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Regency College is a medium-sized family-owned TEFLschool situated in Brighton and Hovein the South of England.

Structure

Premises

The college occupies and leases a period building in Hove which comprises 20 classrooms, a large student lounge and 2 computer suites.

Staff

It has a full-time native British teaching staff of 13, all of whom are either CELTAor DELTA qualified, 3 senior teachers and 2 directors. The staff have a variety of backgrounds, from lawyer to journalist to professional dancer: Director Mary Silver used to be a member of a popular 1970s dance troupe called Pan's People.

Accommodation

The school leases a number of properties which are rented out as student accommodation. A large percentage of students board with school-approved local families.

Social Programme

A social programme is offered to all students, with an activity taking place 4-5 times a week; examples including a visit to the Royal Pavilion, a local pub, an excursion to neighbouring towns, such as Lewes and Rottingdean, or attending one of the many cultural events that take place in Brighton, such as Brighton Festival. The school also works together with Hove-based UK Study Tours, which offers foreign students a range of one-day and weekend trips to British and European destinations.

Courses

It offers exam courses including IELTS, CAE, FCE and Edexcel General English is taught from A1 to C2 on the Common European Framework Special interest courses in Business English, British Culture, Hospitality English are also regularly on offer as well as tailored one-to-one classes. The school works together with its sister company Gulliver on providing a work study programme, in which students are able to participate on an internship scheme in a variety of industries around the UK. The school's teaching philosophy is progressive in its use of a bespoke E-learningprogramme

Students

A wide range of nationalities including Middle Eastern, South American and South East Asian attend the school. Most students are self-funding, however the school sometimes runs courses for state sponsored Europeans, particularly Italians, and Saudis and Libyans. The age range of the students is from 16 to 50+. The school is popular with both short staying students (2-3 weeks) and much longer stayers (6+ months), who attend the school to prepare for a higher education course. Classes typically contain a mixture of nationalities with a limit of 14 students per group.

Student Nationality Mix, April 2011

German	17%
Spanish	16%
Thai	15%
Colombian	14%
Turkish	9%
Italian	9%
Brazilian	8%
Libyan	4%
South Korean	4%
Jordanian	1%

Credentials

It holds an A rating from UKBA for enrolling overseas students requiring a study visa. The school is a British Council approved teaching centre and a member of English UK.

Partner organizations

Regency College is partners with University of Wales and is validated to run a degree level Certificate of Higher Education.

History

The beginnings

2001

Regency College is founded by TEFL teachers and colleagues Toby Lindsay and Seamus Murphy.

March 2002

Regency College moves into rooms at Wayland House Business Centre, Hove and begins their teaching operation. March-June the school grows slowly from 1 to 10 students.

September 2002 - March 2003

With increasing student numbers, the school expands its operation by taking on more rooms in Wayland Business Centre and employing staff for the first time. Helen Murphy joins the school as teacher.

Early years

October 2003

Toby and Seamus acquire their book supplier, Practical Books ELT, and take over the lease for Wayland House with their organisation Regency Premises. As the school grows, more rooms are taken on by Regency College.

2003

Adele Lindsay joins the college as Accommodation Manager. As Regency College grows Toby and Seamus develop their roles to leaders and managers.

2004

Helen Murphy completes her DELTA. The school begins to run Leonardo work experience courses. November 2004 Regency receives British Council accreditation, followed by that of UKBA.

2005

Toby and Seamus stop teaching full-time. Seamus Murphy is diagnosed with MS and discontinues full time involvement in the business. Helen Murphy takes on his role and responsibilities. The College continues to grow and expand. Student numbers reach the 100 mark. The college invest in a SchoolWorks, a school administration software. 2005-6 Pre-sessional course for Architecture MA, which features predominately Japanese students, is run by Diana Bundy, in conjunction with UEL.

Expansion

2006

Toby Lindsay and Chris Rowbottom found Gulliver Experiences, an organisation providing work experience placements for Regency College and other language school students.

2008

The last licensees move out and Regency College occupies the entire Wayland House, enabling the development of a student lounge and two I.T. suites. Helen Murphy formally becomes a director and Seamus Murphy retires as a director

2008

Toby begins a Master’s Degree in People and Organisational Development at Roffey Park Management Institute. This, allied with Helen’s completion of a diploma in EFL management, precipitates a programme of organisational development at Regency College.

2009-10

The introduction of the Points Based System, the requirement of a specific level of English to study in the UK and the Highly Trusted Sponsor system has a negative effect on the TEFL industry in UK, yet Regency College manages to adapt and continue developing its brand, maintaining student numbers of between 150 – 200 and a turnover of around £1.2 million.

2010

The management team is expanded with the formation of a senior team of 3 teachers: Andy Wood, Sheena Humphrey, Daniel Ironside and Senior Administrator Giulia Samonati. Regency receives validation by the University of Wales for a Certificate of Higher Education. Regency College is approved by Edexcel as a centre for BTEC, primarily running programmes designed for people who need language and work skills development. Regency College becomes 100% owner of Gulliver Experiences.

Restructuring

2010

Seamus passes his shares to Helen Murphy.

2011

Toby Lindsay, steps down as College Principal and Executive Director to become Non-Executive Director to concentrate on working as an organisational development consultant and executive coach. Mary Silver is appointed Company Director and Giulia Samonati takes over the running of Regency College’s work experience company, Gulliver Experiences. Regency College receives its 5,000th student.

The future

2011 onwards

The college is soon to apply for Highly Trusted Sponsor status.

2012

Certificate of Higher Education is due to be launched.

External Links

Regency College
Gulliver sister company, which deals with work placement and internships.
British Council
Toby Lindsay
English UK
University of Wales,
Cambridge exams
IELTS
Edexcel
Regency in the news: Brighton Argus Report
UK Study Tours