Havering College of Further and Higher Education

Following the introduction of the Education Act 1944, the Essex Education Committee acquired the majority of the Nelmes Estate in Hornchurch, including Victorian era Ardleigh House and surrounding 15 acres of land. Ardleigh House was initially used as a community and youth centre, and as a centre for part-time day release courses. The facilities were very basic, confined to upstairs rooms, and allowed only for basic instruction. Some years later, two additional classrooms with storage space were built, and the local authority Further Education Committee started to plan for an assembly hall and craft workshops for what was then called 'Ardleigh House Centre for Further Education'.…

Stan Rose heads the governing body as chair of the corporation, having an association with the college dating back to 1974 when he was a visiting lecturer. As a member of the college's Business Liaison team, he represented the college on Havering Council’s Work Related Education Committee, before becoming a member of the governing body in 1990. The rest of the governing body is made up of a range of current and retired professionals with varied working backgrounds, alongside staff and student governors.