Standing tall amidst the bustling streets of Tottenham, Haringey Sixth Form College stands as a testament to educational ambition and resilience. The college is a modern marvel, built on the grounds of a once-grand Victorian institution, St Katharine’s College. This historic building, constructed in 1878 under the watchful eye of the renowned architect Sir Arthur W. Blomfield, served as one of Britain’s first teacher training colleges. However, time marched on, and the college underwent a series of transformations, becoming the College of All Saints in 1964, a Church of England college of higher education.
The College of All Saints later became part of Middlesex Polytechnic, only to eventually be demolished in 1978. The original Victorian architecture, including the chapel, was lost to the relentless march of progress. Today, Haringey Sixth Form College stands proudly on the site, a stark contrast to its hallowed past. The college is a beacon of hope and opportunity for young minds, offering a range of vocational and academic programmes.
But that’s not all. Behind the college’s walls lies an intriguing story. In 2007, the local council established it as the Haringey Sixth Form Centre, a response to the need for a dedicated post-secondary education space following the closure of several local secondary school sixth forms. In 2013, the centre converted to academy status, granting it the freedom to offer its educational services to students from all over London. This change also paved the way for the college’s current name: Haringey Sixth Form College. Today, the college serves over 1,000 students, the majority of whom enroll in vocational programmes. While the majority of students pursue vocational paths, the college also offers a small number of A-level courses, keeping alive a tradition of academic excellence. This unique blend of academic and vocational programmes has made Haringey Sixth Form College a sought-after institution in the heart of London.