Kirklees College - Huddersfield

Cosmic L.

I recently attended an adult course that left much to be desired. From the outset, the classroom allocations were chaotic and poorly organized. It was frustrating to be marked down for late or not in attendance at all for eventually finding the correct classroom when the logistics were so disarrayed.

The quality of teaching was another major issue. It seemed that the criteria for hiring instructors were minimal; if you could read from a PowerPoint presentation, you were in. Unfortunately, this meant that actual teaching and engagement were sorely lacking. Out of the three instructors for my course, only one stood out as genuinely effective. The other two seemed more interested in entertaining a group of loud and disrespectful Muslim students than fostering a productive learning environment.

This group frequently interrupted the class with their chatter, making it nearly impossible for those of us who were there to learn to focus. The atmosphere became so uncomfortable that I ultimately decided to leave the course.

In summary, I found the experience to be frustrating and unproductive. I can read a PowerPoint at home, and I certainly prefer not to be in a classroom with disruptive individuals. I hope the organization can address these issues for future courses, as there is potential for improvement.

M T.

Incredibly dissatisfied, would not recommend their adult courses. I attending a counselling course and it was totally disorganised, we still haven’t received feedback nearly three months since the course ended and it was only meant to be 12 weeks long. This course has totally wrecked my confidence and ability to move onto the level 3. There was absolutely no support as someone with disabilities. I would not recommend at all. I did put an official complaint in but I’ve heard absolutely nothing since.

NotSloppySusan69

Family member passed away recently and my daughter needed off college as she was distraught, told her to message her teacher, the teacher replied no you need to be in college so come in, I was furious when I found out the next day that the teacher had then continued to say on Microsoft teams that the said teacher won’t be in today so college for her class is cancelled as she’s already on her way there, let your students know the night before that your not gonna be there to your class is off for the day, have some respect for your students you entitled idiots

Wispa

After spending four years at Kirklees College, I can confidently say the experience has been consistently disappointing—and it’s only gotten worse each year. When I first started, there was hope, but by the time I left, the quality of education, support, and overall experience had drastically declined. To start, the teaching standards have dropped noticeably. In the beginning, there were dedicated staff who really cared about student success, but as time went on, it felt like the quality of lecturers diminished. Many seemed unmotivated, unprepared, or just uninterested in helping students succeed. The facilities are another issue—what was once acceptable has become neglected. The resources are outdated, the equipment barely functions, and the classrooms feel run-down. It’s clear the college isn’t investing in maintaining its facilities, and students are the ones paying the price. Communication and support services are practically non-existent. It’s a nightmare trying to get help with any issues, whether academic or personal. Admin staff are hard to reach, slow to respond, and often give conflicting information. It felt like every year, the level of support available was worse than the last. There’s also a general lack of organisation. Deadlines and timetables constantly change at the last minute, leaving students scrambling. It’s incredibly frustrating to plan your life around a schedule only to have it switched up with little notice or regard for student time. Overall, my time at Kirklees College has been a huge letdown, with each year getting progressively worse. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone serious about their education, as it feels like the college is more focused on cutting corners than actually supporting its students.

Aaron S.

After a less than stellar experience at high school, I was determined to ensure that my college tenure would be different. Unequivocally and with high hopes, I chose Kirklees College as the educational institution that I wished to attend, and I can say with no doubt in my mind that this was quite possibly one of the best choices that I've made thus-far. The staff are incomprehensibly humble, dedicated, and resolute; their enthusiasm is unquestionable.

My main tutor Paul was quite possibly the best tutor I've ever had - his dry wit and sarcasm always prompted a smile on my face, and in spite of his unassuming/humble mannerisms and demeanor, he remained steadfast and committed to his work (bordering on being a workaholic!) I can say with utmost congruence that I've never met a more dedicated tutor across the span of 14-15 years of education; the fact that he helped not just me, but each and every student within my class individually, is a testament to his sheer tenacity and drive. I'm sure he has received many promotions across his tenure at Kirklees College - if anyone deserves them, it's him!

I leave the college premises today for the final time with my head held high, and equally with a somber/saddening aura enveloping my train-of-thought; acknowledging how the tutors here (particularly Paul) have helped to mould me into the character that I am today.

If you're looking to send your child to a college in the Huddersfield area, I'd say forget both Greenhead and New College alike; especially considering the fact elitist institutions are often more-so focused on reputation, as opposed to the quality of their teaching. Kirklees College knows that it isn't the best, yet this doesn't stop it from striving to be as good as it can possibly be.

Regis L.

I took three courses in Brunel Construction Centre at the same time. Both course contents and materials are simple for beginners except idiots. I learned nothing here. It wasted my time.
I finally believe that why the reputation of Kirklees College is very low.

I really want to have money back.

Courtney L.

Pros:

- Enrichment is great and a good way for all students to be social, wide range of clubs, events and activities.

- The student union is a great way to socialise and for students to be heard by SLT who, sage from a select few, are incredibly unreachable by the student body.

- The tutors are very nice (in my experience).

- The mental health services are amazing and really accessible and accommodating.

- Security are really nice and reliable.

- Wide range of courses and resources.

Cons:

- Staff and tutors do not get paid as much as they should, they are incredibly overworked, underpaid and undervalued for what great work they do.

- You have to do 30 compulsory hours per term doing GCSE English and maths content (via Century) even if you have passed your English and maths GCSEs (a lot of the student body find this completely counterproductive and counterintuitive, yet it still goes on).

- The majority of SLT are unreachable (apart from a select few) yet they will make decisions for the student body, about the student body, but will not consult the student body on these decisions (see: Century).

- There is so much miscommunication between admin staff, SLT, tutors, other college staff and students and it results in so many misunderstandings and mistakes being made and so much confusion for everyone involved.

Lycard S.

1 star is too much. Most white staff are discriminatory towards black people. Especially an English teacher I had (Deb…), she couldn’t hide it. The college has a corrupt structure and a weak disciplinary system towards staff, I’ve also seen good staff that understand us being turfed out to cut the colleges costs (not to mention that they’re all the same ethnicity). You can’t win with those teachers and staff because there’s a “white excellence” defence barrier at the top and all the brown and black people are just temporary support workers and progress coaches. I would have been better off at my second choice college. It’s 2022, yet they still try to undermine us then have PAD sessions about equality! Hell is hot!