From the moment you walk down the drive from the busy Bristol Road, it feels as if you are walking back in time.  The road noise disappears and you encounter a large 19th century manor house that used to be the home of George Cadbury Jnr., surrounded by 6 acres of landscaped gardens (as well as an onsite car park). 

Fircroft offers so much more than education.  The college is a welcome place for its students to benefit from the full residential learning experience.  Here’s why we are so different to other, larger colleges:

Getting Away From It All

We offer a mature environment where people can come and be themselves in a relaxed atmosphere to focus on their learning.   We all need to get away from our everyday lives sometimes and Fircroft is designed to help its students do that.  Perhaps some of our students have not been away from home much before and enrolling onto a short course of 3 days and 2 nights, is a gentle introduction to residential learning.  We have quiet spaces in the tranquil gardens where people can sit and reflect or they can take a stroll round the grounds and when the weather is fine learners can have their meals outside on the patio if they wish. 

Extra Time With Like-Minded - and Different - People

By staying at the college, you have more access to the tutors and other students.  You will have a chance to catch up in the evening and discuss your learning and reflect on your studies - or prepare for the next day’s lesson. Or just talk about life in general!  Often students say they find the classes at Fircroft welcoming and safe places to express their thoughts, feelings and beliefs, without judgement.  Students also say they benefit from learning about different cultures and ways of life from other students at the college.

A Calm Atmosphere

As the college is for those over 19 years of age, the college is a calm place to be and feels as if it has its own community.  Fircroft offers a “mature” environment and we pride ourselves on the support offered to students, adhering to our social justice principles we celebrate diversity and welcome people from all parts of society.  Fircroft is an alcohol-free college.

Smaller Classes

We endorse the full residential learning experience and aim for all of our students to enjoy, learn and achieve.  Because students stay at the college the lessons are intensive and therefore all class sizes are manageable to allow for any extra support learners might need and lots of debate.  Generally, our class sizes are much smaller than other colleges.

A Variety of Courses

Whether students want to improve their self-confidence, enhance their reading, writing and maths, brush up on their computer skills at different levels, learn about the basics of science, enhance their management abilities or learn about different injustices in society, we have a wide range of courses.  Students are not limited to just one course and we will help them to create a learning journey that matches their ambitions.

Come and see for yourself what a special place Fircroft is – take a look at our courses here and apply today!