Apprenticeship & Recruitment Executive

Derby College is a large general further education college with four sites in or near the city of Derby. It supports around 26,000 learners, who choose from more than 1,000 full-time and part-time apprenticeship, A-level, BTEC and NVQ courses.   

Derby College was established as a single institution in 2002 by merging three further education colleges: Mackworth Tertiary College, Wilmorton Tertiary College and Broomfield Agricultural College. A merger between South East Derbyshire College and Derby College was approved in 2010. Heavy investment has been made by the college in its teaching and learning facilities, from the fully equipped teaching kitchens at the Roundhouse campus to the high-tech science labs at the Joseph Wright Centre and the Equestrian Centre at the Broomfield Hall campus.  

Chief executive

Mandie Stravino   

Values and vision

In its mission statement, Derby College states an ambition to provide inclusive, inspirational and innovative learning communities, predicting and serving the needs of its learners, the economy and society. Designed in collaboration with industry, business and the professions, the college’s vocational pathways concentrate on developing students’ employability skills through work experience and expert mentoring. Independent learning, critical thinking and research skills are developed in students aspiring to higher education in an environment that seeks to be challenging and interactive.   

Ofsted report

“Teaching and learning are good, particularly in practical and vocational subjects. The college is a valued resource for the city of Derby and county of Derbyshire; it provides an inclusive and welcoming environment and high-quality facilities for teaching and learning.” 

View Derby College’s latest Ofsted report