200-years

Starting life as Skipton Mechanics’ Institute in 1825, Craven College has been part of the educational landscape of the Craven district ever since.

The Mechanics’ Institute’s movement was originally formed to provide adult education, particularly to working men, in the early part of the 19^th Century as a means to improve adult numeracy and literacy. Craven College remains true to those technical roots with a vast number of vocational and apprenticeship courses in a diverse range of subjects, many specifically designed to provide the technical skills of the unique semi-rural community.

Our 200^th anniversary celebration, entitled ‘200 Voices’ will weave together the history, development, and achievements of Craven College through the years, alongside the current curriculum and students showcasing special projects to celebrate this momentous year. 

“The college has a long and rich heritage in delivering high-quality education and training in the heart of Skipton and the wider Craven communities. Our heritage as a technical and vocational college has continued to remain at the core of what we do, and this is something that I am extremely proud of. 

200 years ago, we were helping to improve the life chances of the working adult population by teaching subjects such as writing, arithmetic, grammar, and Latin. Nowadays, we cover a huge range of subjects, but we are still very much focused on unlocking potential and changing lives.

Knowing where we have come from and understanding the reason why the college was started, helps to keep us inspired and motivated to continue this legacy into the future – hopefully for another 200 years!” 

Anita Lall, Principal and CEO of Craven College