisure courses for their interest and wellbeing.^[2]

Former principals

• 1991–2010 Nigel Robbins, retired December 2010^[3]
• 2011–2017 Kim Clifford, retired January 2017^[4]
• 2017–2023 Jim Grant, lecturer of history and archaeology, advocate for T levels,^[5] and published archaeologist.^[6] He died on 15th May 2023^[7]
• 2023-present Matt Reynolds

Notable alumni

• Ellie Harrison - Journalist, and presenter of the BBC's CountryFile.
• Pete Reed - Three-time Olympic gold medallist rower.
• Phoebe Paterson Pine - British paralympian and archer.