BCA - Maidenhead

Paws A. R.

My daughter has been so well supported during her time at college and is loving her course.

Cal R.

I went to this place from 2016-2020 to study Art direction & then Film
I was really excited to attend the college, because of the beautiful arctecture & grounds
But I was in for a horrific surprise that severely damaged my mental health & confidence. It also almost destroyed my passion for film in general.

Most of this comes from the "tutors" brutal, loathsome, almost scholl-bully style way of teaching
They picked favourites who usually didnt care about being on the course & would move onto something else once it was over. Those who did were often discrimated against, especially if they had creative or unusual opinions or were driven to make it in the industry.

Even if they did well with the work, this was exactly the case for me.

Up until I was on the course, Id done (mostly) amazingly in school & had created a strong network film related outside.
This was completely derided by the "tutors" & while it wasn't apparent at first. Everytime I went to a film related event, I was made to feel looked down upon, which led me alienating myself from many of these outside groups.

Another thing that wad even more openly mocked was personal situations. Much of the time I'd struggle with my autistic brother & had sacrificed much of my private life to look after him. Asking for advice on how to handle him this was completely ignored & eventually this led them to yelling in a blatantly mocking tone "Its not our problem, sort it out yourself"

Ironically as I got further through the course at which point my self esteem collapsed like a demolished building. My work got better & beautifully illustrated every point asked. Which led to "the tutors" doubling down on the ridicule & making me guilty for doing what they told me to do.

Luckily I finished the course during Lockdown. So I was able to focus on much more important things while I was finishing the course & getting a reluctantly superb grade.
Even though I didn't go to the cinema for 2 years afterwards & saw everything through a relatively passive lens.

If I'd finished in any other year, Idve likely packed all my stuff up into a charity shop bag, gone into something else & remained bitter about it forever.

Luckily I've managed to fully recover & am now in the centre of the industry

However I wouldnt recommened this course or the college in general unless you want to come out friendless, demotivated & with a shattered mental health

Miss C. B.

My daughter is loving the Animal Management course at the BCA and I have always enjoyed the open days, especially seeing the on site zoo.
Great facilities and I was really impressed with the free sanitary products in the girls toilets.

Emily W.

This establishment overlooks basic animal rights and proper conduct. I've seen one of the members of the centre repeatedly shout, kick and punch a horse (white with brown patched). Lady drives a red mercedes. Absolutely appalling and action needs to be taken. RSPCA informed

Andrew L.

My son started a farming apprenticeship, which uses this college. He has been down to register several months ago and was told they would come out and assess him every six weeks or so. Or he would be told to attend the campus every so often. After waiting and many emails and calls, still nobody can be bothered to visit or contact him.. Poor organisation and education standards.

Alex

Very kind and friendly staff, the college gives off the same positive family vibes as my secondary school. I love it

Susie G.

Amazing zoo tour and handling experience meeting the animals with excellent and knowledgeable guide, full of insight and interesting facts - and great manner with all age ranges of our mixed group. Highly recommended.

Simon P.

BCA is Having recently visited this college it's hard to express how impressed I am with the staff and facilities.
Set in a few hundred acres of beautiful countryside, this college campus feels more like a private university than a site catering to 16-19 year olds.
In asking around we have heard nothing but praise from parents and former pupils. Our own experience has backed that up, staff have gone above and beyond the call of duty helping us explore options for our kids.
While historically the BCA focused on agriculture, horticulture and animal)equine studies it's retained that expertise but now broadened into much wider offering with state of the art media courses, sports, outdoor education plus public service and travel/tourism diplomas.
The whole place makes me wish I could be a student again!