The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
This academic year, Boston College is celebrating 50 years of growth and success since opening its doors to the very first students in 1964.
Boston College opened on September 7, 1964, under the leadership of Alan Moon. It offered 19 courses and was attended by 150 full time students, with 24 staff.
At the time, A-levels were the main provision and the college was seen as the option for students who chose not to continue their studies at Boston High or Grammar school.
The college got off to a successful start, seeing an increase of 750 full time students by its 25th anniversary.
BTEC courses were introduced in 1980, and the college created a large database of employment contacts for students. This meant apprenticeships were available to students wanting to study vocational courses, and progress into areas such as motor vehicle, hairdressing, beauty therapy, construction, carpentry and plumbing.
Apprenticeships are something Boston College still provides for both 16-18-year-olds and adults, meaning learners have the chance to gain work experience while studying for their qualification.
Following the successful uptake of apprenticeships, the college added degree level courses in 1989. Today, the Boston College University Centre is the dedicated venue for the study of higher education with specialised lecturers qualified to Masters level.
Boston College has its own restaurant, Lime, run by the catering and hospitality students and open to other students, staff and the public.
In 2012 the college introduced its new salon, Style Academy, which is a fully functioning hairdressing and beauty therapy salon.
Students run all aspects of the business from front of house and making appointments to dealing with customers and carrying out treatments.
For the learners, it provides a chance and gain experience working in a commercial salon giving them a true insight into the industry, whilst being supported by highly experienced and professional staff.
Today, Boston College offers over 250 courses to 7,110 learners, across six campuses, including Boston College: Spalding and Broadgate Campus Spalding.
Principal Amanda Mosek said: “Looking at early pictures of the College and reading about the curriculum offer from 50 years ago is a fascinating lesson in social history.
“Having the chance to talk to people who studied here in those early days makes me realise even then, we were making a huge difference to people’s lives; something that we continue to do today.
“The College has grown, adapted and become stronger over the last 50 years and I know, with absolute certainty, that we will still be here playing a key role in the local community in another 50 years’ time.”
The college is doing a variety of things to celebrate, including an exhibition of photos, equipment and case studies from across the different eras and a celebration event in the summer.
