Star Hill Makeover
1984 was the year the first Apple Computer went on sale with Ridley Scott’s timely Orwellian ad launching it. Chatham’s Royal Navy dockyards were closed by the Thatcher government, The Smiths played at the University of Kent at Canterbury, the Soviet Union boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics, Sevenoaks School went fully co educational and Prince Philip visited Rochester to inspect the improved pedestrianised high street.
Founded in the same year, the development of the College has always been, like the education so many students remember, colourful and vibrant. For those without long memories, the acquisition of properties now occupied by the College ran thus (with just a little rewriting of history in some minor details). In 1984 Brian visits Rochester on the Lady of the Lea sailing barge and finds the most derelict building he can to start a school. He then talks the bank manager into lending him and Simon £40,000 and so Rochester Tutors as the College was then known is born with a grand student roll of 6.
In 1986 no 37 Star Hill comes on the market and incredibly the bank is again impressed by the presentation given to them by the smartly dressed Pain and de Belder. The student roll rises to a massive 40 necessitating the purchase the following year at a frighteningly serious sum of no. 39 Star Hill. In 1988 no.27 is invaded to provide the fire regulation compliant student accommodation needed to house the increasing numbers of residential students some of whom seem to be flooding over from half way round the world drawn by tales of legendary teaching. In 1990 Simon presents himself at the bank with a particularly holey cricket jumper and matching beard to obtain funding for the Good Companions Club on New Road (now known as New Road House - home to the Lower School). During the 1990s numbers 15, 33 and 35 Star Hill are snapped up, as is the Thomas Watson building at 252 the High Street (Finland House - renamed because it was once home to the Finnish Embassy). Into the next millennium and the College purchases 17 and 19 Star Hill, Gordon House and 254 High Street, the former Gainsborough Hotel.
Not only do all these acquisitions make sense in creating a connected campus they also surround sufficient land to allow the creation of a very pleasant city garden. The College buildings are almost all listed and provide a wonderfully civilized environment in which to study and work.
Our eco-friendly underground ‘Womble’ building in the College grounds opened in 2012. This exciting development has been designed to house a large lecture hall accommodating up to 100 people. It also provides a new home for the College’s Drama and Theatre Studies provision. The copper canopied roof transforms into an open-air theatre auditorium in the summer months with productions from visiting companies and students. Ground source heat pumps, low voltage electrical installation and modern construction techniques combine to give the building a minimal carbon footprint.
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