The college was formed in 1993 through a merger of the City and East London College, North London College, Islington Adult Education Service and Islington Sixth Form College,[2] which operated over 13 sites across Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.[3]
In 2005 the college completed a £64 million building programme, which was the biggest investment in accommodation in the history of further education in the United Kingdom.[4] Alongside the development of the new buildings, the management of teaching and learning was reorganised, and the five centres emerged.
On 1 August 2016, City and Islington College merged with Westminster Kingsway College to form the WKCIC Group, trading as Capital City College Group[5](CCCG). On 1 November 2017, the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London joined CCCG, making the group the largest further education and training provider in London[6] and one of the largest in the UK.
Facilities
The college was once spread across 13 different sites and three boroughs, and some of the buildings dated back to the 19th century. There are now four centres in Islington, each one specialising in a particular set of subjects. The centres provide study and recreational spaces, all with the latest ICT equipment for teaching and learning.[7]
The four centres are:
Centre for Applied Sciences
Centre for Business, Arts and Technology (including health, social and childcare)
Centre for Lifelong Learning
Sixth Form College
Each centre is focused on running particular courses and qualifications and each has its own community of students, teachers and support staff.[7]
Centre for Applied Sciences
Centre for Applied Sciences
In Angel, Islington, the centre building was officially opened by her Majesty's Chief Inspector for Schools, David Bell, in May 2005, the same year that Ofsted rated the college's science provision as outstanding.
Applied science courses range from Introductory Diplomas to Foundation Degrees and lead to professions that require specialist scientific knowledge such as forensics, optics, medicine, nursing and sports and fitness training.
Many of the staff have industry experience and there are links with prestigious London universities as well as professional organisations such as the Metropolitan Police.
In 2008, the college's Science provision was rewarded yet again, winning the Queen's Anniversary Prize, thus becoming the first general further education College to win the award twice. It was won for 'Creating Pathways to Employment and Higher Education in the Sciences'.[8]
Health, social and childcare courses are also offered at this centre, following the closure of the Marlborough Building in 2020.
Centre for Lifelong Learning
In Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park, courses are offered for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities together with courses in beauty and complementary therapies.
The centre, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, specialises in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses. Although most of the students are adults, a special ESOL programme for young people is also available. Courses range from beginner to advanced level and include Maths and IT.
Beauty Therapy, Barbering and Hairdressing are also taught and make use of the on-site salon.[11]
Sixth Form College
Sixth Form College
The Sixth Form College has a high standard of A-level results. As well as academic courses, students are involved in extra-curricular activities with an enrichment programme, as well as opportunities for trips abroad and the chance to work with professional organisations like the Almeida Theatre, or participation in the Duke of Edinburgh award.
Students are able to choose from over 30 A-level courses for 16- to 18-year-olds in the following subject areas: English, Media, Humanities, Business Studies, ICT, Languages, Maths, Performing Arts, Sciences, Visual Arts and Design.[12]
