Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue

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Reference
Z1012
Title
Records of Bedford College
Admin/biog history
Bedford College of Higher Education was formed in September 1976. It was the amalgamation of three colleges: Bedford College of Education, Bedford College of Physical Education and Mander College. Bedford College of Education was formed in 1882, one of the earlier kindergarten colleges and a pioneer in the application of the teachings of Frederich Froebel, the influential German educationalist. Also known as Bedford Training College, it celebrated its Centenary in 1982. For a comprehensive history see Richard Smart Bedford Training College 1882 – 1982 [Book 130 Bed]. The college has been known by the following names: Bedford Kindergarten & Training College Bedford Froebel Training College Bedford Froebel College (from 1917) Bedford Training College (from 1923) The Training College, Bedford (from 1950) Bedford College of Higher Education (1965 – 1976) In 1950 the Bedford Training College came under Local Authority Control. The course changed from Froebel Training to a standard 2 year Primary Teacher Training Course. Bedford College merged with Mander College in 1976. Bedford College of Physical Education was founded in 1903 when Miss Margaret Stansfeld, formerly a teacher at Bedford Training College purchased Wylam Lodge in Landsdowne Road to start a physical education college for girls. For an account of the early days of the college see Bedfordshire Magazine Vol. XXIV pp.245 – 149. The college rapidly gained an international reputation for the training of specialist teachers in physical education. Beds County Council created Bedford Technical Institute. It opened in 1899, as a development from the Bedfordshire Literary and Scientific Institute and the Working Mens Institute. The Council purchased St Mary’s Wesleyan Chapel in 1938-1939, and purchased further property for college use 1953 – 1958. In 1948 the name was changed to the North Bedfordshire College of Further Education, which became Mander College in 1959. Bedford Evening Institution initially held in Bedford School and Bedford Modern School, with ‘evening continuation classes’ held at Ampthill Road Council School, Goldington Road Council School, and Queen’s Park Council School. It was part of the Bedford Technical Institute, offering evening classes for those in full time work. The Evening Institute did not exist as a building until 1948, since rooms and workshops in various schools were used up to that time.
Ian Pryce, Acting Chief Executive of Bedford College, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, deposited the records on 4th December 1998.
Reference
External document
Z1012.pdf - Diagram of how the colleges came together
Level of description
fonds

Persons/institution keyword
Bedford College,
Bedford College of Higher Education
Keywords
Bedford College, Bedford College of Higher Education