Hamilton College of Education records

Scope and Content

Architects' plans; Board of Governors and Board of Studies minutes; student records; prospectuses and course handbooks; photographs and other memorabilia.

Administrative / Biographical History

Hamilton College of Education was opened in 1966 on a greenfield campus, formerly part of the estate of the Dukes of Hamilton and Brandon. The 1950s and 1960s were years of constant teacher shortages, and the existing colleges of education could not train sufficient teachers to meet the country's needs. The Scottish Council for the Training of Teachers, the advisory body to the government, concluded that two temporary colleges should be opened at Falkirk (Callendar Park) and Ayr (Craigie College). It was decided to locate a permanent college at Hamilton, since Lanarkshire was the area of most severe teacher shortage.

The college was planned for 900 students, with extensive residential accommodation. Initially offering courses for primary education only, the college diversified into secondary courses in the 1970s and offered a B.Ed. degree in association with the University of Strathclyde.

The declining birthrate led to a rationalisation of teacher education provision in 1980 and in 1981, Hamilton College was merged with Jordanhill College of Education. The campus was sold, partly to a Christian School and partly for housing development.

Access Information

Some student records are restricted in compliance with Data Protection Act 1998.

Note

Hamilton College of Education was opened in 1966 on a greenfield campus, formerly part of the estate of the Dukes of Hamilton and Brandon. The 1950s and 1960s were years of constant teacher shortages, and the existing colleges of education could not train sufficient teachers to meet the country's needs. The Scottish Council for the Training of Teachers, the advisory body to the government, concluded that two temporary colleges should be opened at Falkirk (Callendar Park) and Ayr (Craigie College). It was decided to locate a permanent college at Hamilton, since Lanarkshire was the area of most severe teacher shortage.

The college was planned for 900 students, with extensive residential accommodation. Initially offering courses for primary education only, the college diversified into secondary courses in the 1970s and offered a B.Ed. degree in association with the University of Strathclyde.

The declining birthrate led to a rationalisation of teacher education provision in 1980 and in 1981, Hamilton College was merged with Jordanhill College of Education. The campus was sold, partly to a Christian School and partly for housing development.

Other Finding Aids

Item level list available in reading room.

Archivist's Note

Created by Victoria Peters, December 2009.

Additional Information

published