Our Story

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult and Community College (RHACC) is one of nine Institutes of Adult Learning (IAL) in the UK. It was established on 1 October 2017 through the merger of Richmond Adult and Community College (RACC) and Hillcroft College.

Although the new entity of RHACC was created in 2017, a college has been on this site and operating as an adult learning centre since 1920, when it was known as The National Residential College for Women.

The college’s values are built on the IAL’s shared expertise in adult learning and its commitment to the needs of adults and communities. The college provides further education and resources to develop its students’ skills, enabling them to thrive and achieve their potential.

Serving over 8,000 students each year, RHACC offers a vibrant learning environment tailored specifically for adult learners.

RHACC has two campuses with many superb facilities at the Parkshot campus including, a dedicated Art School and Business School, a 120-seat theatre, specialist co-working and office space, meeting rooms, classrooms, workshops and kitchens. RHACC is a hive of activity during the day, evenings and weekends

Current views from around the campus

Site Context

*Satellite image of Hillcroft Campus (site boundary in yellow)*

The site is bounded by South Bank Road to the north and Oakhill Path to the south. To the west is a five to six-storey apartment building and beyond the listed building to the east is South Bank Terrace, which leads to Lime Tree Primary School.

The site area is 1.6 hectares and comprises the College building, outbuildings and surrounding grounds. The current college building known as The Gables is Grade II listed. This property was originally a house built in extensive landscaped grounds in 1877, to the designs of Sir Rowland Plumb.

In the centre of the site is a 1960s building, Powell House, which previously provided residential accommodation for students. However, due to changes in funding and a decline in demand, residential learning is no longer offered at RHACC.

The Future

We are proposing the redevelopment of the campus to provide a new, high-quality college building, which would sit on the western portion of the campus.

The existing accommodation at Hillcroft campus is does not meet modern teaching requirements. The Grade II listed building was designed as a residential home and therefore its configuration is not suitable for modern learning.

The development will allow us to improve the range of facilities and offer more opportunities for our learners and the community.

The development includes further enhancements to the Grade II listed building including enhanced landscaping and the demolition of the 1970s extension.