Harlow College

"Absolute mess. Reception staff doesn't know which courses are running each year, telling me they are definitely cancelled, then receiving an e-mail weeks later that they don't know why I was given this information as it is false and the course was never cancelled. Zero IT support when using their faulty links, doesn't care to keep in contact with you regarding important information, tells you they will get back to you.... Never actually do. No care in keeping up with deadlines they themselves set for important events. No information given or false information for all important matters. They will give you wrong dates, wrong financial advice regarding courses, wrong everything. Exams were ridiculous too. Invigilators being loud, the computers not ready, some people had to go home because the software was not working after the computers were supposedly tested.... Disorganised and they will lie to your face, in short."

"The branch that I briefly attended was under extremely poor management. I felt that staff members were unfriendly and rude, and felt somewhat intimidated and uncomfortable in the college environment. The staff didn't seem to know what they were doing and couldn't answer basic questions. They were unclear of the timetable which I felt showed a lack of good management. One of the staff members I spoke to about an honest mistake was intimidating and seemed to be using their position to be rude. I am not at all impressed and am clearly not the only person who has had a bad experience. Due to the issues mentioned and other circumstances, I had to leave the college to pursue another course. I wrote a pleasant e-mail to inform the staff that I was not returning, and still to this day have not received a reply. I know many others who have had similar problems with Harlow college. I understand that perhaps I just had a bad experience and accept that it is probably a great place, but I am not at all impressed."

"If you are thinking of attending this college I would really reconsidered. This place is extremely unorganised. Courses get cancelled even when they have been running for a month or two. Test papers get lost or not even booked at all. Staff and members are not fit to teach. The place is a complete shambles. Karen Spacer the head of this college has run it into the ground. It is no longer what it used to be. All she cares about is pleasing the local MP by hitting targets and the college is suffering as a result. If you are over 18 and looking to study I would strongly recommend another college. This place does not even deserve 1 star and needs reporting to ofsted."

"Absolutely disgraceful college went there in 2016 to do child care and health and social care and was told I would get a learning support assistant to help me with my work on the course then to find out by the teacher Stacey that I wouldn't so I left the course and decided to do catering just because I have my learning difficulties and epilepsy I couldn't do it so the person in charge was very snotty and rude the way she said it and the toilets was dirty, disgusting and stank of urine. Was not impressed by it so I got offered a much better health and social care & child care at Hertford Regional College Broxbourne very polite, kind, helpful and supportive and got help there not unlike this rubbish place and I would not recommend Harlow College"