Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College - Richmond

Sara Aras

I would like to THANK my CELTA teachers Gabby Koczian and Emily Ravanel (2024/25) and the Level 3 Award in Education and Training teacher Alison Granger (2022/23). These teachers made these courses engaging, fun, and interesting. They supported me throughout the respective courses.

I enjoyed the courses and will always be thankful for their support and kindness. RHACC is LUCKY to have such amazing teaching staff who encourage students to perform well and understand them. Lastly, I would like to THANK Jane May she is one of the reception staff. Jane is approachable, knowledgeable, and always happy to help students with her lovely smile. She is very nice. THANK YOU RHACC.

Gaye Davies

Terrible enrolment process which is not in line with the reasonable adjustments legislation from 2010 for protected disabled rights. The staff I saw talked over me to the level I left. This legislation has been in place since 2010, 14 years ago. The first young woman in reception was unhelpful, dismissive and had no idea that she HAS to make reasonable adjustments by law. Direct discrimination in Equality law is not her or the supervisor’s decision as they seemed to administer as their prerogative to enact at will. I will also think because it was 10 to 5 they were already mentally on their way home. The very uninformed, curt and dismissive approach to those with a Disability was disgraceful. I have not seen an adult education college dealing with older disabled people in such a malicious way, who seems to relish being difficult and complicated. Ignored and negated that I needed reasonable adjustments and support, which I mentioned several times but was completely blanked, as I can’t use the online system due to a protected disabled characteristic. I was told to fill out a feedback form, and basically go. The very young woman then proceeded to smirk several times. I remarked to her “if you do that to an autistic or Asperger’s person like
Myself I/ they will be extremely upset and distressed by it.” I’m spectrum autistic and have a congenital joint and bone condition.. what they did is direct discrimination and if I went to the court of law which I have every right to do so, then I would win the case and they would end up with a very expensive defence in court with no proof they had listened and changed the procedures t mKe them disabled accessible at the counter! Little do they know that they as staff don’t make the decision of whether discrimination has taken place or not because it is at the end their responsibility and accountability to make sure their processes and procedures are accessible. Sally, they aren’t. I had enrolled for a government funded course so I can expand my skill set and support refugees but I won’t be going there. I’d rather travel by bus to a more accessible and diverse College that understands inclusion and the law. Critically for me, doesn’t embarrass disabled people at reception by talking over them and not understanding peoples’ rights. Indeed, not every Disability is visible - no one should have to defend their disability against an able-bodied person attacking them for not fitting in with their “ableist” reception staff and policies.

Angela Carteroulis

This is one of the most inspiring and diverse colleges I know, yet management have truly let this accessible and vital hub for further education down. On the morning of my mother's French course, it was cancelled, and getting a refund was almost impossible! then my course, with an outstanding teacher who helped her students educationlly and emotionally was brought to a sudden end without an explanation.... Amazing teachers, but completely miss managed!

Pomaa Ernestina

I had a fantastic experience with RHACC in my adult social care online course. Thank you

Nelly S.

The enrolment process is a disgrace. You basically fill in the same form/provide same information (2 online forms and 1 paper form physically at registration) 3 times! Oh and also a phone interview which is basically to say what you wrote in the online form! So 4 times! Very inefficient and poorly managed college.

Liga Thrower

Positive points for the reception staff, who were very helpful and polite.

However, the facility itself seems to have remained unchanged for the past seven years, particularly the waiting area, which feels quite dull and unwelcoming. Given the college’s role in nurturing incredible talent, it would be wonderful to see them apply these skills to enhance the reception and waiting spaces.

On a separate note, the enrolment process for a short recreational course is surprisingly cumbersome and outdated for our technology-driven society. I applied online for a recreational 3 hour course with a fee of £16.50. To complete I had to come to college in person, fill in a 3-page paper document which is inefficient and a waste of resources. Next I faced the unspecified waiting time to see enrolment personnel. I had a ticket number 14 but ticket 6 on the screen was still there after 30min that I spent inside. Unfortunately, I had to leave just like numbers 13&12 did apparently.

An online payment and registration option should be standard for such services. This would save time and be much more convenient, particularly for people with tight schedules.

SLEE

The organisation and enrolement process is truly atrocious. Admin staff are usesless to boot. Reception staff are rude and unhelpful.
If you expect a professional and smooth service. Go elsewhere! Also atrium and Cafe feel like you are in a Special Needs School, which of course is no problem,except it isn't just a Special Needs College! The cafe and communal areas are always and unfairly, rammed with these students to the absolute detriment of use for others. RHACC doesn't care one jot, AT ALL about it's full fee paying students either. Pretty dire.

khatira behbood

Access to Digital marketing was part of an outstanding journey of my academic year. I truly appreciated all the hard work of the tutors. They were amazing, knowledgeable and really compassionate to help, and they answered questions with certain examples and precise explanations. I received a lot of encouragement and support from all the teachers who helped to successfully complete the course with loads of achievements and move forward to keep my place in the university. Thanks to all my lovely teachers!