City Lit is an adult education college in Holborn, central London, founded by the London County Council in 1919, which has charitable status. It offers part-time courses across four schools and five "centres of expertise", mainly covering humanities and science subjects. In 2011, City Lit was graded as "outstanding" by government inspectors Ofsted. More recently, in 2016, it was ranked "outstanding" for "personal development, behaviour and welfare" and "good" in four other categories.
History
In 1918, following the war, the London County Council wanted to strengthen non-vocational education. It approved the opening of five literary institutes: Plumstead and Woolwich, Marylebone, Dalston, Peckham, and City Literary Institute. They took their first students in September 1919. At the time, it was a radically different approach to adult education. The City Lit's first four classrooms were leased from a teacher training college. City Lit is now the sole survivor of London’s Literary Institute movement. In 2005, City Lit moved from its building in Stukeley Street to new, purpose designed premises in nearby Keeley Street, which are fully accessible and include facilities such as studio spaces, "supported learning centre", roof terrace with a herb garden, theatre and music recital room. Since then, they have also opened new photography, fashion and digital arts studios. In 2019, City Lit celebrated its centenary with a year of events reflecting upon the previous 100 years. At the City Lit Centenary Awards, The Princess Royal was awarded the Centenary Fellowship for her outstanding contribution to adult learning.
Accolades and criticism
In 2007 City Lit was the first adult education college to be given the Queen's Anniversary Prize, to mark its international reputation in stammering therapy. In 2014, proposed cuts and redundancies, including to university access, English and maths GCSE courses, and deaf education, attracted controversy. The Guardian reports a "senior source" blamed the government and warned "We got outstanding in our last inspection. How are we going to maintain that outstanding education with fewer staff?". Criticism was directed at the college's marketing budget and the expansion of short courses such as "graffiti" cross-stitch, beer tasting and burlesque. Principal Mark Malcomson said the advertising expenditure was intended in part to support "more charitable provision" in the future. In 2016 City Lit were graded "Good" by government Ofsted inspectors, down from 2011's "Outstanding". In 2018, Russell Alderson, tutor in the Centre for Deaf Education was shortlisted for the Times Educational Supplement FE Awards Teacher of the Year award. In 2019, Fiona Pickett was awarded the Festival of Learning Tutor of the Year award. In 2019, City Lit was awarded the Festival of Learning President's Award for its outstanding contribution to adult education over 100 years. In 2019, City Lit Students Sylvia Rowbottom and Dace Miksite were named Finalist Winners at the Festival of Learning Awards for their commitment to adult learning.
City Lit offers subjects in the areas of art, drama, dance, creative writing, history and politics, philosophy, languages ranging from French and German to Persian and Korean, computing, counselling, music, and fitness. Its courses are held across nine schools and "centres of expertise":
The college also offers specialist areas, including education for deaf adults, courses for adults with learning disabilities, and work in stammering therapy.
