College of Adult Education, Manchester
1944-1990
Archives
Total copies: 1
BOX 1
Prospectus, 1945/46-1947/48, 1950/51-1988/90
Annexe at North Hulme Centre Prospectus, 1977-1978, 1978-1979, 1979-1980
'Ventures' [College Magazine], April 1965, Spring 1966, Spring 1967, Spring 1968, Autumn 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973,
Annual Art Exhibition Catalogue, 1986-1988
Part-time Music Courses at the College of Education, 1979-1980
Manchester College of Commerce, Programme of the Official Opening on 28 April 1967
BOX 2
Headmaster's Papers (correspondence, minutes of meetings attended, reports):
1946-1953, 1folder
1956-1962, 1 folder
BOX 3
Headmaster's Papers (correspondence, minutes of meetings attended, reports):
1958-1964, 1 folder
1940s-1960s, 1 folder
BOX 4
Estimates and papers relating to improvements needed to the building and equipment, 1947-1964. 1 folder
Correspondence and papers relating to New Building and Visit to Sweden and Germany Sep 1966, 1966-1968, 1 folder
House Committee Papers (correspondence, minutes, report), 1965-1976, 1 folder
BOX 5
Principal's Reports to the Governors, 1957-1958, 1965-1971, 1 box (includes drafts)
BOX 6
Principal's Reports to the Governors, 1971-1980, 1 box (includes drafts)
Governors Meetings: minutes and papers (Headmaster's copy):
BOX 7
July 1963-July 1968, 1 folder
Nov 1968-Nov 1971, 1 folder
BOX 8
Jan-Dec 1972, 1 folder
Nov 1972-Oct 1980, 1 folder
BOX 9
Apr 1972-Feb 1980, 1 folder
BOX 10
Mar 1973-Apr 1974, 1 folder
May-Dec 1974, 1 folder
BOX 11
Nov 1975-March 1976, 1 folder
March 1976-July 1976, 1 folder
Sep 1976-Oct 1977, 1 folder
BOX 12
Nov 1983-Dec 1985
BOX 13
Academic Board Minutes, Nov 1986-May 1988
Scrapbook containing photographs, newspaper cuttings, 1960s-1990s. Includes photograph of Mr. R.H. Wilson's retirement presentation in April 1980.
Photograph of Ronald Wilson, retiring Principal, handing over to New Principal William Tyler, 1980, 1 item
Photograph of Timetable of classes, c. 1970s, 1 item
Photograph of Information Board at main entrance, ?1970s.
Photograph of Ronald Wilson, William Tyler, and Harry Johnson, 1980, 1 item
'Brief notes on history and organisation of the College from its beginning in June 1944', 1 item
Biographical notes on Lester Burnley (1904-1998), former Principal, 1 folder
Related Material:See M698 for House Committee minutes, 1944-1974; Governors meeting minutes, 1971-1982; Academic Board minutes 1972-1986.
Title:
College of Adult Education, Manchester
Date of work:
1944-1990
Reference number:
GB127.M765
Level of description:
Fonds
Custodial history:
The Scheme of Further Education, published in 1949, was the blueprint for five new colleges in Manchester. Four of these became departments /faculties of Manchester Polytechnic, while the fifth was the College of Adult Education, which always remained under Local Authority control. Up to 1952 it was known as the 'Adult Education Institute' and was originally based in Lower Mosley Street (linked to the Cross Street Chapel, with roots in non-conformist philanthropy). The premises were acquired in 1943 and the Institute was opened in 1944 - actually pre-empting the Scheme of Further Education (1949). Lester Burney was the first 'Warden' or principal. In the early days, there were problems arising from the rights of the previous tenants, and so the adult education programme had to be arranged alongside the existing tenants e.g. amateur theatre groups. Burney retired in 1964 and Ronald Wilson was appointed principal of the college in 1964.
Ronald Wilson had previously worked in adult education in Germany for 13 years. He was involved in the development of a programme for adult education in the late 1940s and early 1950s, which included visits of German principles to London and Manchester (including the Adult Education Institute) in 1951. In 1958, Mr Wilson returned to England, and worked in Leicestershire and Huddersfield as an Adult Education Organiser. Upon Burney's retirement in 1964, Mr Wilson was appointed as head of the College of Adult Education. He was in the post for 16 years, and retired in 1980 at the age of 62. During his headship, the college moved to new premises on the corner of Oxford Road/Cavendish Street (the Mabel Tylecote building).
The college was not fully occupied/attended until 1974. Mr Wilson had a big input into the new building, which opened in 1973 (royal opening by the Prince and Princess of Gloucester). It was expected to have 3,500 - 4,000 part-time students. The college offered an extensive range of courses, including English Language & Literature; Film, drama, speech; Logic and Philosophy; Religion; History; Politics; Social Studies; Local Studies; Sciences and Earth Sciences; Physical Education and Sport; Preparation for retirement; Music; Art; Other Cultures; Modern Languages; and a very popular English as a Foreign Language course. There was also a GCE course for mature women going into teaching.
Upon Mr Wilson's retirement in 1980, William Tyler was appointed as head. The college closed in the late 1980's.
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedThis material is stored off site and we require 2 weeks' notice in order to retrieve it.
Use restrictions:
Unrestricted
Topics:
Record types:
Manchester Archives and Local Studies
Language:
English
Record number:
7198963