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{{About|a university campus|the boy's grammar school|Buxton College}}
{{Infobox University
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Buxton & Leek College
| name = Buxton & Leek College
| image_name = Buxton and Leek logo.png
| image_name = Buxton and Leek logo.png
| image_size = 250px
| image_size =
| established = 2013 (current form). 1868 as Leek School of Art
| established = May 2013 (current form). 1868 as Leek School of Art
| type = College of [[Further Education|Further]] and [[Higher Education|Higher]] Education
| type = College of [[Further Education|Further]] and [[Higher Education|Higher]] Education
| website = http://www.blc.ac.uk/
| website = http://www.blc.ac.uk/
| former_names = Buxton College, Leek College, High Peak College, Leek School of Art, Nicholson Institute of Science and Technology
| former_names = Buxton College, Leek College, High Peak College, Leek School of Art, Nicholson Institute of Science and Technology
| director = Heather Marks (from 1st July 2024)
| principal = Len Tildsley
| head_label = Chairman of Council
| head_label = Chair of the University Governing Council
| head = Chris Hughes
| head = Gurpreet Dehal
| academic_affiliation = [[University of Derby]]
| academic_affiliation = [[University of Derby]]
| city = [[Buxton]], [[Leek]] and [[Derby]]
| city = [[Buxton]], [[Leek, Staffordshire|Leek]] and [[Derby]]
| country = England, UK
| country = England, UK
| campus = Urban and Rural
| campus = Urban and Rural
}}
}}


'''Buxton & Leek College''' is a College of [[Further Education|Further]] and [[Higher Education|Higher]] Education operating at their campuses and facilities in [[Buxton]], [[Derbyshire]], [[Leek, Staffordshire|Leek]], [[Staffordshire]] and [[Derby, Derbyshire]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/our-facilities/|title=Fantastic Facilities {{!}} Info for Students {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":2" />. The College is part of the University of Derby<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derby.ac.uk/about/organisation/|title=Our organisation - University of Derby|last=username|website=www.derby.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref><ref name=":4" />.
'''Buxton & Leek College''' is a college of [[Further Education|Further]] and [[Higher Education|Higher]] Education operating at their campuses and facilities in [[Buxton]], [[Derbyshire]], [[Leek, Staffordshire|Leek]], [[Staffordshire]] and [[Derby, Derbyshire]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/our-facilities/|title=Fantastic Facilities {{!}} Info for Students {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> The college is part of the [[University of Derby]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derby.ac.uk/about/organisation/|title=Our organisation - University of Derby|last=username|website=www.derby.ac.uk|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref><ref name=":4" />



== History ==
== History ==
Buxton & Leek College was formed in 2013 by the University of Derby bringing together all of their Further Education operations into one branded entity<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/business/new-chapter-at-colleges-1-5725368|title=New chapter at colleges|website=www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>. Prior to this, the University ran Further Education under the name 'Buxton College’, with operations at the Buxton Campus and University of Derby's Kedleston Road site. After Leek College was merged into the University in 2012<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/leek-and-buxton-merger-becomes-official-1-4793325|title=Leek and Buxton merger becomes official|website=www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref> both the 'Buxton College’ and 'Leek College’ names were dropped and replaced with the new name 'Buxton & Leek College’.
Buxton & Leek College was formed in 2013 by the University of Derby bringing together all of their Further Education operations into one branded entity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/business/new-chapter-at-colleges-1-5725368|title=New chapter at colleges|website=www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref> Prior to this, the university ran Further Education under the name 'Buxton College’, with operations at the Buxton Campus and University of Derby's Kedleston Road site. After Leek College was merged into the university in 2012<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/leek-and-buxton-merger-becomes-official-1-4793325|title=Leek and Buxton merger becomes official|website=www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref> both the 'Buxton College’ and 'Leek College’ names were dropped and replaced with the new name 'Buxton & Leek College’.


Buxton College was originally named ''High Peak College'', which was an independent FE College up until 1998, when it was dissolved as an independent entity and merged into the University of Derby<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1653/contents/made|title=The High Peak College, Buxton (Dissolution) Order 1998|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>. ''High Peak College'' originally opened in 1955 in buildings in Buxton town centre, before moving out of the town centre to Harpur Hill in 1964 into what had been RAF buildings<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-404000-369000/page/10|title=HIGH PEAK COLLEGE|website=domesday|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>. In the mid 2000s the College was relocated to the refurbished [[Devonshire Dome]] in Buxton town centre, and was officially opened by [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles]] in 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explorebuxton.co.uk/university-of-derby-buxton-campus-celebrates-10-year-anniversary/|title=University of Derby Buxton Campus Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary {{!}} Explore Buxton|website=explorebuxton.co.uk|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>. At this point it was renamed 'Buxton College’.
Buxton College was originally named ''High Peak College'', which was an independent FE College up until 1998, when it was dissolved as an independent entity and merged into the University of Derby.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1653/contents/made|title=The High Peak College, Buxton (Dissolution) Order 1998|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref> ''High Peak College'' originally opened in 1955 in buildings in Buxton town centre, before moving out of the town centre to Harpur Hill in 1964 into what had been RAF buildings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-404000-369000/page/10|title=HIGH PEAK COLLEGE|website=domesday|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318044234/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-404000-369000/page/10|archive-date=2012-03-18|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the mid-2000s the college was relocated to the refurbished [[Devonshire Dome]] in Buxton town centre, and was officially opened by [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles]] in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explorebuxton.co.uk/university-of-derby-buxton-campus-celebrates-10-year-anniversary/|title=University of Derby Buxton Campus Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary {{!}} Explore Buxton|website=explorebuxton.co.uk|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref> At this point it was renamed 'Buxton College’.


Leek College can trace its history back to 1868 when the ''Leek School of Art'' was founded in the town<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.emfec.co.uk/2016/12/09/new-degree-course-offer-leek-school-art/|title=New Degree Course on Offer at Leek School of Art - emfec|date=2016-12-09|work=emfec|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol7/pp84-169#h3-0121|title=Leek: Leek and Lowe {{!}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>. ''Leek College of Further Education'' was formed in 1981 from the merger of the ''Leek School of Arts and Crafts'' and the ''Nicholson Institute of Science and Technology''<ref name=":6" />. The College was dissolved as an independent entity in 2012 when it was merged into the University of Derby<ref name=":5" />.
Leek College can trace its history back to 1868 when the ''Leek School of Art'' was founded in the town.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.emfec.co.uk/2016/12/09/new-degree-course-offer-leek-school-art/|title=New Degree Course on Offer at Leek School of Art - emfec|date=2016-12-09|work=emfec|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol7/pp84-169#h3-0121|title=Leek: Leek and Lowe {{!}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref> ''Leek College of Further Education'' was formed in 1981 from the merger of the ''Leek School of Arts and Crafts'' and the ''Nicholson Institute of Science and Technology''.<ref name=":6" /> The college was dissolved as an independent entity in 2012 when it was merged into the University of Derby.<ref name=":5" />


Even before the mergers with High Peak College and Leek College, the University of Derby had a long history of providing further and adult education, having been founded as a teacher training College in 1851<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Derby|url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/derby/|website=The Complete University Guide|accessdate=4 February 2018}}</ref> and merging with various different colleges throughout the twentieth century, before achieving University status in 1992.
Even before the mergers with High Peak College and Leek College, the University of Derby had a long history of providing further and adult education, having been founded as a teacher training College in 1851<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Derby|url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/derby/|website=The Complete University Guide|access-date=4 February 2018}}</ref> and merging with various different colleges throughout the twentieth century, before achieving University status in 1992.


== Campuses ==
== Campuses ==
[[File:Devonshire Dome 2.jpg|thumb|[[Devonshire Dome]]]]
[[File:Devonshire Dome 2.jpg|thumb|[[Devonshire Dome]]]]
The Buxton Campus of the College is situated within the [[Devonshire Dome]], with outdoor sports facilities at Northwood House in Buxton<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/our-facilities/buxton-campus/|title=Buxton Campus {{!}} Our Facilities {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>, sports and gym facilities at the former High Peak College site in Harpur Hill<ref name=":0" /> and a "specialist training centre for Motor Vehicle Engineering, Logistics, Warehousing & Storage, Construction Crafts, Painting & Decorating and Welding" at Harpur Hill Industrial Estate<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/our-facilities/harpur-hill/|title=Harpur Hill {{!}} Our Facilities {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>.


The Buxton Campus of the college is situated within the [[Devonshire Dome]], with outdoor sports facilities at Northwood House in Buxton (now closed),<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/our-facilities/buxton-campus/|title=Buxton Campus {{!}} Our Facilities {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> sports and gym facilities at the former High Peak College site in Harpur Hill (now closed) <ref name=":0" /> and a "specialist training centre for Motor Vehicle Engineering and Welding" at Harpur Hill Industrial Estate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/our-facilities/harpur-hill/|title=Harpur Hill {{!}} Our Facilities {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>
The Leek Campus of the College is situated on Stockwell Street in Leek town centre at the site of what was Leek College. Since the merger with University of Derby the site was extensively re-developed between 2013 and 2015. Older buildings were demolished to make way for new purpose built buildings for art and design, engineering, and construction courses<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=53985|title=Campus redevelopment of Buxton & Leek College: Design and access statement|last=Hunt Architects|first=|publisher=|year=|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.huntarchitects.co.uk/portfolio/campus-redevelopment/|title=Campus Redevelopment - Hunt Architects|work=Hunt Architects|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>. The £7million cost of the development was funded by the [[Skills Funding Agency]] and [[University of Derby]]<ref name=":1" />.


The Leek Campus of the college is situated on Stockwell Street in Leek town centre at the site of what was Leek College. Since the merger with University of Derby the site was extensively re-developed between 2013 and 2015. Older buildings were demolished to make way for new purpose built buildings for art and design, engineering, and construction courses.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=53985|title=Campus redevelopment of Buxton & Leek College: Design and access statement|last=Hunt Architects}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.huntarchitects.co.uk/portfolio/campus-redevelopment/|title=Campus Redevelopment - Hunt Architects|work=Hunt Architects|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> The £7million cost of the development was funded by the [[Skills Funding Agency]] and [[University of Derby]].<ref name=":1" />
In the city of Derby, Buxton & Leek College runs a variety of Access to HE and Foundation programme pathways at the University of Derby’s Kedleston Road site (Access to HE is also run at the Buxton and Leek Campuses)<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/subject-areas/access/access-higher-education/|title=Access to Higher Education Courses {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In the city of Derby, Buxton & Leek College runs a variety of Access to HE and Foundation programme pathways at the University of Derby's Kedleston Road site (Access to HE is also run at the Buxton and Leek Campuses)<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/subject-areas/access/access-higher-education/|title=Access to Higher Education Courses {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>


== Courses ==
== Courses ==
The College offers academic and vocational courses including [[Apprenticeship|Apprenticeships]], [[NVQ|NVQs]], [[Business and Technology Education Council|BTECs]], [[GCSEs]], [[Access to Higher Education|Access to HE]] and [[Higher National Certificate|HNC]]/[[Higher National Diploma|HNDs]], as well as a range of short/leisure courses<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/course-types-levels/|title=Course Types & Levels {{!}} Info for Students {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>.
The college offers academic and vocational courses, including [[apprenticeship]]s, [[NVQ]]s, [[Business and Technology Education Council|BTECs]], [[GCSEs]], [[Access to Higher Education|Access to HE]] and [[Higher National Certificate|HNC]]/[[Higher National Diploma|HNDs]], as well as a range of short/leisure courses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/course-types-levels/|title=Course Types & Levels {{!}} Info for Students {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>


A limited number of Undergraduate degree programmes are run by the College. These courses are validated by University of Derby<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/university-level/university-level-courses/|title=Get a University Level qualification {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> and are run at the Buxton and Leek Campuses.
A limited number of undergraduate degree programmes are run by the college. These courses are validated by University of Derby<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/university-level/university-level-courses/|title=Get a University Level qualification {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> and are run at the Buxton and Leek Campuses.


Students can progress onto higher education through the University of Derby or any other University. A [[bursary]] of £1000 is available to any Buxton & Leek College student progressing to a degree at the University of Derby<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/part-university-derby/|title=Part of the University of Derby {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>.
Students can progress onto higher education through the University of Derby or any other university. A [[bursary]] of £1000 is available to any Buxton & Leek College student progressing to a degree at the University of Derby.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/part-university-derby/|title=Part of the University of Derby {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>


== Management and Governance ==
== Management and governance ==
The College management structure currently includes a Senior Management team at the top with Curriculum Leaders below overseeing operation of courses and subject areas<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/meet-our-managers/|title=Meet the Team {{!}} Managers {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>. The College is led by the Principal Len Tildsley<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/lentildsley|title=Len Tildsley (@lentildsley) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>.
The college management structure currently includes a senior management team at the top, with curriculum leaders below overseeing operation of courses and subject areas.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.blc.ac.uk/about-blc/meet-our-managers/|title=Meet the Team {{!}} Managers {{!}} Buxton & Leek College|work=Buxton & Leek College|access-date=2018-02-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> The college is led by the director of FE & Skills, Heather Marks from 1st July 2024 following the retirement of the Principal Len Tildsley on 28th March 2024.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/lentildsley|title=Len Tildsley (@lentildsley) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>


The College is Governed by a sub-Committee of the University of Derby’s Governing Council<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derby.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance/governors/|title=Governors - University of Derby|last=username|website=www.derby.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>
The college is governed by a sub-committee of the University of Derby's governing council<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derby.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance/governors/|title=Governors - University of Derby|last=username|website=www.derby.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-03}}</ref>


The [[Association of Colleges|Association of Colleges (AoC)]] briefs that the running of Buxton & Leek College by the University of Derby has proved 'sustainable’, in an age when other mergers of Further Education Colleges into Universities have failed<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.aoc.co.uk/sites/default/files/Merger%20Tips%20Document%20November%202015_0.pdf|title=Briefing Draft - Merger Tips|last=|first=|publisher=Association of Colleges (AoC)|year=2015|isbn=|location=|page=8|pages=}}</ref>.
The [[Association of Colleges|Association of Colleges (AoC)]] briefs that the running of Buxton & Leek College by the University of Derby has proved 'sustainable’, in an age when other mergers of Further Education Colleges into Universities have failed.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.aoc.co.uk/sites/default/files/Merger%20Tips%20Document%20November%202015_0.pdf|title=Briefing Draft - Merger Tips|publisher=Association of Colleges (AoC)|year=2015|page=8}}</ref>


Buxton & Leek College is currently rated as "Requires Improvement" by [[Ofsted]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/index.php?q=filedownloading/&id=2604191&type=1&refer=0|title=Ofsted report - University of Derby, 27-30 September 2016|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>.
Buxton & Leek College is currently rated as "Good" by [[Ofsted]] following an inspection in March 2019 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/43/133811|title=Ofsted report - University of Derby, 2019}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.blc.ac.uk Buxton & Leek College homepage]
* [http://www.blc.ac.uk Buxton & Leek College homepage]
* [http://www.derby.ac.uk University of Derby homepage]


{{Derbyshire Schools}}
{{Universities and colleges in the East Midlands}}
{{Universities and colleges in the West Midlands}}
{{Universities and colleges in the West Midlands}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Buxton]]
[[Category:Buxton]]
[[Category:Leek, Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Leek, Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 2013]]

[[Category:2013 establishments in England]]

{{UK-university-stub}}

Latest revision as of 23:09, 29 March 2024

Buxton & Leek College
Former names
Buxton College, Leek College, High Peak College, Leek School of Art, Nicholson Institute of Science and Technology
TypeCollege of Further and Higher Education
EstablishedMay 2013 (current form). 1868 as Leek School of Art
Academic affiliation
University of Derby
DirectorHeather Marks (from 1st July 2024)
Chair of the University Governing CouncilGurpreet Dehal
Location,
England, UK
CampusUrban and Rural
Websitehttp://www.blc.ac.uk/

Buxton & Leek College is a college of Further and Higher Education operating at their campuses and facilities in Buxton, Derbyshire, Leek, Staffordshire and Derby, Derbyshire.[1][2] The college is part of the University of Derby.[3][4]

History[edit]

Buxton & Leek College was formed in 2013 by the University of Derby bringing together all of their Further Education operations into one branded entity.[5] Prior to this, the university ran Further Education under the name 'Buxton College’, with operations at the Buxton Campus and University of Derby's Kedleston Road site. After Leek College was merged into the university in 2012[6] both the 'Buxton College’ and 'Leek College’ names were dropped and replaced with the new name 'Buxton & Leek College’.

Buxton College was originally named High Peak College, which was an independent FE College up until 1998, when it was dissolved as an independent entity and merged into the University of Derby.[7] High Peak College originally opened in 1955 in buildings in Buxton town centre, before moving out of the town centre to Harpur Hill in 1964 into what had been RAF buildings.[8] In the mid-2000s the college was relocated to the refurbished Devonshire Dome in Buxton town centre, and was officially opened by Prince Charles in 2006.[9] At this point it was renamed 'Buxton College’.

Leek College can trace its history back to 1868 when the Leek School of Art was founded in the town.[10][11] Leek College of Further Education was formed in 1981 from the merger of the Leek School of Arts and Crafts and the Nicholson Institute of Science and Technology.[11] The college was dissolved as an independent entity in 2012 when it was merged into the University of Derby.[6]

Even before the mergers with High Peak College and Leek College, the University of Derby had a long history of providing further and adult education, having been founded as a teacher training College in 1851[12] and merging with various different colleges throughout the twentieth century, before achieving University status in 1992.

Campuses[edit]

Devonshire Dome

The Buxton Campus of the college is situated within the Devonshire Dome, with outdoor sports facilities at Northwood House in Buxton (now closed),[13] sports and gym facilities at the former High Peak College site in Harpur Hill (now closed) [13] and a "specialist training centre for Motor Vehicle Engineering and Welding" at Harpur Hill Industrial Estate.[14]

The Leek Campus of the college is situated on Stockwell Street in Leek town centre at the site of what was Leek College. Since the merger with University of Derby the site was extensively re-developed between 2013 and 2015. Older buildings were demolished to make way for new purpose built buildings for art and design, engineering, and construction courses.[15][16] The £7million cost of the development was funded by the Skills Funding Agency and University of Derby.[16]

In the city of Derby, Buxton & Leek College runs a variety of Access to HE and Foundation programme pathways at the University of Derby's Kedleston Road site (Access to HE is also run at the Buxton and Leek Campuses)[2]

Courses[edit]

The college offers academic and vocational courses, including apprenticeships, NVQs, BTECs, GCSEs, Access to HE and HNC/HNDs, as well as a range of short/leisure courses.[17]

A limited number of undergraduate degree programmes are run by the college. These courses are validated by University of Derby[18] and are run at the Buxton and Leek Campuses.

Students can progress onto higher education through the University of Derby or any other university. A bursary of £1000 is available to any Buxton & Leek College student progressing to a degree at the University of Derby.[4]

Management and governance[edit]

The college management structure currently includes a senior management team at the top, with curriculum leaders below overseeing operation of courses and subject areas.[19] The college is led by the director of FE & Skills, Heather Marks from 1st July 2024 following the retirement of the Principal Len Tildsley on 28th March 2024.[19][20]

The college is governed by a sub-committee of the University of Derby's governing council[21]

The Association of Colleges (AoC) briefs that the running of Buxton & Leek College by the University of Derby has proved 'sustainable’, in an age when other mergers of Further Education Colleges into Universities have failed.[22]

Buxton & Leek College is currently rated as "Good" by Ofsted following an inspection in March 2019 [23]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fantastic Facilities | Info for Students | Buxton & Leek College". Buxton & Leek College. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Access to Higher Education Courses | Buxton & Leek College". Buxton & Leek College. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  3. ^ username. "Our organisation - University of Derby". www.derby.ac.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Part of the University of Derby | Buxton & Leek College". Buxton & Leek College. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
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External links[edit]

53°06′27″N 2°01′21″W / 53.1076°N 2.0225°W / 53.1076; -2.0225