John Ruskin College

The John Ruskin Institution is a further education college located in South Croydon. It provides people with both full-time and part-time educational opportunities, including apprenticeships and full-time vocational programs.

In 2019, John Ruskin College became a member of Orbital South Colleges as a result of a merger that took place with East Surrey College, which included the incorporation of the Reigate School of Art.

Near the A212 roundabout can be found John Ruskin College, which can be found on Selsdon Park Road (A2022). In addition to being accessible by a variety of local bus routes, the College may be reached by tram through the Gravel Hill tram station.

The John Ruskin Boys' Central School was the original name of the institution that is now known as John Ruskin College. It was established in the London Borough of Croydon in 1920. Scarbrook Road in Croydon was where you could find it. It was established for business on January 12, 1920, and was given the name John Ruskin. The Lady Edridge School, which would eventually turn into a grammar school in 1951, also opened its doors on the same day as its male counterpart. Lady Edridge was the first "Lady Freeman" of the Borough of Croydon. She was also the wife of a Mayor of Croydon. In 1980, it was put out of business and eventually dismantled.

In 1935, the school relocated to its current location on Tamworth Road, and four years later, in April 1945, it was officially designated as the John Ruskin Grammar School for Boys (JRGS). The John Ruskin Selective Central School was the former occupant of this building. In 1955, it relocated to its current location on Upper Shirley Road in Shirley, and in 1971, it was renamed the John Ruskin High School. In the following years, it evolved into a 14–18 coeducational comprehensive school. 1991 was the year that saw its destruction. The Shirley Windmill, which dates back to the 19th century, was located on the property that is now known as Upper Shirley Road. To establish the current John Ruskin College in Selsdon, the upper forms were relocated there. The college now makes use of the facilities that were formerly occupied by John Newnham Secondary Selective School. This school was named after a town clerk who worked in the 20th century for the predecessor to the County Borough of Croydon.

Following a reorganization of post-16 education in Croydon in 1988, the present College was founded the following year. In February 2019, it combined with East Surrey College to form what is now known as the Orbital South Colleges group.