Google Street View of City
of Westminster College
Location: Westminster College, City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom (51.5208°N 0.1728°W)
City of Westminster College:
City of Westminster College is a further education college located in the borough of Westminster, central London. The College has two centres located in Paddington and Queen's Park. It also includes the Cockpit Theatre, a fully operational studio theatre used for training and performances, and a range of outreach centres.
City of Westminster College provides around 250 full-time and part-time courses to over 7,000 students each year. Just over a fifth of students come from the local borough, with the remainder being drawn from across London and the south-east. Over 40 per cent of students speak English as an additional language and there are more than 50 first languages spoken across College campuses.
The Principal Keith Cowell - previously Deputy Principal of Croydon College - joined City of Westminster College in November 2009. Shanaka Dias is Chair of Governors.
In its most recent inspection, Ofsted rated the college as 'satisfactory' for overall effectiveness.
History of City of Westminster College:
Originally established as Paddington Technical Institute, the college celebrated its centenary in 2004. The original Institute was opened in Saltram Crescent, W9 and early courses focused on vocational subjects such as building, commerce, dressmaking and engineering.
Having previously inhabited a series of mostly Victorian buildings, the college moved to a purpose-built eight-storey site on Paddington Green in 1967, also changing its name to Paddington Technical College. Overlooking the Conservation Areas of St Mary's Gardens (a former churchyard) and Paddington Green, the building featured what were then high-specification facilities such as a bespoke vehicle workshop and rolling road.
In 1984 it became Paddington College to reflect the increasing variety of courses it offered and, when administration of the college passed from the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) to Westminster City Council in 1990, it adopted its current name. On 1 April 1993 City of Westminster College became self-governing.
Past principals Dr Ryan 1903-1914; Mr Cooke 1914-1929; F. H. Reid 1929-1939; Dr Robinson 1939-1947; A. T. Lindley 1948-1970; A. W. Thompson 1970-1975; S. F. Everiss 1975-1976; Margaret Rawlins 1976-1977; Alan Hutchinson 1977-1987; Janey Rees 1987-1990; Paul Bellamy 1991-2005; Robin Shreeve 2005-2009.
