The College

Sir John Deane’s College opened in September 1978 as a Sixth Form College for 16-19 year old students.  The College initially served the town of Northwich and surrounding rural areas but, for many years, it has welcomed students from across the region.  Students from our five partner 11-16 High Schools at Hartford, Leftwich, Middlewich, Rudheath and Weaverham account for about half of the annual intake, with the remainder coming from a wide range of 11-18 schools within and beyond Cheshire, from both the maintained and independent sectors.  Each year, the College is over-subscribed and, regrettably, some late applicants cannot be accommodated. 

 

We celebrated our 450th anniversary in October 2007.  Formerly Sir John Deane’s Grammar School, founded in 1557, our College has enjoyed a fine reputation for high quality education and strong academic standards across many generations of local people. We have also been fortunate in the ‘inheritance’ of our campus setting, which was a 350th anniversary gift from a famous local industrialist, Sir John Brunner.  Nevertheless, because the College is committed to further improvement even from such a strong base, we are currently finalising plans for a £26,000,000 new building project, intended to ensure that future generations of students here continue to be as well served by our buildings and equipment as their predecessors have been.  These plans will enable a substantial upgrading in the resources available to you during your time as a student here. 

 

The College continues its successful tradition of serving the local community by providing a broad range of courses, excellent teaching and a high level of personal support for each student. We offer a large number of Advanced Level courses, preparing students for Higher Education and a wide range of careers. Students’ programmes are further enriched through sporting and recreational options, General Studies, work experience, charity and community work, the creative and performing arts and much more. 

 

Typically, around 90% of our Upper Sixth students proceed to Higher Education, but a significant number of students use their Advanced qualifications to gain direct employment including management training with industrial, commercial and retail employers.  Some students continue their education at other colleges, following vocational courses or Art Foundation courses prior to Higher Education placement.

 

The following is a summary of our aims for all students:

 

•We are committed to equality of opportunity for all students irrespective of gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. 

 

•We are student-centred in our approach, responding to individual needs and aspirations.  We seek to establish a stimulating environment in which students enjoy their studies and participate fully in College life. 

 

•Our students will gain expertise and appropriate qualifications, together with a broad range of knowledge, skills and experience to promote their personal development.  

 

•These attributes enable our students to progress, usually via Higher Education, to their chosen career and to play a full part as adult citizens in a democratic society. 

 

•We are wholly committed to providing an educational experience of the highest quality.  A separate publication, the College Charter, details the commitments the College makes to each student.  Similarly, the College Charter refers to the commitment the College may reasonably expect of its students, both to their studies and to the College community.