Kendal College: Lake District's Gateway to Careers and Higher Education

On the edge of the Lake District National Park, Kendal College has carved out a distinctive identity as South Cumbria's primary provider of post-16 education, vocational training, and apprenticeships. The college occupies three campuses across the market town of Kendal, serving approximately 1,300 young learners and 730 adults each year. With a curriculum spanning A-levels through to foundation degrees and professional qualifications, the college positions itself as a practical gateway to employment, higher education, and skilled trades. The most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2023 rated the college as Requires Improvement overall, though behaviour, attitudes, and personal development were judged Good.

The college's main site on Milnthorpe Road houses the bulk of provision, while the Arts and Media Campus on Beezon Road focuses on creative disciplines and the Westmorland Campus in the town centre delivers business and professional courses. This distributed model reflects a deliberate strategy to embed the college within the local community rather than concentrate everything on a single site.

The Lake District location is more than scenic backdrop. Students on Sport and Outdoor Adventure courses use the National Park as their classroom, with access to England's highest mountain, its longest lake, and some of the most challenging cycling passes in the country. Partnerships with Carus Green Golf Club, Kendal Leisure Centre, and Ulverston Tennis Centre extend the practical training environment further.

Jason Turton took up the role of Principal and Chief Executive in August 2025, bringing over 25 years of experience in further education. Previously Deputy Principal at Barking and Dagenham College, Turton has a background in quality improvement, teaching and learning, and digital transformation. Originally from nearby Morecambe, he describes joining Kendal College as fulfilling a long-held ambition to live and work in the area. His predecessor, Kelvin Nash, led the college for seven years. The board is chaired by Professor Rob Trimble, who joined in December 2024 after serving as Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Cumbria.

A-level results at Kendal College sit below England averages. In the most recent results cycle, 6.1% of grades were at A*, with 7.1% at A and 18.2% at B. The combined A*-B rate of 31.3% compares to the England average of 47.2%, placing the college in the lower 40% of providers in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking: 1,943rd of 2,649 ranked sixth forms).

These figures should be contextualised. Further education colleges typically serve a broader intake than school sixth forms, often including students who may not have achieved the top GCSE grades and those returning to education after gaps. Progress and value-added measures often tell a different story than raw attainment figures.

The college's A-level provision covers sciences, humanities, and technical subjects including Mathematics, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Language, English Literature, Business, Economics, Law, Psychology, Sociology, History, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Computer Science, Art and Design, and Music. The college reports that A-level students have progressed to Russell Group universities.

Where Kendal College arguably finds its strongest purpose is in vocational and technical provision. T-levels, the newer technical qualifications combining classroom learning with substantial industry placements, are offered across several sectors: Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Animal Care and Management; Business (with Finance, Management, and Sales specialisms); Education and Early Years; Engineering (Electrical and Mechanical pathways); and Health.

The Animal Care provision is particularly notable. Kendal College operates what it describes as the UK's first Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre integrated within a teaching department. Opened in 2014, the centre includes intensive care facilities, digital X-ray equipment, and provides assessment and care for wildlife casualties including hedgehogs, seals, otters, and birds of prey. Students participate in the rehabilitation and release of native wildlife, gaining practical experience that extends well beyond simulated environments.

Vocational courses at Levels 1-3 span construction trades (carpentry, plumbing, electrical), hospitality and professional cookery, hairdressing and barbering, beauty therapy, performing arts, theatre and event technology, film production, games and concept art, and music performance and production. The college runs a fine dining restaurant staffed by hospitality students and operates the House of Hair and Beauty as a public salon.

The October 2023 Ofsted inspection rated Quality of Education as Requires Improvement, noting that Education Programmes for Young People, Apprenticeships, and Provision for Learners with High Needs all required improvement. Adult Learning Programmes were rated Good.

Inspectors found that nearly all learners benefit from helpful careers information and guidance. Staff challenge bullying, harassment, and discrimination immediately. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Areas for improvement included apprenticeship support, which inspectors found was not sufficiently coordinated with employers, with slow skill application at work.

A monitoring visit in October 2024 checked progress against the areas identified for improvement. The college employs over 300 staff and maintains partnerships with the University of Cumbria and the University of Central Lancashire for higher education delivery, including foundation degrees and teaching qualifications.

Destination data from the 2023/24 cohort shows the diverse pathways students take after completing their programmes. Of 636 leavers, 44% entered employment, 19% progressed to university, 13% started apprenticeships, and 6% continued in further education.

This distribution reflects the college's position as a provider serving multiple purposes. For some students, Kendal College is a stepping stone to degree-level study. For others, it provides direct routes into skilled employment through vocational qualifications or apprenticeships. The 44% employment figure represents the largest single destination, consistent with a curriculum heavily weighted toward career-ready provision.

The college reports that A-level students have progressed to Russell Group universities, though specific numbers and institutional destinations are not published. Higher education progression is supported through foundation degree programmes delivered on campus in partnership with universities, allowing students to begin degree-level study without leaving the area.

Kendal College is a post-16 provider, with all students entering at age 16 or above. There are no geographic catchment restrictions; students apply directly to the college rather than through local authority coordination.

Full-time course applications for September 2026 entry open on Wednesday 12 November 2025. Applications are submitted through the college website by clicking the Apply button on individual course pages. Students with Education, Health and Care Plans or other additional learning needs are advised to review the Inclusion Services information before applying to understand the support available.

There is no entrance examination for most courses. Entry requirements vary by programme level, with specific GCSE grade requirements detailed on individual course pages. The college does not publish application-to-place ratios, and the open admissions model typical of further education colleges means competition for places is generally less intense than at selective institutions.

Behaviour and attitudes were rated Good in the 2023 Ofsted inspection, as was personal development. Inspectors noted that staff challenge bullying, harassment, and discrimination immediately.

The college provides a range of support services. Wellbeing resources are available to all students. Inclusion Services support students with additional learning needs, including those with EHCPs. Financial assistance through the Student Money service helps with funding, and transport support includes information about bus passes for students travelling from across the South Lakes area. Career guidance services operate throughout students' time at college, and an alumni network maintains connections after students complete their courses.

The safeguarding arrangements are effective, according to the most recent inspection. The college maintains a Student Voice mechanism for student representation in college decisions.

Creative Arts and Performance

The Arts and Media Campus on Beezon Road houses the college's creative provision. The Box Theatre serves as a performance venue where performing arts students gain exposure through live productions. Recording studios and media labs support music and film production courses. The Wildman Street Gallery provides exhibition space for art students.

Sport and Outdoor Adventure

The Lake District location provides unmatched opportunities for outdoor learning. Students on Sport and Outdoor Adventure courses access climbing, swimming, canoeing, and cycling across the National Park. Partnerships with Carus Green Golf Club, Kendal Leisure Centre, Ulverston Tennis Centre, and Kendal Squash Club extend practical training opportunities. The programme includes visits to other parts of the UK and fundraising for overseas expeditions, with Morocco cited as a recent destination.

Animal Care and Wildlife

Beyond the curriculum, the Animal Rescue Centre connects students with genuine conservation and welfare work. The centre handles wildlife casualties from across the region, coordinating rehabilitation and release programmes for species including hedgehogs, seals, otters, and birds of prey.

Facilities Investment

The college has invested £27 million in facilities, including science labs, engineering workshops, construction and motor vehicle workshops, and the hospitality and catering suite. The student-run restaurant provides fine dining experience, while the House of Hair and Beauty operates as a public salon.

The college operates from three campuses. The main Milnthorpe Road Campus (LA9 5AY) houses the majority of provision. The Arts and Media Campus on Beezon Road (LA9 6EL) focuses on creative subjects. The Westmorland Campus in Market Place (LA9 4TN) delivers business and professional programmes.

Term dates for 2025-26 show teaching beginning Tuesday 6 January 2026, with half term from Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February 2026. Contact the college on 01539 814700 or email hello@kendal.ac.uk.

Transport links serve the South Lakes area, with bus pass support available. The town of Kendal has a railway station on the Oxenholme branch line, connecting to the West Coast Main Line.

Academic performance requires context. A-level results sit below England averages, with the college ranking in the lower 40% of providers. Families seeking the strongest possible A-level outcomes may wish to compare with alternative providers. However, further education colleges typically serve broader intakes than school sixth forms, and raw results do not capture value-added progress.

Requires Improvement rating. The October 2023 Ofsted inspection rated the college Requires Improvement overall, with specific concerns about quality of education, leadership and management, apprenticeships, and provision for learners with high needs. A monitoring visit occurred in October 2024, and the college will face reinspection within 12-30 months. Families should ask about progress against improvement areas during visits.

Vocational focus may suit better than academic. The strongest provision appears to be in vocational and technical areas, particularly animal care, outdoor adventure, hospitality, and creative arts. Students with clear career directions in these fields may find Kendal College an excellent fit. Those seeking purely academic preparation for competitive university courses may wish to explore alternatives.

Distributed campus model. With provision spread across three sites, students may need to travel between campuses depending on their course combination. This differs from single-site school sixth forms.

Kendal College serves a clear purpose as South Cumbria's primary provider of post-16 education, vocational training, and apprenticeships. The Lake District location offers genuine advantages for outdoor learning, and specialist facilities in areas like animal care and creative arts provide practical, career-focused education.

The Requires Improvement rating signals work to be done, and A-level results sit below England averages. However, the college serves a broad intake across multiple purposes. For students with clear vocational ambitions, particularly in animal care, outdoor adventure, hospitality, or creative industries, Kendal College provides pathways that combine practical skills with recognised qualifications. For those seeking academic A-level preparation as a route to competitive university courses, careful consideration of alternatives may be warranted.

Best suited to students who value hands-on, career-focused learning and who want to remain in the South Lakes area while accessing qualifications from entry level through to foundation degrees. New leadership under Jason Turton and a strengthened board signal intent to address the areas requiring improvement.