We were delighted to welcome the Town Mayor of Alton, Cllr Annette Eyre, and EHDC Cllr Emily Young to Alton College on the 13th October 2025 to enjoy a game of Boccia with them. Joined by staff and students as well as our very own Trevor Heley, it was brilliant to see the new Boccia courts being put to good use. The courts were funded by the Alton College Foundation using generous donations from both Alton Town Council (as a grant under their Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy scheme) and EHDC Cllr Emily Young (as one of her councillor community grants). We can’t wait to see the students and local community putting these new sporting facilities to good use by participating in this fantastic inclusive sport which is already enjoyed by many of our students.
Read MoreWe were sad to hear the news that our dear friend and supporter Michael Campbell had died. Michael in conjunction with the Ellis Campbell Foundation have been sponsors of Engineering Scholarships for 20 years and 40 students had to-date received a Scholarship. Last year he also sponsored 2 students on the college's Space programme something Michael was keen to support. Our condolences go to his family. He will be dearly missed by all of the foundation directors and the students and staff at Alton College.
Read MoreThe application window for scholarships for 2025/26 is now open and will remain open until 15 November 2025. Please take a look at the 'FAQ' page of the website for details on how to apply and let any young people know who have recently joined the college and are in their first year of studying at Level 3.
Read MoreThe Alton College Foundation were delighted to award three students taking their Public & Defence Services qualifications at Alton College with awards in July 2025 recognising their hard work and achievements during their time at the College. Student Joshua Thomas received an award for excellence in Land Based Outdoor and Adventurous Activities which was presented to him during his Pass-Out Parade which took place at Fort Purbrook. Families and staff members were able to join the students for the day and celebrate their individual and group successes and achievements.
Read MoreThe Alton College Foundation were delighted to award six students studying Engineering T Levels at Alton College with awards in July 2025 recognising a variety of skills including CADCAM, workshop skills and technological achievements. Awards were presented by Mike Baker, a trustee of the Alton College Foundation, at the annual Alton College Student Award Ceremony which took place in July and where parents and families were able to help students celebrate their successes and achievements.
Read MoreA big thanks to EHDC for supporting our students by funding 5 new tents to be used by students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh here at Alton College. They were put to use during a chilly training weekend in February 2025 and kept everyone warm and dry!
Read MoreThe Wessex Arts Theatre at Alton College was packed out on Thursday 6th March with representatives from local businesses, charities and organisations as well as staff, supporters and students of the College and their families, all enjoying an evening of celebrations at the annual ‘Scholarships for Excellence Awards Evening’. This year saw 20 ‘Scholarships for Excellence’ being awarded to students studying at Alton College in a range of subjects including business, economics, digital media and engineering. The scholarship scheme has been run for the last 23 years by the Alton College Foundation, a charity which is based at Alton College and works with staff to not only celebrate the excellence of students at the College by running the scholarship scheme, but to also help fundraise for other equipment and resources needed by the College. Trevor Heley, Managing Director of the Alton College Foundation said in respect of the evening “Even after 23 years of awarding scholarships, I am always pleased to see that both applicants and selected scholars continue to be great ambassadors for Alton College. This year we introduced two new scholarships to the selection on offer. A scholarship for drawing sponsored by Mrs Rosemary Andreae and aimed at supporting the excellent A Level Art students who come to the College to join the wonderful Art department, and two scholarships sponsored by the Ellis Campbell Foundation for the Space Technologies Programme, an exciting new programme introduced this year at the College. We are truly grateful that these, and other long-term sponsors, enable us to award such a wide range of scholarships”.
Read MoreIn June 2024 eight students from Alton College studying either Engineering or Public Services courses received awards for their hard work, commitment and excellence in their courses. Mr Mike Baker, one of the trustees of the Alton College Foundation, joined Ashley Grute (vice principal of the College) in awarding and congratulating the students for their brilliant achievements.
Read MoreWe are absolutely delighted that the wonderful folk at the FatFace Foundation have kindly awarded the Alton College Foundation a grant to help buy two new sewing machines for the students studying textiles here at Alton College (HSDC) - the textiles department have already set them up and the students are loving having access to these wonderful new pieces of equipment. Thank you from everyone here at The Alton College Foundation and Alton College (HSDC)! We are always looking for ways to collaborate with local organisations - please get in touch if you are keen to help support our students
Read MoreWe have had some great applications this year and have had to make some tough decisions but we have produced a shortlist for interviews starting in January. Good luck to all those students who have made it to this milestone and commiserations to those who didn’t.
Read MoreWe are now open for Scholarship applications for 2024. For details about the scheme please go to the How We Support Students page on this website. Applications close 15 Nov 2023. Any queries contact our office. NOTE: The deadline for applications for the 2024 Scholarship scheme has now been extended to Sunday 26th November
Read MoreUnfortunately we have had to say goodbye to Ellie who joined us as Administrator in April. Although she was only with us a short time she made a great contribution to our work. We wish her well in her new job. Fortunately for us we have quickly found a replacement and Sarah Womersley will be joining in early September (just in time for the Scholarship application rush ) Welcome Sarah !
Read MoreAfter seven and a half years we have had to bid farewell to Michelle George our Administrator who has left us to join the staff at Alton College (so a long way away). She will be greatly missed by everybody.
Read MoreThe 21st Scholarships for Excellence Award Ceremony was held on Tuesday 7 March 2023. Twenty-Two new scholars were appointed in a range of subjects bringing the total number of scholars awarded to 397!
Read MoreIt is with great sadness that we announce the death of Nicholas Branch (Nicky), a founder and former Chairman of the Alton College Foundation. Nicky, along with his fellow Governors and the then Principal of the College, established the Foundation as a Charity in 1999. The concept of an externally funded scholarship scheme for 16–19 year olds in full time education was, and still is, innovative. Its continued success is a testament to Nicky’s commitment, pride and belief in the Charity and the students themselves. Nicky retired as Chairman in 2020 but continued to be involved and provided a personal scholarship for public services students. On his retirement, many former students wrote quotes to thank him for his support. One such quote read: "Nicky, I am deeply grateful to you for your unwavering confidence in the young people of today. I'm certain that such a shining example of community leadership will not be forgotten." He will be dearly missed by the Directors of the Foundation and their thoughts are with his family.
Read MoreKieran Robinson, a second-year student at the College was recently presented with the 2021 Award for Excellence in Geography. Kieran was presented with the Steve Millar Award for Excellence in Geography. The award is given to the student who achieves the highest grade in their Geography exam at the end of their first and who is also progressing on to study A Level Geography. Kieran was presented with the Award by Steve Millar at a private ceremony held at Alton College. Kieran intends to continue his studies at Bath University. Steve Millar spent over 30 years working at Alton College in the Geography Department and when he left, in conjunction with the Alton College Foundation wanted to leave an annual award for a student excelling in Geography. The award has specific requirements for the student to have gained the highest marks and be progressing into the second year. Izzy Wood, Geography Lecturer, was at the presentation and said she was “delighted to see Kieran receive his award. He is a conscientious student who deserves recognition for his studies in geography and is a great ambassador for the College.”
Read MoreOn Thursday 10 March, we were pleased to hold a ceremony where we awarded 25 scholarships in a wide range of subjects. Our thanks to all our sponsors for their support and congratulations to our scholars. This brings to total of scholars to 375 over the last 20 years, a fantastic achievement.
Read MoreWe were very pleased to have been invited to the official opening of the Alton Campus Gaming & Creative Digital Studios today. We believe in encouraging students to join an industry already worth £7bn to the UK economy. To that end we have decided to offer the 2022 Alumni Scholarship to a student studying in this area. Students have until 15 November to send in their application
Read MoreCongratulations go to Jemima Willoughby, who did an outstanding job scoring in the top 5% of British Olympiad competitors to win gold at the recent UK Biology Olympiad.
Read MoreThe Alton College Foundation has just launched an appeal using the Virgin Money Giving platform aimed at raising funds to provide college students with laptops/tablets. This is in recognition of the fact that some students have struggled to work from home during the pandemic because of a lack of equipment and that this struggle will continue even after the college returns to normal. To make a donation use the link here. UPDATE: We closed this appeal having raised over £600. We have already helped two deserving students with others still coming forward for help
Read MoreTwenty-one HSDC Alton students have been selected for the Alton College Foundation Scholarships for Excellence. The new scholars bring the total number of students awarded scholarships, since the scheme began in 2002, to 350. The scheme, supported by local organisations, individuals and trusts, offers HSDC Alton students financial support over the two years they are at the College, along with the prestige of being appointed as a scholar. The selection process was carried out online this year, with the interviewers being presented with an incredibly high calibre of shortlisted applicants. Subsequently the winning students were outstanding in their subject areas of art, business, design and architecture, economics, engineering, English literature, humanities, mathematics, medicine, music, modern foreign languages, performing arts, public services and science. The formal scholarship award ceremony, normally held in the spring, has been delayed until later this year when it is hoped that students will be able to meet their sponsors in person and celebrate their achievements with other scholars past and present. Trevor Heley, Managing Director of the Foundation, said: “Since introducing the Scholarships for Excellence scheme in 2002 we have seen how beneficial it has been to our Scholars. They tell us how it helped them get into their chosen university and move into exciting careers working across the world. Both we and their sponsors continue to keep in touch with many of our 350 scholars and often invite them to come back to the College to inspire students. For my fellow directors and myself, our reward is to know that something we created nearly 20 years ago continues to go from strength to strength”.
Read MoreWe have renamed the Development Fund as the Student Support Fund. The primary reason is to give more clarity to what we are trying to achieve by offering grants to students. Details can be found on this website.
Read MoreWe are pleased to announce that, for the first time, we will be awarding a Scholarship for Public Service. It is so important that we recognise and encourage the work undertaken by all those choosing a career in public services e.g. Police, Medicine, Fire and Rescue and the Armed forces. A big thank you goes to Nicky Branch, the ex Chair of the Foundation, for funding this Scholarship
Read MoreThe 18th Scholarships for Excellence Awards took place on 27th February 2020, with 20 students receiving scholarships.
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