Willesden School of Art

Known today as the College of North West London its roots go back to 1891 when it began life as Willesden Polytechnic then located in Kilburn, London. Within two years classes were held in Willesden Town Hall and by 1898 Willesden Polytechnic was formed, with nearly 1,600 registered students. In 1904 a new building was created in Kilburn but sadly at the outbreak of World War I the male student population shrank. However, the powers that be decided, successfully, to offer courses to women between the ages of 18 to 35 in woodwork associated with aeroplane manufacture. This no doubt contributed enormously to the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force's success in the conflagration.

In 1934 the polytechnic was split into Willesden Polytechnic and the new Willesden College of Technology. By 1978 there were 1,400 full-time and 4,500 part-time students. The art school closed in 1959 and in 1991 all the various facets merged into what is today the College of North West London. Now courses offered range from Foundation Degrees, Apprenticeships, construction, computing and engineering.

Alumni and staff have included Bernard Gay, Harvey Daniels, Heber Thompson, Doris Varley, Maurice de Sausmarez and Alfred Hackney.