Inspiration in Education nomination – Pinc College
Inspiration in Education nomination – Pinc College
A local college that is committed to bringing about a change in the experience of young people with individual education needs aged between 16-24 is to move into an iconic Stoke-on-Trent building in just over 12 months’ time.
Pinc College, The Potteries and Mitchell Art Centre, is based at both the Potteries Museum Studio and the Mitchell Arts Studios in the city centre and supports students holistically to their next stage, whether that is in education, training or into employment. In September 2026, they are making the short but exciting move into new premises at the iconic Bethesda Chapel in Hanley.
Pinc College is a national organisation with 13 colleges throughout the country, and all campuses are set in community and cultural buildings to support students to have access to their local communities and prepare for adulthood. It was established in The Potteries four years ago with one student, but now it has 20 students on roll and a team of 6 staff.
The college’s programmes are project-based, allowing students to choose the topics they are interested in and develop the creative skills they enjoy. This creates both relationships of trust and a safe, positive culture, whilst every student has an Individual Learning Plan, tailored to their aspirations, interests and design outcomes.
Their curriculum focuses on the Arts, and in particular level 2 and 3 Art & Design Diplomas, Functional Skills, and developing Maths and English. We are committed to bringing about a change in the experience of young people with individual education needs and its holistic focus firmly puts the wellbeing of students first. This starts by getting to know the whole person and their individual needs, and their ethos is that there is no typical student at the college.
Stacey Rowell is the Campus Lead and said, “We are all really excited about moving into one of the city’s iconic buildings and continue to make a real difference to the lives of our students.
“Pinc College provides life-changing processes for students that have often been lost in the education system.
“Being based in cultural buildings is also really important as it ensures that that students are located within the community, which plays an important part in ensuring that positive relationships are built and they have a supportive, creative place to access education. That 30% of our student’s attendance in education triples upon joining our programmes of study is a key sign that what we do works.
“We have a variety of pathways depending on the individual student’s needs. We celebrate individuality and self-expression – there is no dress code here and we encourage our students to be individuals but also team players and their complete authentic selves.”
Pinc College, The Potteries and Mitchell Art Centre, has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category in the Your Heroes Awards 2025.