Manchester College

Their journey began almost 200 years ago, with their history tracing back to the very start of Sunday school education and the foundation of St. John’s Sunday School in Manchester. 

They have been progressive thinkers and innovators in education ever since then, and by 1921, Byron Street was one of the first day continuation schools in England, taking up residency in the old school premises at St. John’s Parish. By the 1950s, they were pioneering the way in technical education, with hundreds of young civil servants and post office workers attending St John’s and Openshaw Technical College opening its doors for the first time. 

To meet the ever-changing needs of the educational community, Openshaw and St. John’s were soon merging to form The Central College Manchester, and later, The Manchester College of Arts (MANCAT).  Over in South Manchester, Fielden Park, Arden and Wythenshawe were merging to eventually form City College Manchester. 

They have been at the heart of Manchester life for decades, and by 2008 had united as The Manchester College. Since then, have continued to expand their offering and invest in local communities, opening new campuses and Centres of Excellence, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in learning and training. Today, they are the number one provider of 16-19 education, adult education and higher education in FE in Greater Manchester.