College History
Waltham Forest College was established in 1938 as the South-West Essex Technical College and School of Art with a vision to provide high-quality, technical education for the local community. Officially opened in early 1939, it quickly became known as ‘the people’s university,’ offering a wide range of courses. From its earliest days the College championed inclusion and innovation and a vast programme of courses.
Over the decades, the College adapted to meet changing social and economic needs, from serving as a vital wartime training centre during World War II to pioneering industry-led training in the decades that followed. Today, Waltham Forest College continues to build on its proud legacy as one of London’s leading further education providers, with modern facilities, a strong community focus and a long-standing commitment to helping learners of all backgrounds achieve their goals.
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Britain’s 19th-century industrial dominance declined partly due to weak technical education, leading to reforms and funding like the 1889 Technical Instruction Act and “whiskey money” that helped expand technical schools in Essex.
Economic delays stalled Essex technical colleges plans, leading to only the South-East Essex College opening in 1936, with the Leyton plan replaced by South-West Essex College in Walthamstow.
Construction of South-West Essex Technical College began in 1936, with Dr. Harry Lowery appointed Principal in 1937, and after staff preparation, the new college opened in 1938, replacing older local schools.
Dr Harry Lowery, appointed Principal in 1937, led South-West Essex Technical College for nearly 26 years and was a distinguished physicist, educator and musician known for his humility and contributions to science and music.
In 1938, the College faced delays, political tension, and overcrowding but still enrolled 5,802 students and began teaching in temporary locations, setting the stage for its important wartime role.
Former student Sam Eichner fled Czechoslovakia before the Nazi annexation - this is his story.
Former student Patrica Heath tells us about her memories of the College and her life since.
Opened in 1939, South-West Essex Technical College quickly became a beacon of lifelong learning, women’s advancement, and technical training, earning strong public support and establishing itself as a vibrant centre of education and culture in Walthamstow.
As war loomed in 1939, South-West Essex Technical College mobilised swiftly, reopening early from summer break, organising student evacuations to Kettering and continuing lessons in exile. The College community showed resilience, unity and a deep commitment to education amid crisis.
Despite initial closure at the outbreak of World War 2, South-West Essex Technical College quickly reopened and became a hub of resilience, adapting to wartime demands through education, weekend classes, cultural life and community service, proving the enduring value of technical learning in times of crisis.
During WWII, civilian women at South-West Essex Technical College played a vital role in supporting the war effort through engineering training, childcare, first aid, Make Do and Mend campaigns, and domestic sciences, empowering both their communities and the nation’s recovery.
From its early days, the College supported British Red Cross detachments whose men, women, and youth volunteers played a vital role in civil defence, medical aid, and first aid training during World War 2, efforts that earned national recognition and royal commendation.
From its early days, the College supported British Red Cross detachments whose men, women, and youth volunteers played a vital role in civil defence, medical aid, and first aid training during World War 2 - efforts that earned national recognition and royal commendation.
Following the end of World War 2, South-West Essex Technical College rapidly transformed from a wartime training hub into a centre for post-war reconstruction, technical education, and teacher training - playing a vital role in national recovery and cultural enrichment during a period of major social reform.
The Walthamstow School of Art, part of Waltham Forest College since 1938, played a pivotal role in shaping British art, fashion and film during its influential 1950s-60s golden era before being absorbed into the University of East London.
Find out about college life during the period 1960-1989.
Find out about college life during the period 1990-2023.
