Military Preparation College set to open in Croydon

A specialist training college that helps 16-19 year olds get fit and ready for employment, including rewarding careers in the Armed Forces, is to be officially launched in Croydon on Tuesday 3rd November 2015.  

The Croydon Military Preparation College will be based at Meridian High School. It is the 18th branch of the college to open in the UK, and the first in London. 

What’s the story?

The Military Preparation College is a free-to-attend training college which offers a unique style of ‘active learning’, designed to develop students’ physical fitness, functional skills and self-confidence.  

For those interested in careers in the Armed Forces, the College provides them with the best possible chance to pass selection and complete basic training.  For others, it’s a chance to acquire valuable new life skills and qualifications, setting them up for either further education or employment.

Founder and Managing Director, Huw Lewis comments: 
“Given the right environment, young people from all types of backgrounds can and do succeed. Teamwork, personal pride, physical and mental robustness, duty, community spirit, confidence and humility are the qualities that we endeavour to teach our learners. We are pleased to be bringing our unique style of active learning to Croydon and the London area, and to work in close partnership with a school that shares a similar outlook on education.”

The Military Preparation College is opening its doors at Meridian High School and will be working in close partnership with the school and its students. This move has been welcomed by the headmaster of the established school in Croydon in view of the alternative education pathway that will be on offer to South East London’s learners. 

Martin Giles, Headmaster at Croydon Meridian High School, comments:
“This announcement further cements our progress as a structured learning environment that has a strong focus on discipline, manners and tradition, as well as community aspiration and development. The tremendous service that current and ex-military personnel give to our country is all too often underestimated.

The Military Preparation College’s launch in London adds an attractive alternative education pathway that will meet the needs of many of South East London’s learners and I am honoured that they have chosen us as their London base.”

The College operates a ‘roll on, roll off’ joining process with no set deadline by which to apply, allowing new recruits to join on a weekly basis. The average length of a learner’s stay is 27 weeks before they are ready to progress into employment or further education or training.

Since its foundation in 1999, MPCT has enabled over 2,000 young men and women to enlist in the Armed Forces, and helped over 4,000 others to explore further employment education and training opportunities. In 2014 Ofsted rated it as ‘Outstanding’ in every area.

Applications to join the Military Preparation College can be made at www.mpct.co.uk or by calling 08442 438438.