1995 - 2015: The FHMR Consortium The East Northamptonshire College was originally named the FHMR 6th Form Consortium and comprised four local schools:
The Ferrers School based in
Higham Ferrers,
Rushden Community College based in
Rushden,
Huxlow Academy based in
Irthlingborough, and
Manor School and Sports College in
Raunds. A brochure from 2002 shows that the consortium offered a range of the then-new
AS levels, traditional
A Levels, and
GNVQs. The name FHMR stood for 'Ferrers, Huxlow, Manor, Rushden', the shortened names of each of the member schools.
4Schools A group of students and alumni received a grant of £40,000 in 2001 to create the website www.4schools.org, which was a semi-official internet homepage for the consortium until 2008.
2015 - 2023: Name Change and Three Schools In 2015 the consortium rebranded as The East Midlands College and lost Manor School and Sports College which decided to set up its own sixth form provision as part of its new partnership with the Nene Education Trust. Free transport links continued between the remaining three schools, with the sixth form's base of operations moving to Rushden Academy.
2023 - Present: Two Schools, One Academy In 2023, The Ferrers School set up an independent sixth form in their newly renovated post-16 education centre. The consortium, now consisting of two schools, continues to offer a range of courses across and free transportation between locations. During the transition period, the website continues to list contact information for The Ferrers School, but new marketing focusses on the dual roles of Huxlow Academy and Rushden Academy under the Tove Learning Trust. == Notable alumni ==