Darlington College

Darlington College Welcome to Darlington College's Official page. There is a journey with your name on it and it starts at Darlington College.
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Please be advised that while we do try to answer all messages in a timely manner, we may not pick up messages as quickly during evenings and weekends . However, any safeguarding enquiries should be sent to [email protected] and should you need to speak to someone urgently out of college hours, the following link lists a number of external services: https://darlington.ac.uk/about/student-welfare-support-and-safeguarding/safeguarding/

Stitch something new into your creativity this September! 🧵 Our SEG Awards Level 1 Award in Dressmaking is the perfect...
18/06/2026

Stitch something new into your creativity this September! 🧵

Our SEG Awards Level 1 Award in Dressmaking is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to build confidence in sewing and dressmaking skills, whether you’re completely new to textiles or returning to a hobby you love.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to use a sewing machine safely, develop hand and machine stitching techniques, explore simple design ideas and create beginner-friendly projects while gaining an understanding of fabrics, patterns and garment construction.

✨ Beginner-friendly
✨ One evening per week for around 18 weeks
✨ Ideal for progressing to Level 2 or personal sewing projects
📅 Starts September 2026
📧 Funding may be available, contact [email protected] for more information on funding, dates and times.

Take your first step into fashion, textiles and creative sewing this autumn 🙌

Apply: https://darlington.ac.uk/course/181045/seg-l1-awd-dressmaking/

Showcasing their skills on the regional stage! 🌟 A huge well done to five of our Hairdressing students who recently r...
18/06/2026

Showcasing their skills on the regional stage! 🌟

A huge well done to five of our Hairdressing students who recently represented Darlington College at the WorldSkills UK North East Regional Competition. 👏✂️

The competition challenged learners to complete two demanding tests: a bridal upstyle and a cut, colour and style, giving them the opportunity to showcase their technical skills, creativity and professionalism under pressure.

The standard of work produced was outstanding, with students demonstrating the dedication, talent and hard work they have developed throughout their studies. 💇‍♀️✨

Competitions like WorldSkills provide invaluable industry experience, helping learners develop confidence, benchmark their skills against other talented learners and prepare for successful careers in the hairdressing industry.

We are incredibly proud of all five students for stepping up to the challenge and representing the College so brilliantly. 🙌

Cabin Crew Training Takes Off! ✈️ Our Level 2 and Level 3 Travel and Tourism students recently visited Skypeople Tr...
17/06/2026

Cabin Crew Training Takes Off! ✈️

Our Level 2 and Level 3 Travel and Tourism students recently visited Skypeople Training in Manchester, a Cabin Crew Training Organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the UK Department for Transport (DfT).

The experience day gave students a real insight into life as cabin crew, supporting their work placement and future career aspirations through hands-on training, including:
🔥 Live fire safety drills
🛬 Evacuation slide procedures
🌫️ Smoke-filled cabin searches
✈️ Emergency landing and evacuation protocols

As Sky People explain:
"Our experience days at our state-of-the-art training centre are designed to promote and support learners on their learning journey and ensure they are industry ready."

The visit certainly made an impact on our students:
💬 "Sky People was an inspiring experience from start to finish. The sessions were engaging, and I learned valuable skills that I can apply in both my studies and future career."
💬 "Sky People helped me feel more confident in myself and encouraged me to try things I wouldn't normally do."
💬 "I left feeling motivated and excited about my future. It was one of the most enjoyable programmes I've taken part in."

A huge thank you to the team at Sky People Training for providing such a valuable and memorable experience, helping our students gain the skills, confidence and industry insight needed to prepare for a career in aviation. 🙌

17/06/2026

🚂👏 Great to collaborate with the next generation of tourism professionals.

We were delighted to recently work in partnership with Darlington College’s Level 2 Travel & Tourism students who explored what makes a great visitor experience here at Hopetown.

The students developed and presented their own youth-inspired group itinerary for the attraction, bringing fresh thinking and creative souvenir ideas to the Hopetown team - including a train magnet and snow globe - and picked up some knowledge of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and Hopetown’s mission during their studies.

A fantastic project and a brilliant showcase of creativity and insight.

Train to Teach with a Cert Ed at Darlington College! Thinking about progressing into teaching within the Further Educa...
17/06/2026

Train to Teach with a Cert Ed at Darlington College!

Thinking about progressing into teaching within the Further Education and Skills (FES) sector? The Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) is ideal for those already working in the industry who want to take the next step into a teaching role.

✅ Explore 17 specialist subject routes
✅ Public funding available via Student Finance England (pre-service only)
✅ Up to £31,000 bursary available for eligible subjects (pre-service only)
✅ Taking Teaching Further (TTF) funding available for those new to teaching

📊 National Student Survey 2025 Highlights
(Education & Teaching – Darlington College)
• 100% of respondents agreed the course helped develop their career-ready skills
• 100% felt marking and assessment were fair
• 96% said staff explained complex topics clearly
• 94% valued the collaborative learning environment

Based on 2025 National Student Survey responses for Education & Teaching at Darlington College.

Find out more and apply: https://darlington.ac.uk/course/179984/tu-cert-ed-further-education---skills--pt-/

All hail the pie! 🥧 Darlington College was delighted to welcome James Sturdy, Founder and Managing Director of Yorks...
16/06/2026

All hail the pie! 🥧

Darlington College was delighted to welcome James Sturdy, Founder and Managing Director of Yorkshire Handmade Pies, to be judge, jury and chief taster as our Catering students put their pie-making skills to the test. 👨‍🍳

Our pie-oneers from Levels 1, 2 and 3 served up an impressive variety of creations, from classic Chicken, Ham and Leek and Chicken Tikka pies to savoury mince pies (not the sweet kind!) and some more adventurous entries, including a Nepalese-inspired puff pastry, a Forest Pie and a Pistachio and Raspberry pie (definitely sweet!). 🥧

James, assisted by Adult Skills & Engagement Adviser Tomos and Engagement Coach Clare, sampled the entries, provided valuable feedback and spoke with students about the inspiration behind their creations.

While the standard was incredibly high, the following students were crowned our pie champions:
🏆 Level 1 Certificate Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
Lucas - Chicken and Leek Pie
🏆 Level 2 Certificate in Professional Patisserie and Confectionery
Poppy - Beef and Carrot Mince Pie
🏆 Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery
Isha - Nepalese-Inspired Puff Pastry

The event was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills while learning from one of the industry's leading pie makers.

James continues his mission to have the pie recognised as one of Britain's national dishes and hopes to see it included on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, alongside culinary icons such as Neapolitan Pizza and the French Baguette.

Our Level 3 students are now looking forward to a visit to Yorkshire Handmade Pies next year, and we're hoping to welcome James back for more pie judging around National Pie Week! 🙌

Hair Today. Career Tomorrow 💇 Take your skills to the next level with our Level 3 Diploma in Hair Services, available ...
16/06/2026

Hair Today. Career Tomorrow 💇

Take your skills to the next level with our Level 3 Diploma in Hair Services, available to study full-time or part-time.

Designed for passionate, ambitious stylists ready to progress in the hair industry, you’ll develop advanced skills in:
✨ Bridal Hair
✂️ Creative Cutting & Colouring
💫 Perming & Styling
🗣️ Client Consultations
🧴 Salon Health & Safety

Whether you dream of running your own salon, working in media, or styling hair on cruise liners, this course could be your next step. 🙌

Find out more and apply today:
https://darlington.ac.uk/courses/hairdressing-and-beauty-therapy/

Applicants must already have a Level 2 Hairdressing qualification.

Outstanding Achievement for Darlington College Apprentice Hollie Vayro! 🧱 A huge congratulations to Darlington Col...
16/06/2026

Outstanding Achievement for Darlington College Apprentice Hollie Vayro! 🧱

A huge congratulations to Darlington College apprentice bricklayer Hollie Vayro, who achieved an incredible third place nationally at the prestigious Guild of Bricklayers Golden Trowel Senior Bricklaying Competition on 11 June. 👏

The standard of competition was exceptionally high, with the scores so close that the marking had to be rechecked.

Hollie's success is the latest milestone in an impressive list of achievements, including:
🏆 North East WorldSkills Champion
🏆 National Female Champion
🥈 Runner-up in the Northern Section of the Guild of Bricklayers Competition
🥉 Third Place in the Guild of Bricklayers National Senior Competition
🎓 Distinctions across all three End-Point Assessment (EPA) components

Senior Lecturer Will Curry said:
"Everyone at Darlington College is incredibly proud of Hollie and everything she has achieved so far. Her dedication, skill and commitment to her craft continue to set her apart, and this latest success is thoroughly deserved."

Congratulations, Hollie. We can't wait to see what you achieve next! 🙌

15/06/2026

It’s a bitter sweet moment as we say goodbye to Jake, who has now completed his internship at Babul’s!

Jake joined us as part of a supported internship placement with Darlington College and Darlington College Supported Internship, getting hands-on experience in the world of hospitality.

Jake has learnt what it takes to be part of the Babul's team, from delivering great service to keeping up with the energy and buzz of the restaurant.

We're so proud to support opportunities like this, helping young people build skills, confidence and a passion for the industry.

Here's to your journey ahead, we will miss you loads Jake ♥️


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Central Park, Haughton Road
Darlington
DL11DR

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