New College, Swindon
New College is a further and higher education institution in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. There are two main campuses, Queens Drive and North Star, as well as an Adult Learning Centre in Swindon town centre. The College delivers qualifications and training opportunities for learners of all ages and abilities including GCSEs, A Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications, higher education and degree-level courses, apprenticeships, professional and business training, and leisure courses. Facilities. On 17 August 2020, New College merged with Swindon College. Both campuses are a short distance from Swindon’s town centre, railway station and central bus  station. Queens Drive Campus. The Queens Drive campus is just outside the town centre, near Coate Water Country Park. Facilities include: North Star Campus. Formally the site of Swindon College, the North Star campus is in the centre of Swindon near the railway station. Facilities include: Courses. New College is known for its range of courses offered, with almost 40 A Level subjects – including unusual options such as Ceramics, History (Tudors & Stuarts), Archaeology and Environmental Sciences – and a selection of vocational courses including Construction, Engineering, Vehicle Maintenance, Hospitality & Catering, Public Services, Hair & Beauty, Health Care & Childcare, Sport, Performing Arts and  Art, Design & Photography. The College also offers a substantial number of programmes at Level 1 and 2 as well as part-time qualification, leisure courses and professional training for adults. New College runs a football academy where students train and play, usually alongside an academic course. Until 2020 they fielded New College Swindon F.C. (previously New College Academy F.C.) who competed in the Hellenic League. The college also offers a basketball academy and a netball academy. University partnerships. New College Swindon has formed strategic partnerships with the University of Gloucestershire, Oxford Brookes University and Bath Spa University to offer a  range of foundation degrees and degrees. Notable alumni. Former and current sporting alumni include Shelley Rudman (skeleton bob), Laura Halford (rhythmic gymnastics), Debbie Palmer (speed skating and ice hockey), Jaime King (swimming), Jon Lewis (cricket), Matt O'Dowd (athletics), Louise Hunt (wheelchair tennis), and Anna Mayes (netball). Alumni in other fields include the singer, rapper and songwriter known as S1mba. Achievements. New College was assessed as being GOOD when last visited by Ofsted in November 2017.