National Star College

The National Star College (previously known as the Star Centre) is an independent specialist further education college for people with physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries and associated learning difficulties. It is based at Ullenwood Manor in the village of Ullenwood, near the spa town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

It is constituted as a company and registered charity under English law, using the official name National Star Centre for Disabled Youth.

In June 2012, the National Star College received an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted. The outstanding rating was continued in the 2018 inspection.

On 10 May 1967, the Star Centre, as it was then known, opened its doors for the first time with 10 students and 26 members of staff.

The first headmaster was Geoffrey Tudor, deputy, Mr. John Sheeran, and the bursar, Mr. Bill Rosters. Tewkesbury Register - Friday 19 May 1967.

The Star Centre was originally established as a charity to offer support and education to children whose lives had been affected by thalidomide - a drug that was used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women but which in numerous cases caused serious side effects for the foetus.

During the 1960s, opportunities for further education and vocational training did not exist for school leavers with learning disabilities, so it was decided that the College would be solely for over-16s; which has continued through to today.

In 1970, the Star Centre became the National Star Centre for Disabled Youth to reflect the fact that students came from all over the UK and then in 2002, it received its present name, the National Star College.