Early Life

Nescot began life as Ewell County Technical College, with the first students beginning courses in September 1953 and the establishment being formally opened the following March.

In the first academic year there were 789 students, with subjects split into the three departments of Building, Science and General Education. By the mid-1970s there were 4,000 students at the College, with fees costing between £72 and £120 per academic year for over-19s. Students aged 18 or under could claim travel costs of 15p per return journey.

Ewell County Technical College changed its name to Nescot in 1975, and in 1988 the College acquired the former Epsom High School. The theatre at Nescot, which today regularly hosts college events and external drama companies, is named after Adrian Mann, the College’s first chair of governors. It hosted several famous bands near the start of their careers including the Beatles, Queen and Black Sabbath.

The College was recognised as a pioneer in ‘liberal education’. By the mid-1960s students spent Wednesday afternoons taking supplementary courses from sailing to folk dancing. It was also one of the first technical colleges to appoint a member of staff responsible for student welfare. Today this team includes Advice and Guidance, Student Finance; the counselling service; an on-site nurse; childcare; the security staff; and specialist support for students who are or have been in care.

Courses to have disappeared from the Nescot curriculum over the years include: Biblical and Religious Studies; Certificate in Home Economics; Flower Arrangement; Golf Course Maintenance; Guest House Management and Typing. Our offer continually evolves and recent additions include IT Security, Lab Science, Early Years Pedagogy and a range of T-Levels.

Local Context

Nescot serves a primary catchment area that includes north and east Surrey and west and southwest London. Covering such a dense population area, and within 40 minutes of central London and both Gatwick and Heathrow airports, the skills needs of both employers and individuals within this catchment are extremely diverse.

Surrey has over 65,000 business of all sizes, has many residents commuting to the capital for work and a highly educated workforce, with a high proportion of residents holding degree-level qualifications (36% of adults –2011 census). However there are pockets of deprivation, in particular in neighbouring London boroughs, and challenges to social mobility in the region.

The College has established strong partnerships with a large base of employers, and is actively engaged in shaping the skills agenda in Surrey through the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). In addition, the College works in close partnership with Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Surrey County Council and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council to ensure strong links with the local economy and communities.

The recently published LSIP for the Surrey and Hampshire region highlights issues including a persistently high number of job vacancies and a shortage of applicants in many sectors including Digital, early years, and Health and Social Care. The College is actively engaged in the LSIP which is lead by Surrey Chambers of Commerce and local business groups. Nescot’s Principal & CEO is a member of the LSIP Steering Group (as Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership). Nescot’s Ofsted inspection in January 2023 recognised that the College is making a “Reasonable contribution to skills needs” and our objective is to be graded as ‘strong’ in this area when next inspected.

Around 25 distinct subject areas

Nescot 2023

Nescot teaches courses in around 25 distinct subject areas, addressing local, regional and national skills needs in sectors such as construction, health, IT and the arts. The College caters for learners of all ages from 14+.

are supported by government funding, and we also run “full cost” professional courses, such as certifications for the gas and electrical industries.

• Higher education: around 300 students completing university-level courses in teaching, counselling, arts, health and more.

• Apprentices: around 600 apprentices enrolled, mainly in construction, administration and IT programmes. Apprentices are employed and spend 80% of their time with their employer, attending College 10 – 30 days per year.

Our provision includes:

• Discrete 14-16 provision with a small cohort of learners who benefit from an alternative to being in school. Also a twiceyearly Saturday Academy giving young learners the chance to sample vocational studies in subjects such as animal care, beauty and carpentry.

• Courses for 16-19s: around 2,000 students each year, with a range of entry points up to Level 3 (A-level equivalent)

• Further education for adults: around 2,000 over-19s, studying up to Level 3, mostly on part-time courses. Many of these courses

• Distance learning: the College has developed a programme of around 80 online courses delivered with tutor support. These are ideal for Continuing Professional Development and the College works with employers such as the Metropolitan Police to provide specific workforce training.

The College is a major employer in the area, with around 600 staff (300 FTE) and a turnover of around £28m per annum.

The 2023/24 academic year will see the College launch delivery of T Levels as well as the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology.