Shj Competitors

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here. Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here. Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes. We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people. We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger. #ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods – and our workforce, working together to shape the future of Barking and Dagenham. As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do. To find out more, visit www.lbbd.gov.uk

Established as a College on the current site by London Borough of Newham in 1985, the result of a merger between East Ham and West Ham technical colleges with the aim 'to better serve the needs of the people of Newham'. Newham College of FE has a reputation for widening student participation with an enormous range and variety of provision. The College has developed a comprehensive selection of outreach sites and learning partnerships across London, enlarging the college considerably.

Waltham Forest College, established in 1938 as the UK’s first technical college, has built a long-standing reputation for excellence in technical and vocational education. Today, it is recognised as one of the country’s most successful and high-performing Further Education institutions. At the heart of the College’s success is its strong collaboration with employers and industry partners. Working alongside expert teaching staff, these partnerships shape a curriculum that equips students with the skills, knowledge and real-world experience needed to succeed in a competitive job market. An investment of over £20 million in recent years has further enhanced the student experience, providing state-of-the-art facilities and industry-standard learning environments. The College is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, reflecting its commitment to delivering exceptional education and training. It offers a wide range of pathways, including T Levels, vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, supporting both school leavers and adult learners to achieve their ambitions. Students benefit from a supportive, inclusive and aspirational environment, consistently achieving exceptional outcomes, with results placing the College in the top 5% of general further education colleges nationally. Waltham Forest College is also ranked No.1 in London for 16–18 student achievement, according to the National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) for Further Education in England 2024/25, further demonstrating its position as a sector leader. In addition, the College has been recognised as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work, making it one of only two further education colleges in the UK, and the only one in London to receive this prestigious honour. With a clear focus on excellence, innovation and opportunity, Waltham Forest College continues to empower learners, support employers and shape the future workforce.