The college has taken the decision to move from its current location in Denford Park, near Hungerford, to Bath, some 55 miles away, because the 130-acre site is larger than it needs and has been proving too costly. The decision was also fuelled by the students themselves who, when surveyed by the college, said they found the rural location to be too quiet.
Mike Dorward, Norland College bursar, said, 'The bus service here is non-existent, the nearest cinema is 17 miles away and Hungerford is dead at night, so without a car students are stranded and there's not much for them to do.
'They also want more in terms of accommodation,' he added. 'Eighteen-year-olds don't want to be in a dormitory situation, but because Denford Park is Grade Two listed, we can't change it.'
The building is on the market for more than 5m and the college is currently in negotiations to relocate to a central site in Bath, where it hopes to open in January 2003. Students will be placed in local accommodation, close to their peers and modern amenities.
Meanwhile, in a downsizing operation, the college's nursery, which currently takes in 130 children daily, will shrink so the college can concentrate more on its training operation.
Mr Dorward said, 'Training is our core business and people recognise it as a gold standard for childcare, so we are concentrating on this area. We've also upped our entry standards for CACHE courses with a minimum of five GCSEs, as opposed to two.'
The traditional Norland nanny uniform - instantly recognisable with its bowler hat and white gloves - could also disappear, as its suitability for a city environment comes under review.
