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About Us

Suffolk New College (SNC) is based in Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, near the thriving waterfront and town centre. The college also has the Suffolk Rural Campus at Otley, and the ‘On the Coast’ provision with centres in Halesworth and Leiston.

A photo of the Ipswich campus.

Our Offer

In the last academic year (2022/23), there were over 5000 learners, comprising of young people and adults studying on full-time and part-time programmes, apprentices, and Higher Education students.

The College focuses upon providing an ‘Outstanding Learner Experience’ with a commitment to ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to broaden their horizons, aim high and achieve. The ambitious curriculum not only meets the needs of learners, but also supports employers and the wider community. The offer is also a broad and varied one, with provision across fourteen different subject sector areas, providing an extensive range of learning, and supporting workforce needs across each of these sectors. The curriculum offer includes programmes of study in Health, Public Services and Care; Science and Mathematics; Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care; Engineering and Manufacturing Technology; Construction and Planning; Information and Communication Technology; Retail and Commercial Enterprise; Leisure, Travel and Tourism; Arts, Media and Publishing; Social Sciences; Languages, Literature and Culture; Education and Training; Preparation for Life and Work; and Business Administration.

Our civic and community partnerships give learners the chance to gain expert advice during their programmes. Learners also have access to a vast array of local employers, who provide invaluable opportunities to carry out work placements, where they are able to develop their skills to help progression into employment.

Learners benefit from exceptional experiences as part of their programmes. Performing Arts learners have showcased their talents in a brand new play at the prestigious National Theatre recently, Sport students have trained with former professional footballers, T Level students have visited Westminster to discuss their qualifications with Ministers, Media students were extras in a Hollywood film and Catering students have worked with a number of Michelin Star chefs.

There have also been local and national successes. Our amazing former ESOL learner, Kindi Bah, was shortlisted as a finalist for the Association of Colleges (AoC) Young Student of the Year Award for 2023. The college has also recently been shortlisted as an AoC Beacon Awards finalist for the Inenco Award for Education for Sustainable Development. Our fantastic Floristry adult learner, Emily Robbins, is the inaugural LANTRA Floristry Student of the Year, and recently, George Page, a Carpentry and Joinery learner, came a highly respectable third place in the National Skills Build Final 2023. Suffolk. The college is extremely proud to be the current Further or Higher Education Provider of the Year, which was announced at the inaugural Suffolk Education Awards in November 2023.

Suffolk New College was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in November 2022, with ‘Outstanding’ Personal Development.

Colleagues at Suffolk New College are proud to ‘BeSNC’ and display the core values of the organisation through their daily practice:

 

  • Respectful and considerate
  • Positive and proactive
  • Passionate and creative
  • Enthusiastic and engaged
  • Empowered to succeed
  • Dedicated and motivated
  • Professional and trustworthy
  • Aspirational and ambitious
  • Persistent and resilient
  • Fair and inclusive
  • Inquisitive and curious
  • Empathetic and tolerant
  • Responsible and committed

As an organisation that is proud to be at the heart of the communities we serve with a fully inclusive offer, there really is a programme for everyone at Suffolk New College. What are you waiting for – apply today!

Impact Review

We are proud to present our impact review document for 2022-23.

We are a forward-looking, growth-orientated College closely focussed on the needs of local learners and local employers.

Impact Review Front Cover

Strategic Plan

The 2022 – 2027 Strategic Plan for Suffolk New College has been developed in consultation with stakeholders, staff and customers.

The Plan outlines the College’s ambitious goals for the next five years.

Feel free to browse through our Strategic Plan.

A graphic showing the College strategic plan

Key Facts 23/24

Location: Suffolk New College is based in Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, near the thriving waterfront and town centre.

The College also has campuses at Otley (Suffolk Rural), in Leiston & Halesworth (Suffolk New College On The Coast), and the newly acquired site in Halesworth.

 

Student Numbers:

Full Time: 2929

Part Time: 1207

Apprenticeships: 698

Leisure Learning: 331

Distance Learning: 103

HE: 33

Total 5301

A learner smiling at the camera at a college showcase event.

Work with us

Suffolk New College is a fantastic place to work, to learn, to have fun and to progress your career. We have a great community spirit and have developed cultural values which define the way we work and the environment we choose to work in.

Public facilities

Suffolk New College has a number of areas throughout the College available for hire. These include Classrooms, IT Rooms, Specialised Workshops, Chefs’ Whites Restaurant, the Atrium, Boardrooms & Ivan Howlett Film Theatre.