About Us

With campuses in Colchester, Braintree and Tendring, programmes include full and part time further education courses, degrees and Apprenticeships as well as short courses for industry. In our recent Ofsted inspection, the College was judged to be Good in every judgement area, and inspectors awarded the highest possible grade for the way in which the College meets skills needs, confirming our strong contribution to providing the exact training that local people and organisations need.

Vocational learning is an integral part of all of our courses, where the knowledge gained from practical activities with cutting edge, industry standard resources, work placements and theory provides students with strong knowledge and skills in their chosen field. Our ambition is to ensure that all students achieve the best possible results they can, giving them a competitive edge when entering employment or taking their studies to the next level.

In Colchester, we have recently transformed our main buildings to provide outstanding facilities to support our mission. Every year we further invest in our facilities to ensure the best possible learning environments and to help support growth in demand for our courses. In 2024 we launched our spacious Net Zero and Renewables Centre, offering a range of Green Skills courses aimed at local industry, as well as our own students. In recent years we opened state of the art commercial hair and beauty salons alongside our new Early Years suite, that now supports successful T Level qualifications. As the largest provider of Construction skills training across the East of England, we also continue to expand our workshops supporting a wide range of construction trades and professional courses.

All of this activity follows on from opening our flagship £5m Health and Social Care facility in 2020, complete with replica clinical and care settings and immersive technologies. These developments complement our fabulous facilities for all other areas and especially Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, Creative Media, Hospitality, Performing Arts and Art and Design.

At Braintree we completed our multi-million pound campus transformation programme in 2019, providing outstanding learning environments for all subject areas, including some of the very best facilities in the country for Digital Media and Engineering. Both main campuses feature a welcoming library, study zones, student services and refectory facilities to support students.

Our degree students, enrolled at University Centre Colchester enjoy their own building and facilities and study on a range of degrees and apprenticeships, which are also focused strongly on preparing graduates for work, or progression at work.  University Centre Colchester has an excellent track record for its graduates gaining work or further study after their time with us.

Alison Andreas, Principal and Chief Executive

The Board discharges its responsibility for setting the strategic direction of Colchester Institute by agreeing the Vision and Mission statements and the College’s Strategic Plan.

Our Vision

Our Vision

By 2028 Colchester Institute will be a vibrant, sustainable college, exceeding the expectations of all those we serve.

Our Mission

Our Mission

To support our local communities and to transform lives through the development of technical, professional and personal knowledge and skills.

Our Values

Our Values

• We are an INCLUSIVE College, welcoming employees and learners of all backgrounds, ages and abilities
• We are COLLABORATIVE, working in partnership internally and externally to achieve shared goals
• We are RESPECTFUL of each other in our words, actions and behaviours
• We are AMBITIOUS for our learners, our staff and our College, always striving for excellence
• We are HONEST and open, and act with integrity in all that we do
• We provide a physically and emotionally SAFE environment,

Over the period of this plan (2024 – 2028) we will strive to provide:

An Outstanding Learner Experience

To ensure an outstanding experience for every learner and stakeholder.
This means providing exciting, challenging and engaging learning, in a safe, supported, respectful and inclusive environment, where learners gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours to succeed and to thrive in work and in life.

A Fantastic Workplace

To provide a fantastic place to work where wellbeing and development is prioritised.
This means that employees are well-managed and led, and feel recognised, supported and positively rewarded. The College is a Learning Organisation which prioritises a culture of individual and team development, teamwork, trust, integrity and inclusivity. Our people feel proud to work at Colchester Institute.

Financial Strength and Physical Resources

To further build the financial strength and physical resources to enable achievement of our goals.
This means that sound financial planning and controls safeguard the College’s future and enable investment in physical and digital resources that support an outstanding learner experience, transform business processes and positively impact the environment.

A Responsive Curriculum

A responsive curriculum, mapped to local and national skills priorities, that meets the skills needs of individuals, organisations, the economy and the environment.
This means that our curriculum fully reflects local and national skills priorities, including green skills and emerging technologies. Both professional and personal skills are prioritised, making Colchester Institute learners great employees, and responsible citizens.

Productive Partnerships

Collaborative, productive partnerships that positively impact the College, its staff and its learners, and enhance our reputation.
This means that employers contribute to the design and delivery of learning and recognise Colchester Institute as vital to their success. Other partnerships, including trade and professional bodies, enhance our ability to deliver on this plan, building our reputation as an essential, anchor institution in North Essex.

Please click the image or link below to view our Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028.

Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028

The Vision and Mission Statements seek to encapsulate the core purposes and aims of the College. The Board recognises its obligations to all those with whom it has dealings: students, employees, local and national employers and industries, suppliers, other educational institutions and the local community. It also recognises that it has accountability to tax payers. Board members are committed to ensuring that they conduct their business in accordance with the highest ethical standards, to this end, every Board member signs a Code of Conduct. This is based upon the seven Principles of Public Service set out in the Nolan Report, these are:

• Selflessness
• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Accountability
• Openness
• Honesty
• Leadership

The Code sets out the ways in which members are expected to deal with their statutory accountability, how they exercise skill, care and due diligence, and the Board’s powers, conflicts of interests, collective responsibility, openness and confidentiality, complaints, attendance and good governance.

We are a College proud to encourage widening participation. We aim to provide a welcoming environment in which all learners are encouraged to realise their full potential; where every individual is valued and offered equal opportunity to progress.

To achieve this the College aims to ensure that all actual or potential learners are treated in an equivalent fashion regardless of age, disability, family responsibility, marital status, race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, trade union activity and any other irrelevant criteria. We seek to promote awareness of equality and diversity throughout the College and embrace diversity in all its aspects.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

OUR POLICY

Colchester Institute believes firmly that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential factors which contribute to the academic and economic strengths of the College and the wellbeing of all students and staff. This policy deals with the promotion of equality of opportunity for all at Colchester Institute College in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

The policy states our intention to treat all members and potential members of the College community with respect and dignity and seek to provide a safe and positive working and learning environment, free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

The College is committed to providing a learning and working environment that values all forms of diversity and seeks to create a culture of conscious inclusion in which issues of racism, stereotyping and discrimination can be discussed openly with a shared commitment to challenging prejudice.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report

This report has been written to allow all of our students and partners to recognise and understand the current position of the College in relation to how our learners achieve and develop regardless of their characteristics. A separate Staff Equality report also outlines the make-up of our staff and the objectives we hold for the future diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment and HR processes. The report constitutes a summary of the College’s approach to meeting the general and specific duties of the Equalities Act 2011. Further details about the action we intend to take can be found in the College’s Strategic Plan 2024-28.

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• Gender Pay Gap Reporting

Gender Identity and Inclusion Statement

At Colchester Institute and University Centre Colchester, in line with our published values, we are dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all. This includes supporting individuals who are exploring or have made changes to their gender identity.

Everyone in our community, whether a student, a member of staff or a visitor – deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard.

In April 2025, the UK Supreme Court clarified the definitions of ‘woman’, ‘man’, and ‘sex’ under the Equality Act 2010. The ruling also restated the legal protections for transgender individuals against discrimination and harassment.

While this offers legal clarity, we understand that it has also raised complex, and at times challenging, questions for members of our community.

Here at Colchester Institute, we are clear that we will uphold the law as required, but always with care, empathy, and a strong commitment to supporting every member of our College and University Centre community. Together, we will continue to build an environment that is respectful, inclusive, and safe for all.

It must also be stated that harassment, discrimination, or bullying – based on gender identity or any other protected characteristic – will never be tolerated at Colchester Institute.

To report inappropriate behaviour, please follow the guidance in our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Sources of support

We know that this may be a time of uncertainty and anxiety for some of you, or those close to you. Talking to someone can be a real source of support, whether that is a friend, tutor, trusted colleague or the Student Services Welfare Team.  The Student Services Welfare Team are available to support all students, whether it be a listening ear or support in connecting with external support services.

Access support at Colchester Institute

• For students you can email sswelfare@colchester.ac.uk; pop in and see us (Ground Floor B Block Colchester Campus or in the Student Hub at the Braintree Campus), call on 01206 712354 or 01206 814194 (Braintree)
• For Staff – access the Employee Assistance Programme –  Spectrum Life

Connecting with support outside of Colchester Institute (staff and students)

• The OUTHOUSE – Local support for all LGBTQ+ individuals
• Mermaids – Support for children and young people, support line and web chat for young people under 20 years old
• The Beaumont Society – National self-help organisation
• FFLAG – National organisation supporting parents, families and their LGBT+ members
• TransActual – UK organisation that aims to share reliable information about trans people’s lives and trans rights in the UK
• LGBT Foundation – Information and support  line
• Stonewall – Information and resources

Association of Colleges Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter

Colchester Institute is proud to have signed up to the Association of Colleges Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter, a national initiative for Further Education (FE) in England.

Governors committed to the Charter and to the statement below at the Board meeting on Friday 28 March 2025, further strengthening our public commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and reflecting our core values.

The full AoC Charter, signed by Alison Andreas, Principal and Chief Executive and Lisa Blake, Chair of Governors can be read below.

Association of College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Colchester Institute Signed Document

What does signing the charter mean for the Colchester Institute community?

In order to embrace the spirit and the letter of the Charter, Colchester Institute has evaluated current performance and practice and has taken feedback, including a comprehensive staff survey.  From that activity, four overarching priorities were identified, with commitment statements for each.  These can be read below:

Colchester Institute and Association of College Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter

Additional Learning Support

Colchester Institute is committed to inclusive learning and widening participation; the college also take its responsibilities under the The Equality Act 2010 very seriously. This means that all applicants and learners who have disabilities and/or learning difficulties are entitled to receive support to enable them to participate as fully as possible in College life and to enable them to complete their programme of study successfully, Additional Learning Support (ALS) will include any activity that provides direct support to individual learners, over and above that which is provided in their standard learning programme and which leads to their Primary Learning Goal.  The need may arise from a learning difficulty or disability or from literacy, numeracy or language support requirements.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Policy Further Education Students

Where do I go to get Additional Learning Support?

If you are an existing or prospective student and you feel you would benefit from ALS then please contact the ALS team who are located in room B63 on the Ground Floor of the Main Building, or by phone on 01206 712703 or 01206 712519. Text phone 07834 339739.

Colchester Institute is a mixed economy college of Further and Higher Education, established by the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The statutory Instrument and Articles of Government sets down the membership, the powers and the responsibilities of the Board of Governors.

Much of the further education work of the College is funded through the Skills Funding Agency and the College is required to abide by the Financial Memorandum and the Audit Code of Practice.

The Colchester Institute Board of Governors is made up of members from a wide range of backgrounds, reflecting the communities the College serves and members elected by the staff and by students. The Principal is the only member who is both a Board member and a member of the executive.

The Board has overall responsibility for the educational character and mission of the College, for the general oversight of its activities and is accountable for the proper use of public funds and for exercising a duty of care for the assets of the College.

The Board of Governors and Colchester Institute are committed to ensuring that there is no discrimination within the College on the grounds of age, disability, family responsibility, marital status, race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, trade union activity, and any other irrelevant criteria.

Visit our governance section for further information

Colchester Institute is committed to safeguarding all of our students and apprentices, all our staff have a responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of our students and apprentices.

We are committed to promoting the welfare, protection, and wellbeing of all of our students at all of our learning locations and safeguarding them from all forms of abuse or harm. We aim to ensure that all learners attending college do so in a safe and secure environment.

We have a trained a safeguarding team available between 8:30am and 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 4:30pm on a Friday, college term time.

The Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 01206 712828 or sswelfare@colchester.ac.uk college term time.

Help and Support

If something happens outside of our office hours or out of term time the following services may be of help for students, apprentices, families, carers and employers.  If you access assistance from any of the services below please ensure the safeguarding team are informed as soon as possible (next working/term time day) so that we can support the student or apprentice when back in College.

• Police – 999 for emergencies or 101 for non-urgent issues
• Samaritans – 116 123
• Childline – 0800 1111
• NSPCC – 0808 8005000
• NHS 111 – 111 for urgent medical help or advice that is not life-threatening
• Children’s Social Services Essex – 0345 603 7627 (emergency duty number 0345 606 1212)
• Adult Social Services Essex – 0345 603 7630 (emergency duty number 0345 606 1212)
• CARA – Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse – 01206 769795 or online www.caraessex.org.uk
• Papyrus – UK Suicide Prevention – HOPELINE UK – 0800 068 41 41 or online www.papyrus-uk.org

Radicalisation

Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. If you are worried that you, or someone close to you, is becoming radicalised act early and seek help.

The College works with the local police prevent team to prevent students and apprentices who may be vulnerable to radicalisation. The College engages with the Department for Education Prevent Co-ordinator, local prevent policing team and the multi agency Channel Panel.

The College fully supports initiatives which prevent people being radicalised. Friends and family can also support our students and apprentices and are best placed to spot the signs of radicalisation, so trust your instincts and share your concerns in confidence. To find out more about how to help someone close to you visit actearly.uk

Peer on Peer Harmful Sexual Behaviour and Sexual Harassment

The College works swiftly to support students who are experiencing any safeguarding concerns.  In response to the increase in cases relating to peer on peer harmful sexual behaviour and sexual harassment being experienced by young people, not just in education but in society, the College has increased its staff training and awareness in this area, follows guidance on how students should be supported and how concerns will be handled. The College has developed a personal development programme which encompasses the opportunity for students to explore this topic in a safe way. We want all of our students to feel safe and encourage any students to come forward with concerns so they can be supported and listened to. The College understands that even if no concerns are reported harmful sexual behaviour and sexual harassment will still happen at our College and between our students. The College works within Government guidance including: Keeping Children Safe in Education and guidance from the local safeguarding board and the Local Authority.

Safeguarding and associated policies

Colchester Institute welcomes the opportunity to forge relationships with the many communities that surround us, and to work collaboratively with our local contacts. These are some of the ways in which Colchester Institute provides community engagement opportunities and works with other organisations, for the benefit of local people and communities:

Colchester Institute Foundation Trust (CIFT) is an independent charity which raises funds to support students who due to financial pressures, might otherwise be at risk of not completing their programme of education. This includes students studying Further Education, Higher Education and Apprenticeships.

The principle purpose of CIFT is to benefit Colchester Institute students who are experiencing financial hardship to the extent that they are struggling to participate at College / University and complete or achieve their qualifications.

Whilst the College has access to Government awarded discretionary Learning Support Funds to provide financial support for students on low incomes, who meet pre-defined eligibility criteria, in the current economic climate there are often cases where an individual student needs more financial help than these funds can provide.  Additionally, some students who do not meet the eligibility criteria for government-funded support, can still struggle to meet the costs associated with studying on vocational programmes and CIFT can often provide support here too.

In most cases students should first approach the College / University Centre Colchester to see if funded support is available to them after which they can then submit an application to CIFT, see application form below,

Colchester Institute Foundation Trust awards can only be considered where a student can demonstrate commitment to their chosen course of study and that the impact of the award could mean the difference between them staying on the course or having to withdraw.

Support for Apprentices

As apprentices are classed as being in full time employment, the College is unable to use government funds to support their expenses, this group of students are often the ones most in need of financial assistance as they, and their families, are unable to claim most state benefits. CIFT actively encourage applications from Apprentices.

Direct Solutions Travel Bursary

As part of the CIFT support for Apprentices there is a discrete bursary set aside for apprentices who would benefit from support with the costs of travelling to work and / or College.

Please apply using the standard application form below and return this form to Student Finance (Student.Finance@colchester.ac.uk).