The Sheffield College

I had a bad experience as an adult learner at Sheffield college. I was open and honest about potential autism but was awaiting a diagnosis. Despite this, I was penalised for taking things too literally, for being 'too quiet' and for not wanting to speak over others - all of which are symptoms of autism. I was very poorly during my course which meant I had some time off both college and work, I also provided evidence of this illness without complaint. I wanted to progress to the next level course and was told we had to submit an application form by said date. I was still ill during this but submitted a form regardless because I was and am passionate about my learning. I was then seeing everyone in my class saying how they had an email inviting them to an interview. I hadn't heard a thing still... I emailed my tutors asking for clarity with no reply. Then during a class, the decision maker of 'who gets a place and who doesn't' said in front of the entire class 'some people haven't even been offered an interview because of what they wrote in their application forms'... Because of the lack of communication, I had a feeling this was about me but hadn't had confirmation yet. During the same day, this person also went on to say 'you all know ___ is pregnant don't you?' - well if we didn't before, we do now? They went on to say how they had encouraged said pregnant lady not to continue her studies and to 'focus on the baby'. I found this manipulative and ethically wrong. The last time I saw the pregnant lady, she looked mad and slammed the door on her way out after going outside to speak to someone at college. This was the last time she was in class. It was clear to me that after several 'encouraged' drop outs, they were obviously trying to dwindle down as many numbers as possible to reduce intake, as they had already said 'we've had over 50 applications and we don't have that many places'. Weeks went by after this incident where this person told everyone that 'someone' hadn't gotten an interview. I finally got an email back almost a month later saying that I hadn't been offered an interview - this email was sent to me whilst I was sat in class! I then had to pretend everything was fine after reading this whilst being at college. Not only was it humiliating to have this person in charge tell everyone in the whole class that someone (me) hadn't gotten a place, but she also divulged private information about someone without their consent AND admitted to encouraging her to drop out! She wasn't the only person that dropped out midway through our course and it became clear to me that this wasn't the first or last time they had done this. I had issues with getting support from the tutors albeit some of this wasn't their fault as they regularly told students how much work they had on (marking dozens of homework). I even rang the college to say I was struggling with understanding some of the wording of assignments and needed further help. Days went by and no one contacted me to offer help. Instead I received an email from someone I had never spoken to before with the email subject as 'complaint'! He then went on to address my 'complaint' which I never made. So I still had no support and a reply to a complaint I never made! I spoke to my tutors the same day I received the email stating that I had not been offered an interview. I was told that I'm too quiet and rarely put my hand up to speak, however in class it was a constant free-for-all and it was always the same people talking (who never raised their hands). I was also told I have to really 'want this'... I in fact did really want this as I had already applied to several other colleges to get a place. And thank goodness I did! I went to Barnsley college instead and it is so different there in the best way possible! I feel heard, valued and accepted by my peers and tutor. The only reason I gave Sheff college 2 stars was because of their access to free online courses which I've had a better experience online than I did the year long in-person course.

I am writing from a place of deep pain and disappointment about how my son was treated at The Sheffield College by his IT tutor, Kevin Ferguson. My son, who has autism and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), started the college full of hope and excitement for his future. But within only two weeks, that hope was completely destroyed. The tutor and department failed to recognize his needs, offered no understanding or support, and treated him as if he were just another student — ignoring his autism and the clear guidance in his EHCP. The college received government funding to support him, yet not a single ounce of that support reached my child. Instead of patience and care, he was met with rejection, misunderstanding, and exclusion. Because the staff could not understand his communication differences, they judged him unfairly and pushed him out of the class and the college. The emotional damage this has caused is heartbreaking. My son’s confidence has been shattered; his spirit broken. What happened to him at Sheffield College has left a deep scar in his soul. He has now lost all interest in education and says he never wants to go back. He has locked himself away at home, feeling worthless and defeated — all because those who were meant to help him failed to show understanding or compassion. This should never happen — especially in a place that promises inclusion and understanding. I was asking for the college to take this seriously, to investigate what went wrong,but only pointless couple of meetings to inform us their decision in their own favour not my son.

It's my Daughters second year at Hillsborough college, she's an extremely intelligent young lady who excelled at her GCSES and is passionate about fashion so decided to enroll into the fashion course. It has been the the most heartbreaking and probably the worst decision she has ever made. The students on this course have now lost 2 years of their lives, my daughters hopes and dreams of going to university have been shattered. She's not had a tutor this year and when asks if she can book a room to do work is told they don't have the funding! She has been forced to try and find resources herself so her and her fellow students can try to teach themselves! - they have no guidance, and have been advised to use chat gpt. They are currently working together to make a formal complaint to the office of independent adjudicator for higher education. I feel so deeply sorry for the massive injustice the students are receiving at Hillsborough college. Please please do your research before sending your child here. Any complaints to the college fall upon deaf ears

99% of the tutors were fab, but that 1% tutor let me down! I did electrical installation and somehow managed to pass, but I really struggled with the science part, the tutor who taught this, I don't remember his name but he still works there, bald and always talked about when he was in the army! I asked a question on why something was, his response.... because it is! Now 9 years down the line, I have been out in for the 2391 exam, guess what i passed all but the science part! The science is failed because he failed to help me understand! This man is no good and because of him, im under so much stress and who knows what will happen to my job, because I did not pass! You can thank him for failing me!!

I am writing to you about my new English start in September this year . My teacher has not to advised me. I thinking might be two weeks after need to go to college English class, because I still not get any information from my teacher or college. I was went to Sheffield college two days ago and phone called today. the manager said: my level 1 assignment all fail this year . I can’t keep going to college. I’m not passed and I have to keep same level again. Why said I can’t go to college again? That’s I don’t understand what happened, I need to be fully informed. I was worrying can’t go to English class and feeling very sad 😢 get lots of stress, That’s very hard for me. After I try to went to Sheffield college again, the lovely staff helped me to online check my information all is ok. They gave me manger email address. Two day passed still not any reply to me. Hope you can help me❤️ I can feeling my English better than last year. I want to keep to leaning english, I know the English is very important for me live here and change my new job in the future ❤️ Sometimes remembering is very short , if I’m not keeping go to school. Also quickly forget and lost. I want to keep going prove my English. Thank you so much to helping me❤️ I looking forward to hear from you. Hope you have a lovely day