College Partners

Stafford College has forged strong links with employers, universities and business organisations to maximise opportunities for the people studying and training here.

Two of the most important partnerships are those with the Staffordshire University Regional Federation (SURF) and the Stafford Collegiate.

The Stafford Collegiate is a partnership of all the education providers in Stafford - including local high schools, Chetwynd Centre and Stafford College.The aim of the Collegiate is to ensure that all students in Stafford have access to ALL the subjects offered by EVERY institution within the partnership. As the range of academic and vocational subjects available continues to increase, it has become more difficult for any school or college to offer a full range.
The creation of the Collegiate means that if you want to stay on at school but a particular subject is not offered by your sixth form or clashes with another course you wish to take, you will be able to take that course at another local centre.

To make it possible for people to study at more than one institution, a Stafford-wide curriculum has been created and all the subjects have been combined in a common timetable. www.thestaffordcollegiate.org

Together with the Connexions team, we can ensure that you will have access to the best possible advice and guidance. From the point when you start thinking about coming to college until the time comes to consider higher education or employment opportunities, you will always know where to find the information and help you need. Connexions Personal Advisers have an office in Student Services and because members of the team also go out into local high schools, they are often familiar faces to our students. They produce vacancy bulletins which are regularly updated for our students looking for part-time work and those seeking employment at the end of their course. Students can also access the Connexions Fast Tomato careers profiling programme on the campus.

Personal appointments with a Connexions Personal Adviser can be arranged by contacting Gemma Stepney, who is a Student Services Assistant with special responsibility for careers guidance. To contact Gemma, telephone 01785 275475, email g.stepney@staffordcoll.ac.uk or visit Student Services.

SURF is a partnership of local colleges including Stafford College, who work together with Staffordshire University to develop a shared approach to the provision of higher education in colleges throughout the region. Students who take one of our higher education courses and complete it satisfactorily, benefit from our partnership with Staffordshire University in an important way because they know that a place at the university will be provided for them if they wish to 'top-up' their qualification to an honours degree. www.surf.ac.uk

Hairdressing courses at Stafford College are delivered by top Midlands' salon Francesco Group.

Stafford College students are based in the fabulous surroundings of the Group's Training Academy in Woodings Yard. Here they work towards NVQ qualifications at Level 2 and 3. It is a great preparation for a career in hairdressing, offering a realistic salon-style experience with a nationally-recognised organisation.

As well as specialised qualifications in hairdressing or beauty therapy, students can follow combined hair and beauty courses to Level 2, with beauty skills learned in Stafford Beauty Academy, the on-campus training salon opened in conjunction with Hoar Cross Hall. www.francescogroup.co.uk