Celebrating our centenary year
100 years of serving our communities, 100 years of working with businesses and forging partnerships, and 100 years of incredible people – all leaving their mark on generations to come.
Now, it’s time to honour our past, celebrate our achievements, and look ahead to shaping a more sustainable, dynamic, and innovative future.
As our founding Principal, Norman Frederick Watterson, wrote in his memoirs: “Always hitch your wagon to a worthwhile star.” A century later, those words still ring true as we reflect on our incredible journey — from a small outbuilding behind a Bury St Edmunds pub to a thriving Group of outstanding colleges.
A cornerstone of the community with a rich history, our success is a testament to every single person who has studied, taught, or supported us over the years. This milestone is yours too – and we thank you!
News
Over 1000 visitors attend college group’s 100th birthday party
Over 1000 visitors attended a family day out to celebrate the 100th anniversary of West Suffolk College and Eastern Education…
One hundred years strong: Eastern Education Group marks centenary with celebration of student excellence
Principal says students ‘have shown remarkable strength of character, intellect, and compassion’ Students from across Eastern Education Group’s (EEG) FE…
How to get involved
100 Voices
The history of West Suffolk College dates to 1925 and today, the college is part of Eastern Education Group, which supports around 15,000 students both locally and nationally, including Abbeygate and One Sixth Form Colleges, primary and Special Educational Needs schools, and University and Professional Development provision. Additionally, the Group is home to an award-winning XR Lab, as well as a number of learning centres across Bury St Edmunds, Chatteris, Haverhill, Ipswich, Thetford, Soham, and Sudbury. Whatever your connection to the Group, we would love to hear from you.
Over the year, we collected and collated many stories, memories and testimonials as part of a ‘100 voices’ campaign to celebrate all the people who have shaped our history and are continuing to contribute to our future.
Come and see us
As part of our centenary year celebrations, we will be attending and hosting various events that are open to the public. We would encourage you to get involved, whether to visit us at the Suffolk Show to find out about all we can offer, join our centenary celebration day to take part in activities or attend our Edmund’s lecture to delve further in the history of West Suffolk College.
We’re thrilled to sponsor Thetford Town Council’s VE80 Party on the Common.
Internal events to celebrate our students
In our centenary year, we look forward to celebrating our students’ successes at both the Celebration of Achievement and Graduation ceremonies. We have held these events for many years, welcoming students and their families to celebrate at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. We are proud to have transformed education for generations and will continue to celebrate our students for many years to come.
Employers and partnerships
Throughout our remarkable 100-year journey, collaboration with local, regional, and national employers has always been at the heart of our success. These vital partnerships have not only helped shape the educational experiences we offer but have also driven innovation and growth, enriching the communities we proudly serve.
Our longstanding connections with businesses, large and small, across diverse sectors have opened doors for countless students, helping them to gain real-world skills, valuable industry insights, and meaningful employment opportunities. By continually aligning our curriculum with the evolving needs of employers, we make sure that our learners are fully prepared to thrive in the workforce of tomorrow.
As we celebrate this significant milestone, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the many organisations that have partnered with us over the decades. Together, we’ve built a strong foundation for education and employment in our region. Looking ahead, we remain committed to deepening these relationships and forming new partnerships, fuelling mutual growth and success for years to come.
We’re still working with some of our employers that we were working with all the way back in the 1960s including Glasswells, British Sugar, West Suffolk Council (made from merging of other councils), Elveden Estate and many more.
#100in100
Join the ‘100 Apprentices in 100 Days’ campaign and invest in the future of your business. Hiring an apprentice is a smart, cost-effective way to grow your team, boost productivity and shape the next generation of talent.
Apprentices bring fresh ideas, energy and a willingness to learn – and with tailored training, they become valuable assets from day one.
Be part of something big. Help build a skilled workforce for tomorrow.
Employers that have already signed up to help create opportunities for local people in your community
- ALM Wholesale Ltd t/a Recycle Your Tec
- Barking Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Bristol Royal Infirmary
- Clarkes Of Walsham Limited
- Colne Medical Centre
- Cracker Jacks Day Nursery
- Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust – Watford
- King’s College London
- Leeds Teaching Hospital – Beckett Street
- Little Chestnuts Pre-school
- Manchester University NHS FT
- North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
- Nottingham Hospital – QMC Derby Road
- Portable Space
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
- Stowmarket Town Council – Regal Cinema
- University College London Hospitals NHS
*correct at time of publishing on 28 April 2025
Chat to our apprenticeships team
Email:
apprenticeships@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk
Phone:
01284 716 235
Join our alumni network
If you’re interested in getting involved and joining our alumni network, please email our team today.