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Coventre G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 3

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developed into a nine storey Introduction tower block with over 550 My name is Carol Bloxham flats and a range of cafes, and I started attending IT bars and restaurants. Part courses for blind people at of the site is also going to City College Coventry in become home to the Quality February 2003. I enjoyed & Curriculum Agency, who it so much that I have are moving their continued, it is now 2008. headquarters from London. The only thing to remain Contents The courses started in from the college is the 1999/2000 with four students theatre, which will have a Ye Olde Cofantree 03 at the Resource Centre in complete revamp by the Earlsdon and moved to the developers. The new City Butts in 2002 for technical College will be situated in Coventry in the reasons. Now there are the Hillfields area of the city Middle Ages 04 four classes per week with within the Swanswell approximately 30 students. Learning Quarter and is Coventry’s Royal The courses are for blind being built in two phases. Connections 05 and partially sighted people, Phase one is already in use and Phase two is due for from beginners who have Coventry’s Coat completion by the end never used a computer of Arms 06 before to people wanting of 2008. to gain a further IT While I was researching the Early Education in qualification. The class is for Coventry 07 all ages and we use various history of the college I came software packages such as across some very interesting The Origins of Jaws which is a speech facts about Coventry and the College 08 package and Supernova decided to include them as which is a magnification well, because this will then package. This software show how the early stages of A Study in Time 08 enables us to do things we education in Coventry came never dreamed of doing into being and resulted in The Birth of the before, such as sending the system we have today. Butts College 11 Emails, internet browsing and word processing. During my research I Recollections of my Everyone in these classes realised that the address Time at the Junior needs a support worker on of the new college building Technical School 15 a one to one basis to be is 50 Swanswell Street, which is rather a strange their eyes when we or Apprenticeship coincidence as my mother the computers go wrong, Courses 19 which can be quite often! grew up at this address after the First World War. My support worker is The College 2008 21 Claire Hodge. I would like to take this The Theatre 23 It was suggested by a opportunity to say a very big thank you to all the staff at My thanks to Carol Bloxham, who with the help of Claire Hodge member of staff that I tried my hand at writing a history the City College Coventry Last Year at has compiled this brief history of Coventry with particular for their help and support the Butts 24 reference to City College Coventry. of this college, in its final year as it will be closing in during this project. Paul Taylor, Principal December 2008 and will be Acknowledgements 26 G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 5

03 04 Key to Map: 1. St Michael’s Church 2. Holy Trinity Church Ye Olde Cofantree 3. St Mary’s Hall 5. Greyfriar’s Spire

It is widely of ‘Lady’ however she was From the early 12th century a city and in 1348 John referred to by many as Coventry in Coventry was divided into Ward was duly elected as thought that the ‘Countess’. Even before two halves; the northern half the city’s first Mayor. name Coventry marrying Leofric, Godgifu the Middle was controlled by the Prior The Charter effectively was a woman of high status Ages and the southern half was excluded the Prior from any was derived and owned much land. controlled by the Earl of involvement with the more from a great Leofric was one of the three Chester. From 1265 the Prior powerful Earl’s half of the tree known most powerful men in the At the time of the Domesday slowly lost his power and city and in 1355 the Prior country, reporting directly to Book in 1086 Coventry had rented his half of the town gave up all his claims on it. as “Cofa’s tree” King Cnut. King Cnut was a population of about 350. to the Earl. which was within one of the most famous of Lady Godgifu of course is The Domesday Book was Coventry’s central location the Anglo Saxon English kings although he remembered these days for commissioned in December In the Middle Ages Coventry favoured its growth and the was not English and was her naked ride through the 1085 by William the became famous for its River Sherbourne provided settlement of probably the most powerful town on horseback, which Conqueror and the first weaving and dyeing industry water supplies and power Barrs Hill. king ever to rule over Anglo- was allegedly in an attempt draft was completed in (which is where we got the for the mills. In 1329 Saxon England. His name to persuade her husband to August 1086. Coventry sky blue colour Coventry became so rich has been incorrectly spelt for lower taxes. This story has from). There were many that it was felt it was worth Cofa was a Saxon magnate generations (Canute) and of spanned many centuries At this time Coventry had workers in the cloth trade, protecting with a wall and and trees were often used as course he is best known for but it is unlikely that it ever a castle which was built in drapers, fullers, dyers and money to pay for it was meeting places. The name sitting on his throne on the happened at all. Coventry at the 11th century by Ranulf weavers. There were also raised by “murage” which was spelt in many different seashore and ordering the that time was a small hamlet Meschines, Earl of Chester. many other craftsmen such was a tax on goods coming ways during the first few tide not to come in (but of so it would have been a very It is believed that it stood as millers, bakers, butchers, into the city. The building of centuries but the most course it did not obey him!). short ride and it was not where the Cathedral blacksmiths, carpenters, the wall began in 1355 and common spelling used written about until over Lanes shopping centre coopers, cutlers and was finally completed in until 400 years ago was Leofric died in 1057 and 100 years later by Roger is now situated. goldsmiths. In 1340 the 1534. At this time it was 2 “Coventre” before evolving when Godgifu died ten years of Wendover, a man not merchants of Coventry were miles long, 8 feet thick, over into what we know it later, she was the most known for his accurate The castle was razed to the formed into a guild, which 12 feet high and had 20 as today. powerful lady landowner in recording of historical ground in the 12th century looked after their interests. towers and 12 gates. It was England. Leofric was buried events. And the story of and then rebuilt again, the A meeting hall, St Mary’s the most substantial town In 1043 Coventry was a with great ceremony in one Peeping Tom the boy who castle then fell into disrepair. Hall, was built for the guild. defence outside London. scattered settlement when of the porches of the Abbey stole a peep at Lady Godgifu It is rumoured that the This beautiful building It took 179 years to build Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and church and many believe did not emerge until several crumbling hulk of the castle survived the blitz and is still and it only stood for 128 his wife, Godgifu, founded a that Godgifu was buried years after her death. was used as a quarry for used today for special years before King Charles II Benedictine monastery for there too, although there is However the stories remain stone to build other town functions. in 1662 ordered it to be an abbot and 24 monks. no evidence of this and it part of the city’s legend and structures and the city wall. demolished leaving only the The early development of is actually recorded that a Godiva procession is still Coventry was granted gates and part of the wall Coventry owed much to her final resting place held each year. Visitors to Archaeologists have found a Royal “Charter of intact. Some of the wall can this famous couple. Godgifu was Evesham Abbey. Coventry are directed to the the defensive ditch to the Incorporation” in 1345 by still be seen today. (pronounced Godgivu) statue of Lady Godiva on castle. This is referred to King Edward III. This meant meaning ‘God’s gift’ was a horseback and the Peeping as the Red Ditch which that Coventry could now popular name at that time. Tom mechanical clock both probably gets its name from have its own council and Today she is remembered as situated in Broadgate. the red sandstone used to elect its own mayor. Lady Godiva, although she build the walls. Coventry was now officially never held the official title G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 7

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A plaque located on the The ogee-headed doorway Some have said that the Coventry’s outside of the manor states: (still in place today) is an castle relates to the wall that original entrance into the surrounded the city but early Royal ‘A manor house at Manor House from the seals with both elephant and Connections Cheylesmore was first Greyfriars monastery of castle predate the wall. The mentioned in the year 1250. which only the church coat of arms also contains Queen Isabella was In 1320 it passed to Queen steeple still stands. The open the crest known as ‘Cat-a- considered by many Isabella. In 1385 the Royal timber roofs had scarcely mountain’ which was the as a champion for Manor was enclosed within been altered since they emblem carried by the Black Coventry. She the city walls. In the 16th were built and enough Prince on his helmet. The suffered greatly at Century John Leland, the of the original framework motto beneath the arms Original route the hands of her husband, King’s Antiquarian, wrote had survived to assure ‘Camera Pricipis’ means of wall Edward II, who showered his “the King has a Palace at authentic restoration.’ “The Prince’s Chamber”. Final route--- of wall... attention and her jewellery Coventry now somewhat City wall on his homosexual lover, in ruin”. Queen In 1959 the coat of arms was remains ... Piers Galveston, while totally Isabella’s enhanced by two supporters: This map shows the route of the City wall neglecting Isabella. She fled In 1661 its other buildings grandson, the Black Eagle of Leofric to France where her brother, were repaired by Sir Robert Edward, was on the left and the Phoenix Broadgate is named after the The two surviving gates Charles, was King and it was Townsend. In 1738 a weaver known during on the right representing the gate at the entrance of the Swanswell Gate and there that she met her lover asked permission to make a his lifetime as Edward of ancient town and Coventry’s castle. The only part of the Cook Street Gate Roger Mortimer. With his tenement of one of them. Woodstock. In 1337 he rise from the ashes after old castle which remains help they invaded England became the first Duke of the blitz. today is called Caesar’s and forced her husband to In 1955 most of the south Cornwall then in 1343 he Tower and it is part of St abdicate in favour of his wing which had become a became the Prince of Wales. Mary’s Guildhall. eldest son, Edward III. range of industrial top-shops He never became King, as was demolished. In 1965 he died a year before his There were 12 gates dotted As Edward III was only 14 Coventry Corporation father, Edward III. It was around the walls of the at the time, Isabella and undertook restoration of the only after his death that he town namely New Gate, Mortimer ruled as regents gatehouse and the surviving was known as the Black Hill Gate, Little Park Gate, until 1330 when she had bays of the north and Prince, which probably Coventry’s other claim to Cheylesmore Gate, Well her husband, Edward II, south wings. referred to the black armour fame arising from royal Street Gate, Gosford Gate, murdered. Edward III also he wore. Edward used connections is encapsulated Bishop Street Gate, Spon turned 18 in this year and The work completed in 1968 Cheylesmore Manor as his in the expression “sent to Gate, Swanswell Gate, Cook was able to rule in his own revealed important historical hunting lodge and reputedly Coventry” which means Street Gate, Greyfriars Gate right. He staged a coup and features for example the visited the area frequently. to be completely ignored by Part of the city wall as seen took Isabella and Mortimer everyone. The most popular and Bastille Gate (later from Lady Herbert’s Gardens south wing probably belongs known as Mill Lane Gate). prisoner. Mortimer was to the original manor house believed reason of how this This gate stood in what is executed for treason and of the 13th Century. saying came about is that now Cox Street and is Isabella was banished by her during the Civil War Oliver positioned under the sports son to her estate at Castle Cromwell sent many Royalist Coventry’s prisoners to the city and centre. The wall adjacent to Rising in Norfolk. At this time The manor is now a grade this gate suffered from water she also inherited the manor II listed building and home Coat of whilst they were exercising penetration problems in the and manor house of to the Registry Office in the streets, it was said for births, deaths that they were completely 16th century resulting from St Mary’s Caesar’s Tower Cheylesmore from Robert Arms the proximity of the nearby and Emma Montalt, and she and marriages ostracised by the strong pool in what is now Pool took up residence there. She It is believed that the parliamentarian folk of Meadow. Today there are remained powerful and was elephant on the coat of Coventry. Therefore legend only two surviving gates: responsible for The Royal arms stood for strength, has it that people shunned in Swanswell Gate and Cook Charter of 1345 mentioned redemption and protection that way were said to have Street Gate. previously, which was the and the ability to slay been “sent to Coventry” first of its kind in England. dragons. where nobody talks to you. G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 9

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Early Education in Coventry The Origins A Study in Time of the College The Technical Institute ran classes in science, textiles, shorthand, typewriting, The College can trace modern languages and horology. Until the 19th century the mistake himself but to In 1885 the school moved to Horology was an important subject education was not give to the needy. At this its present site at Warwick its origins back to 1828 because of Coventry’s history of watch compulsory and only the time the school committed Road. when the Mechanics making which started in the city in wealthy could afford to pay itself to giving free board, Institution was founded 1720. By the 1840’s it was one of the the fees where educational clothing and education to The earliest elementary main watch making centres in England facilities existed. In 1303 the poor boys who were to schools in Coventry were in the city. This was and for a short time it was Coventry’s monks at the priory started a become apprentices. charitable foundations, initially located in a principle source of employment. Most school for poor children and Bablake moved to its present founded from the end of the watch makers worked from home with they also maintained a location in Coundon Road 17th century onwards. For house, at 69 Hertford their workshops at the back or on the public grammar school. in 1890. girls these were the Blue Street, (which now top floor of the house. These were A typical school day ran Coat School, Southern & houses the Yorkshire known as “top shops” and can still be from 6am to 5pm with brief Craner’s and the Freemen’s seen to this day in and around the holidays. The main subjects Orphan School. Baker, Building Society) with streets of Coventry. were music and the classics. Billing & Crow’s, Katherine a library, reading room, Bayley’s and Fairfax School The old Bablake School in were for boys. A growing lectures and classes. Hill Street was founded in interest in education in the 1560, but the educational late 18th century gave rise to In 1855 the Mechanics Institution was institution possibly originates the movement to provide reformed as the Coventry Institute. from 1344 when the Bablake Sunday schools for poor Its programme included courses in lands were granted by children. In 1785 several inorganic chemistry, electricity, French, Queen Isabella for the schools were opened in German, agriculture, geometry, animal building of the original St Free Grammar School rented rooms. After some physiology, building construction, John’s (or Bablake) Church. years the various hygiene, botany, advanced arithmetic King Henry VIII School was congregations undertook the and shorthand. Much of the Institute’s It is thought that the school founded on 23rd July 1545 provision of the schools and other work was to give an elementary was suppressed under the by John Hales as the Free new buildings, the first of education to adults who had missed Watchmakers’ houses Holyhead Road Chantries Act in 1548 and it Grammar School. For over which was the Hill Street out on schooling. was reopened by the city in 300 years it was situated in School built in 1799 by West Courses in horology were offered at 1560 with 41 boys in the former Hospital of St Orchard Congregational the Technical Institute under local attendance. The school was John the Baptist, which was Chapel. In 1838 there were watchmakers such as Player, mostly dependent on founded in 1155 by 15 Sunday schools in Rotherham, Bonniksen and Fridlander. charitable gifts until 1563 Laurence, Prior of Coventry, Coventry with a total These courses included history, theory, when Thomas Wheatley for the poor and infirm attendance of more than geometry and technical drawing in endowed it with much of his people of the city. At 3,500. By 1900 Bablake had addition to the usual practical work. estate. It is rumoured that the dissolution of the absorbed Fairfax, Bayley’s, This was an attempt to broaden the Thomas Wheatley had monasteries the crown Baker, and Billing and knowledge of students who wished to ordered some steel wedges granted the property to Crow’s schools. study the subject. from Spain but he received John Hales. This building by mistake in their place a still stands on the corner chest of silver ingots. Being of Bishop Street and Hale an honourable man and Street. It is such a shame unable to discover to whom that Coventry people have this cargo rightly belonged, let this beautiful old building he decided not to profit from fall into a derelict state. Watch making Rotherham’s 1910 G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 11

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Silk weaving was another In the 1880’s Local industry was of the main industries in responsible for supplying the Coventry at the beginning of Coventry major equipment needed for the 19th century. It was the experienced these courses, often free of Huguenot refugees, fleeing charge, and The American from persecution in France, enormous Writing Machine Company who brought the art of industrial loaned typewriters to the Jacquard weaving to the changes with commercial department city. At this time weaving, until 1893. like watch making was new engineering carried out in top shops and products of At this time the institute had they were paid a fixed price proved so successful that an for the finished article. They cycles, motor additional block of buildings, were known as outworkers. vehicles and including a large lecture machine tools. theatre, was built at a cost of £5,000. In 1896 Mr J Hope Belcher was appointed as Leaving certificate woven in silk in the Textiles Department Circa 1900 James Starley produced the Principal and he continued first ‘bone-shaker’ in 1868 until 1918. He was paid £250 and built an electric car per year. One of the first in 1890. In 1896 the first things he had to do was motorcar was produced in make cuts because of the the city, manufactured by shortage of money and Daimler Motor Syndicate space. He did this by which eventually developed combining and closing into Jaguar. Triumph classes. motorcycles started manufacturing in 1902 and Courtaulds textiles were In the early 1840’s John formed in Foleshill in 1904. and Joseph Cash, sons of As the engineering a Quaker merchant set up a technology became more silk ribbon business which complex the construction of operated on the outworker machine tools became more system. By 1846, J&J Cash specialised and a trained had become so successful workforce was needed. that the brothers built their first factory, supplied largely In response a new Technical with Jacquard looms Institute was opened in 1888 powered by steam and by in an old textile warehouse 1856, 200 weavers were in Earl Street, which David employed in this factory. Spencer had dedicated to Textile Workshop J&J Cash became some of the City Council on the the first pioneers of a more condition that it should be enlightened approach to used for technical schools employment, encouraging and a school of science. employees out of their Courses at this time included homes and into a central textiles, horology, modern place of work. languages, shorthand, typewriting and science. A page from theissue 1891 in prospectus the College’s – the possession earliest G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 13

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In 1926 the Institute qualified trades: bricklayers George The Birth of the Butts College as a Technical College Monday and Walter Sproon, and changed its name apprentice bricklayer Harry accordingly, free from fees Roberts and labourer Harry. for children aged 5-11 and This time capsule was a senior school for over 11 discovered when work was year olds. At this time people carried out to renew the wanted to take up more steps in 1995. training to get better jobs and Coventry led the On the 10th of July 1934, country in day release HRH the Prince of Wales, apprenticeships with 500 made a tour of inspection The photo shows the Duke arriving at the Butts Stadium registered in 1931. At this of the building while it was time the Institute was under construction and providing courses for every a bronze tablet level up to final honours commemorating this degree. visit and another commemorating the There was a delay opening by the Duke of of 14 years before York the following year are situated in the The Institute’s Earl Street The outbreak of the First involved using mounds of work began on main entrance. buildings had been World War the next year earth known as butts. The the building of the unsuitable for many years so prevented any further butts comprised a level flat The new building was in the early 1900’s, plans progress. When the War area of land, up to 200 new college in opened on 10th December were drawn up for flattening ended in 1918 there were metres long, forming a range August 1933, 1935 by the then Duke the building and replacing 937 students enrolled at the along which the archers when the City of York who later became it on the same site, but this college and it was decided could shoot. Originally they George VI. Thousands of was too expensive. Various that the site was now too would contain a number of Council agreed people turned out to greet other city centre sites small. In 1919 a Junior circular flat-topped, turf- to build the new the Duke and Duchess as were considered and Pool Technical School was also covered target mounds, college with a they arrived at Coventry Meadow was decided founded and moved into often arranged in pairs. Station and then made their upon because of its rooms in the Institute and The mounds provided a loan of £142,228. way via the Council House central location. there were 80 apprentices level platform for the targets to the Technical College. taking part time day courses. and were usually positioned During the construction the During his opening speech The design of the The apprenticeship scheme at one or either end of the workmen decided to include the Duke said “After visiting could be undertaken by range. Edward IV passed a time capsule in the form of some of the less fortunate Here we can see men working on the inside of the building new building was boys who were not a law in 1477 making it a message in a bottle, which towns, it is very cheering decided by academic enough for a compulsory for all males they buried underneath the to be here in the midst of competition in National Diploma. In this to own a longbow and to front steps. This message manufacturing activity year the city council practice on Sunday included their names and and development”. 1913 and this acquired three acres of land after church. design above by at the corner of Albany Aerial view of the college under construction Road and the Butts, as a site The photo shows men constructing Mr A.W. Hoare for the new building. The the archery butts (LRIBA) was name ‘butts’ comes from when the land was used by selected. Engineering Gymnasium archers for practice and workshops under (now construction demolished) G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 15

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When classes began The Second World War soon college, which for a while intervened and in 1939 became the largest at the new college in trenches were dug on the dormitory in the city. September 1935 Butts sports ground and staff A number of bombs were began fitting blackouts to dropped on the building but Mr. D R MacLachlan windows. Some staff were it escaped with remarkably was principal and there lost to the War effort but the little damage. Also during were 3,332 students college began to run special the war the college classes for the armed forces was presented with an enrolled as well as 1,400 on radar and vehicle observatory by Captain students under 16 years electrical equipment and Smith-Clarke, which is still gave instruction to copper in situ on the roof of the of age in attendance at smiths and other tradesmen. building. It is accepted that the Junior Evening Courses were also run in astronomy classes were Schools taking such subjects as fuel held at the college but efficiency, economical bread unfortunately there are preparatory courses production and the making no records of these. leading to the Technical of war-time gym shoes. College courses. In 1936 Another thing the college The 1944 Education Act lost to the War effort was meant a lot of reorganisation Mr J Wilson became its £600 iron railings which for the College. Its function principal and he were sacrificed to the of educating children was Adverts from the Souvenir Programme December 1935 nation’s need for scrap iron gradually separated from continued until 1947. for just £30. Staff and its work with adults. At the students made gauges for same time a College of Art Bofor guns and welded parts Technology and General Two of the carved plaques for electrical equipment for Education, later to become over the main entrance the General Electric Lanchester College (which is of the Butts building, Company Limited. During now Coventry University) symbolising (left) Precision in the War years and through was started in the same the machine-tool and chain industries and (right) speed all the bombing, the college building. There was very in the air and on land never closed. At first, staff little space with children’s and students went to the education, adult courses shelters when they heard air and the council’s Head raid warnings but this was Horse Keeper all in the same time wasting so it was made building until 1956 (because optional and most people the Lord Mayor’s horse was worked through the alerts. stabled here). The children’s Army field kitchens were education courses moved placed on the roof of the from the college to building for emergency Woodlands School. feeding and some of the staff This led to some apprentices became temporary cooks doing evening classes. serving more than 1,000 On completion of their lunches a day. courses some apprentices went to work at Humber The opening ceremony took place at The Duke was presented with this Lord Mayor, Charles Payne, How the entrance to the college After the heavy bombing of and Standard Triumph the Butts Stadium key, which was decorated with the greeting the Duke of York on the looked in 1935 Coventry in November 1940 car factories. City’s coat of arms steps at the front of the College hundreds of homeless citizens were housed in the G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 17

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Recollections of my Time at Getting into trouble The basic grounding in technical studies given to me the Junior Technical School My final recollection of JTS at JTS, coupled with my five The following information was given by Norman Rose is not so pleasant. Around year apprenticeship set me the back of the college by up for a career in the car R N Rose home on our bicycles which From this I achieved a six the workshop block was a body design industry which January 1940 – roads would be passable. month, pre-RAF entry, short blind corner which often culminated with the position December 1941 Our form started in January course at Oxford University, contained a large puddle. of Chief Engineer, Body 1940 with 26 pupils and having been accepted for A practical joke was often Exterior Trim and Hardware Getting in finished with 18 pupils – aircrew training. A major played here, by lobbing a at the Rover Company. mainly due to boys being problem for me was stone over the wall into the I sat the entrance evacuated to safer locations. adjusting to metric units puddle as someone was examination for Junior from imperial! passing by. On virtually our Technical School (JTS) Getting on last day at JTS, someone whilst evacuated from Folly was hit by a stone. Our form Lane School to Binley. Folly My recollections are was held to blame as we Lane School was considered of concentrated study passed that way between too close both to the of English, History and lessons. ‘Knocker’ West, the Humber Hillman factory Geography taught by head, said we would all be and the local trainline – Mr Nason. Maths, Metalwork caned unless the culprit both perceived as and Woodwork taught by owed up. No-one did, so we bombing targets. Mr Gough. Engineering all had to parade outside his drawing, Mechanics, Physics, office on the first floor to Once I had passed the Chemistry and German receive one stroke on each entrance examination, taught by Mr Dean. During hand! Mostly, we were much my father had to sign a our practical metal work more concerned about what declaration undertaking periods we undertook ‘war future employers would to ensure my regular work’. Before we could get make of the record of attendance for two years, started we sometimes had to corporal punishment on followed by entrance into hammer down the wood our final term report. the engineering trade. block flooring in the workshop. The blast from Getting out Getting there nearby bombs travelled through the service channels I was accepted as an Up until September 1940 and lifted up whole sections indentured apprentice (the period known as the of the blocks. We weren’t at Humber Hillman as a Phoney War), the only told what the parts we were coachwork draughtsman. interruptions to study were turning were going to be I subsequently achieved my the occasional ‘hit and run’ used for, but felt a great Ordinary National Certificate daylight bombings. These pride in contributing to (ONC) and Higher National sent us off to spend time in the war effort. Certificate (HNC) through the air raid shelters – time part time release, and much mainly spent playing Some of us joined 91 later various endorsements. ‘battleships’! But once night Squadron of the Air Training I was staggered 20 years raids started in September Corps based at King Henry after leaving JTS to receive 1940, the main problem was VIII Grammar School. a letter from Mr West Recollection of my time at JTS by R N Rose actually getting to the Tech. congratulating me on these Bomb damage and achievements and saying he unexploded bombs meant was adding the information we never knew when we left to my record. G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:11 Page 19

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Form Report Letter from Woodlands School

Leaving Certificate G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:12 Page 21

19 20 Apprenticeship Courses I have also In 1961 as a result of a In 1970 the Coventry School white paper the College of Music became part of the been given of Technology opened and Technical College. the following moved to new premises as Uncertainties in the the Lanchester College of engineering industry meant information by Technology, named after that there were fewer members of The the engineer and car students in the technical manufacturer Frederick W subjects and this allowed City of Coventry Lanchester. The Technology more development of home Male Voice Choir, College stayed at the Butts economics, craft and art who served their with 12,000 students classes. In 1985 the Maxwell under its new Principal, Centre was custom built in apprenticeships at Mr R A Arculus. Upper York Street to house the Butts during the Technical College’s The 1960’s brought a new construction courses and the 1940’s ‘50’s diversification of subjects to was named after the former and ‘60’s. the Technical College, as Lord Mayor, the late Charles new industries and Maxwell. The three colleges Peter Corne 1944-1946 technologies were appearing remained part of the Local Junior Technical course almost overnight and the Education Authority until from the age of 13 to 16 college had to move with incorporation in 1993. years then he was an the times. New courses were apprentice in Metallurgy. devised and a lot of money During the 1990’s the John Frizzwell 1946-1948 was spent on equipment for colleges faced financial General Education mechanical engineering pressures and these were Brian Stamper 1951-1955 courses and the college most acute at the Technical Pattern shop and Foundry established a reputation as a College. In 1991 it came to Richard Barnet 1955-1961 centre for technician light that the college had lost Ordinance Surveyor education. It became clear somewhere in the region of Brian Todd 1956-1962 that there was too much £3 million in its accounts. Electrician work for the college and that This was probably due to the Nigel Ward 1959-1968 with the expansion of the huge task of adapting to new Engineer city’s population it was not funding arrangements when convenient for those living the colleges were taken out Apprenticeship courses are on the edges of the city. of local authority control. As still being run at the college There were now more than a result of this, the Principal, today and there are over 14,000 students, of whom Mr John Temple, who had 600 apprentices at the 6,000 were attending day been in office since 1984, college studying in release courses supported by resigned along with a construction, hairdressing, about 600 firms. Plans were number of the senior plumbing, engineering and made to build other colleges management team. In 1991 accounting. The Pattern and in 1964 Henley College Janey Rees was appointed shop course, mentioned in Bell Green, which Principal and she remained above, was the only one of specialised in catering in office until 1996. From its kind in the country which opened and Tile Hill 1996 to 2000 Roger Deats was run up until July 2007 College, which specialised in was Principal and Tony and so students came from motor vehicle engineering Holyhead took over for all over the UK. opened in 1969. one year until 2001 when Paul Taylor, who was Principal at Tile Hill College, replaced him. G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:12 Page 23

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As part of the planning for the merger it Today the college caters for Immigrants and refugees Skills for Life qualifications in The College 2008 was realised that retaining three separate a wide range of students and have always played a large the workplace are provided sites with approximately 35% over offers a huge variety of part in shaping Coventry’s for a number of city based By 2000/01 it became capacity would lead to City College going courses from tailor-made history, culture and industry, employers including Walkers bankrupt within 10 years. So it was management and from the Huguenots fleeing Snack Foods, Remploy, clear that the most decided that a single site and a smaller professional development from persecution in France Palmer and Harvey and productive and efficient college was essential. After five years to horticulture and lifestyle in the 17th century to the Travel Coventry. of planning and 18 months of construction courses, through to art, Polish prisoners of war who route for the Technical phase one of the new college at the drama and English for settled here after the Second College to take would be Swanswell Learning Quarter opened in speakers of other languages World War. to merge with Tile Hill September 2007, housing the courses (ESOL) courses. The ESOL previously run at Tile Hill and the courses cater for Coventry’s The college continues to College. This merger Maxwell Centre. large and eclectic have very strong links with took place in February community of immigrants, employers across the various 2002 and City College The remainder of the courses will refugees and asylum seekers courses. In Vehicle and continue at the Butts centre until phase who help shape the General Engineering there Coventry was born. two is ready in December 2008 when the community and bring many are the likes of Jaguar, Land Paul Taylor remained move to Swanswell will be completed. skills to industries lacking Rover, Aston Martin, BMW During the construction of phase one in a skilled and willing and Arriva. It also has as Principal and is still 300,000 concrete blocks and 112,500 workforce. These courses strong employer links with in office today. bricks were used and 155km of data teach them the essential companies in the Business cabling was installed which if laid end to language and social skills and Management, Health end would stretch from Coventry to needed to integrate within Care and Early Years, Music London. The cost of the new building at the community. and Media and Hair and £50M, will make it one of the largest ever Beauty fields. capital projects in the further education sector and it is at the leading edge of the biggest urban regeneration in Coventry since the end of the war.

Today there are over 13,000 students attending City College, following a total of 26,748 qualifications. 55% of these students are male and 45% female. Their ages range from 11 to 93! The college employs 932 staff with an equal split between full and part-time members. 349 of these are support staff and 583 are employed in teaching roles.

As well as the three main sites the college also runs courses at outreach centres in Balsall Common, Kenilworth, Station Tower, Canley Education Centre and the BBC Open Learning Centre. G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:12 Page 25

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The Butts site is to be The Theatre redeveloped by Midland Last Year at Another contribution to the & City Developments Ltd (MCD) but the theatre with the Butts general wellbeing, never City College Coventry Swanswell envisaged as part of the its art deco interior will MCD started work college’s educational remain for theatregoers. function, has been the part At a cost of approximately during October 2007 played by its theatre. This £110 Million a nine storey on demolishing W Block was originally used as a tower block is planned with to make way for the lecture theatre, called the over 550 flats built in small Great Hall when the college blocks arranged around a The site will stretch from the construction a new was first opened. Later the car-free central courtyard, railway line to the Butts and 65,000 sq ft state of the Council for the with a range of cafes, bars from Albany Road to Encouragement of Music and restaurants being Coventry Rugby Club’s new art, highly sustainable and the Arts used the developed in the old college stadium. The façade of the building on the site theatre in the War years to building and an open air building will remain and be which will be home to entertain the public with square. Planning permission enhanced and the theatre concerts and other events. was given in July 2007, will be improved internally the Qualification and subject to MCD agreeing to to allow for more flexible use Curriculum Authority Bottom right is a copy of £950,000 of financial support of space. The developers (QCA), which is moving an original programme to revamp the theatre’s and people of Coventry from 1944. facilities. Alan Biddle, said hope that it will continue to from London and will they were ecstatic with the be a landmark building for employ more than After the War, the theatre new improvements which many years to come. was used by the Midland include better backstage 500 staff. Theatre Company and facilities and improved became a well supported disabled access. The QCA hope to be operating from local “rep”. The college Original Programme from 1944 the new headquarters during 2009. theatre is well used today by Meanwhile the students and staff who many local groups for shows Phase 1 and concerts and over previously occupied W Block have 70,000 people each year moved to the Maxwell Centre and visit the theatre, where some they will have to move yet again once of the city’s biggest stars phase 2 of the Swanswell building is have begun their completed in December 2008. Those of performing careers. us whose courses are continuing in the main college building have had to Alan Biddle, son of Jimmy adapt to studying to the sounds of Coventry Technical College, demolition and construction and Biddle mentioned in the Great Hall programme opposite and our guide dogs to negotiating new chairman of the Coventry obstacles. However, it is a daily Musical Theatre Consortium, reminder that the old college familiar still carries on his father’s to thousands of students and tradition of producing shows apprentices, is ending and the new and concerts at the theatre one is already developing on the to this day. Swanswell site.

Phase 2 – Artists Impression G6915 CITY COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE V5 1/7/08 10:12 Page 27

Acknowledgements

City College Coventry Staff Paul Taylor – Principal Dave Beckett – Clerk to the Corporation Paul Chokran – Multimedia Developer Claire Hodge – Additional Support Worker Sally Pinfold – Marketing Manager John Wischhusen – Quality Systems Manager

Other Contributors Norman Rose – Past Student Rosemary Line Coventry Archives Coventry City Library The City of Coventry Male Voice Choir www.localhistories.org/coventry.html www.historiccoventry.co.uk www.thecoventrypages.net www.channel4.com/timeteam