North Hertfordshire College ("NHC") is a further education and higher education college operating in Stevenage, Hitchin, and Letchworth Garden City. NHC was established on 1 April 1991, through the amalgamation of Stevenage College, Hitchin College and Letchworth Technical College. NHC is graded 'Good with Outstanding features' by Ofsted.

History

The college was established on 1 April 1991 when further education, in Hertfordshire, was reorganised. One of the institutions merged into the new college was Hitchin College of Further Education.

Campuses and Facilities

The college has two campuses in Stevenage, one in Hitchin, and an administrative centre in Letchworth Garden City.

Stevenage Centre

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opened the Stevenage Centre in 2003. This centre is the largest campus; subjects taught there are childcare, General Certificate of Secondary Education subjects, Higher Education, health and social care, including science.

Engineering and Construction Campus

The Engineering and Construction Campus offers courses in carpentry, plumbing, electrical course offer, brickwork, engineering, and painting including decorating. In 2011, the centre expanded with a new welding training centre which was opened by Skills Minister, Matthew Hancock.

Hitchin Centre

The Hitchin Centre offers courses in business, tourism and events, hair and beauty, catering, sport, public services as well as creative arts. In 2012 to 2014, the centre was redeveloped.

The Retreat

The Retreat, based at the Hitchin Centre, offers hairdressing and beauty therapy services. The salon is staffed by qualified and learning students.

Sports Centre

The Sports Centre offers sport and fitness facilities to students and the public, including basketball courts, fitness studios, dance studios, a gym, and an all weather 3G football pitch.

The Meadows

The Meadows is a student-run restaurant. Under the direction of a head chef, students design menus as well as prepare and serve food and drinks to customers, including a lunch menu as well as theme evenings throughout the year.

Airbus Foundation Discovery Space

In January 2017, NHC and Airbus opened a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education centre, the Airbus Foundation Discovery Space, which is backed and funded by the Airbus Foundation and the Hertfordshire LEP. The centre was opened by astronaut Tim Peake.

Grading

The college has been accredited with Investors in People Gold Award in 2012 and 2014. In November 2017, NHC underwent an Ofsted inspection and received a Grade 2 (Good) for overall effectiveness of the provision. The effectiveness of the college's higher needs provision and traineeship were graded as Outstanding.

Notable alumni

NHC alumni include: