Richmond Adult Community College

We are a further education college for adults, with over 7000 learners. Located two minutes from Richmond station, we are within easy reach of London to suit learners travelling across the city. As well as over 1900 courses, we host an exciting events calendar featuring concerts, drama, lectures, workshops, displays and fairs throughout the year. In 2015-16, RACC was the top college in the country for learner satisfaction in the FE Choices survey. RACC is dedicated to providing the resources that enable adults to unlock their talent and fulfil their potential through learning, skills and enterprise. As part of this mission, we are committed to six fundamental principles: To provide further education to develop pathways needed to progress to higher education To provide adult learning to stimulate self-fulfilment and personal development To provide basic skills and pre-vocational training to aid in gaining employment To develop workplace-based, vocational training for those seeking to upgrade their qualifications or who require training to help them change their career path or become self-employed. <br><br>To provide outreach programmes enabling progression to community life and/or employment To develop work and life skills training for adults with learning disabilities Our courses range in level from basic skills through to postgraduate. Our friendly, welcoming campus is a relaxed learning environment, with a café area open to the community. The College is vigilant in ensuring that it is a safe and secure environment for learning. We have updated our facilities to ensure they are flexible and accessible.  The new facilities allow the College to provide opportunities for learners with low skills and in particular for learners with learning difficulties or with disabilities. This includes our new accessible teaching kitchen and bathroom facilities. The key to RACC’s recent growth and success has been its ability to adapt to the challenges of constantly changing social and economic trends, as well as responding to major changes in Government Policy on adult funding. As a result, its success rates are in the top 20% for FE colleges nationally and it was rated as a Grade 2 college in its Ofsted inspection (May 2015). Green Credentials: RACC actively promotes sustainability and eco-friendly practices and has worked with the Carbon Trust to reduce its carbon footprint.  The heating systems have been updated at the Parkshot site and the new build will achieve BREEAM Excellent rating and will incorporate recycling and sustainable energy strategies. The College was featured as a green transport user by the Association of Colleges with the use of its SMART cars to visit employers’ premises as part of its drive to reduce private car usage.  RACC also promotes the use of bicycles for staff and is currently working on a policy to further reduce travel to work by car.