Reading College

Fantastic experience: Did an NVQ apprenticeship scheme here after finishing school, pretty fortunate to be able to do the course for free as it's school leaving age. I think it you're over 18 you don't get that privellage and have to pay. But in all honesty, this course I did was the best thing that's happened for me! Although silly snott-nose teenage me didn't really think that at the time (because lets face it, whose head is really screwed on straight at that age). It left me with a plethora of life skills and knowledge that I would go on to use later in life and has enabled me to start my own small business thats still going after 3 years! So I am forever grateful for all the tutors here who teached me and helped get me certified. If you dont know what to do when you've finished school, well you can't go wrong and do some kind of trade course here at Reading College. I think they still do plumbing/bricklaying/electrical/car mechanic courses here, I think they even do hairdressing/salon stuff for the ladies out there too... (or is that not PC to say in 2025 anymore? ‍♂️) Point is... There's something for everyone here and you come away with something that can set you up for life! All while not being in silly lifelong university fee debt, because even after you finish your course and if you don't want to set up your own business, there'll always be somewhere/someone that will need your valuable skills/knowledge. Or vice versa, if nobody wants to hire, set up a small business afterwards and apply yourself! In my opinion, they should bring these kind of classes into secondary schools so those who aren't quite academics for GCSEs can at least come away with some kind of a trade skill before it's too late! But of course thats obviously down to our useless government to sort that problem out. Would give 10 stars if i could, would highly recommend this as an option if you're stuck for ideas about what to do after school ends!

Negative experience: I had a terrible time here a long while ago. I was seen as naughty and attention seeking. I was actually late being diagnosed with Autism so I was seen as that. Staff are horrendous when dealing with bullying. Nothing is done about it. Student safety is not taken into regard. I left the college one day with a friend and we were harassed by two students. One was foreign and one wasn't. STAY AWAY. THEY SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN!!!

Negative experience: Definitely wouldn't recommend it. If you can go else where. Totally unorganised. They mess the kids about with timetables. Teachers are either not there or go home early. My grandaughter had an anxiety attack on her first day back and all her tutor said was go and get an apprenticeship somewhere. She is now refusing to return and quite frankly I don't blame her. I requested a call to talk about it from her tutor miss pye and the alternatives but as I thought never heard from anyone.

Positive experience: All facilities are good, well maintenance.

Positive experience: All facilities are good, well maintenance.