The college was founded in 1958 as a tutorial establishment in Warlingham. It moved to the present site in Croydon in 1962. The college was registered with the DfES in February 2002 and is an educational charity which now provides education for students of both genders aged 15 to 26. There is a small number of students of compulsory school age, but the large majority of students are post-16 and English is not their principal language. The college mainly serves international students who wish to attain good grades in advanced level examinations in order to gain entry to higher education. The college’s aims are clearly concerned with promoting high academic standards and fostering international understanding. The college welcomes students from a wide range of faiths, nationalities and backgrounds. They seek to treat students as responsible adults in preparation for higher education.