Home / About the College / College History

College History

Bishop Auckland College originated as a Technical Institute, offering classes at the Mechanics Institute on Victoria Avenue and other locations around the town centre. In September 1950, it moved into the former Railway Offices on Station Approach. During the 1950/51 academic year, 250 students were enrolled in part-time day and evening courses. Rising demand for engineering courses to support local industry prompted the development of the first dedicated buildings for Bishop Auckland Technical College (now Bishop Auckland College) on Woodhouse Lane. These facilities were officially opened by County Alderman F. Hunt JP at 2:30pm on Wednesday, 26 February 1958.

Ofsted-Good-Balloons-Large

Timeline

1950 – The Technical Institute opened in September in the former Railway Offices on Station Approach.

1958 – Bishop Auckland Technical College on Woodhouse Lane was formally opened by County Alderman F. Hunt JP.

1962 – A new four-storey block was added, featuring a gymnasium and library.

1988 – The College introduced Access to Higher Education programmes for adult learners.

1993 – A new Corporation was established to govern the College’s estate and staff.

1994 – Joanna Tait was appointed as Principal and Chief Executive.

2007 – The first phase of the new Bishop Auckland College campus opened to students.

2008 – The Princess Royal officially opened the first phase of the new campus building.

2010 – Anne Isherwood became Principal and Chief Executive.

2013 – Natalie Davison-Terranova, formerly Vice Principal, was appointed Principal and Chief Executive.

2014 – The College entered a strategic partnership with South West Durham Training, a specialist engineering training centre in Newton Aycliffe.

2018/19 – Launch of Durham Gateway, a direct-enrolled specialist alternative provision for 14–16-year-olds.

2019 – The College launched its first full degree-level programme in counselling, followed by a sports coaching degree in 2020. Both were validated through its partnership with The Open University.

2020 – Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the College moved fully online to allow students to complete their courses remotely.

2021 – Bishop Auckland College was rated Good by Ofsted.

2024 – Shaun Hope was appointed Principal and Chief Executive

2025 – The College Group opened The McIntyre Centre; a new central hub supporting young people and adults to develop skills for jobs within the local area and The College was rated Good with Outstanding features by Ofsted.