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Strode College
IAN Bennett, principal of Strode College, recently gave an interesting talk about the college to Street Society members. He outlined Street's early place in higher education, beginning as early as 1871. The technical school on Leigh Road started in 1899 when boot and shoe classes were given, and dressmaking was a popular course.
History
Strode School was founded in 1913 and it then became part of Elmhurst Grammar
School in 1920. For several years a day continuation School existed for both
boy and girl employees to continue part-time education until the age of 16 years. The technical institute in Leigh Road closed in 1962, when Strode
Technical College was founded after intense lobbying of Somerset County
Council.
Strode Tertiary College opened in Street in 1973, and was established as a
socially inclusive community college for all levels and abilities. Its college campus style dates from then and it was well ahead of its time.
Size and curriculum
In spite of its rural location, Strode College has 1300 full-time and 8500
part-time students. The curriculum offers courses from entry level through to
post-graduate level. Fortysix A level subjects are offered together with a
wide range of vocational courses. Students who wish to study for a degree
in Psychology, Sociology, or English may take their first year at Strode
College. Years two and three are then completed at Bath Spa University
College. Strode College has received Beacon Awards in recent years, for
its work in Archaeology, Business Studies and prison education.
Prison Education
Strode College has been involved in prison education since the mid-1980s. Beginning with one prison, this had increased by 1999 to nine prisons, located in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Bristol. Strode College is now the fourth biggest prison education provider in England. High standards of education in prisons include important training in oral communication, literacy, numeracy and vocational education. Out of a total of 700 staff, 200
work in prisons; and the rest work in Street or other parts of Somerset where
the college offers many courses.
Facilities
During the 1970s and 1980s the courses were more academic with some vocational education. Since then Strode College has expanded, both in size and its range of courses, doubling in size between 1997 and 2003. Among new facilities, the sports hall provides the opportunity for a wide range of sporting activities. The College is responsible for Strode Theatre and it is the only college in the country with such a professional facility. Information technology at the college is ultra-modern; it is used in many courses, and in several instances students can learn at their own pace. Other facilities include a dance studio, a music technology studio, a refectory, and a creche for children of students. Health and beauty courses with all facilities have been available since the 1980s. Students also have the opportunity to take courses at their own workplace - for example, staff at Clarks International have the opportunity to learn on the Clarks site. In a wider context, Mr Bennett stressed the remarkable range of educational facilities that were available in Street, a small community in a rural
environment. A lively question and answer period followed Mr Bennett's talk.
Next merting
The next Street Society meeting will be at the Leigh Road Methodist Hall
on Tuesday, 24th February, when David Parsons will talk about the history of
worship in Street.
June Whitfield, events committee. The Street Society
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