Built in 1913-14 to the desings of Tether and Wilson, architects of Cardiff, as eastern hostel of Women's Training College. The building appears on OS 25-inch Third Edition (1911-1939) as Glamorgan Training College, later known as South Glamorgan Polytechnic Training College. It was established by the Glamorgan Education Committee to serve Glamorgan and Monmouthshire students, although candidates from areas of other Local Education Authorities could be admitted. The building was designed by Tether and Wilson, architects of Cardiff, and the grounds were later laid by H. S. Rendell and Sons in 1914-15. Tether and Wilson were selected as architects following a design competition which saw nineteen designs submitted to the Education Committee.

The building is constructed in a “U” shape and is laid out over three floors. The principal front elevation faces south-east towards the town and docks and there are two wings connected to the front elevation facing north-east and south-west. The rear north-west elevation is made up of service areas, with access to kitchens and laundry. The Women's Training College could initially accommodate for 150 women students (130 resident and 20 day), with the first intake of students taking place in September 1914. The first principal of the College was Hilda Raw, formerly principal of Bolton Training College.

The building is a three storey red brick and bathstone block with outer wings, panelled brick pilasters. Hipped slate roofs; bracket eaves; brick stacks with stone cornices; reeding and volutes to window architraves. Seven-bay central block has lunette dormer and central splayed bay paired oculi to outer ends of top floor. Tuscan colonnade to ground floor centre, entablature linked to advanced outer bays with arched and keyblock architraves to tripartite windows; small-pane sash windows. Double doors with side and fanlights on raised terrace. Advanced outer wings in similar style; central lunette dormers; 3 bays with panelled brick pilasters, oculi to top floor ends. Twelve window returns to each end. Retains entrance hall with square piers and good rear open well stair with iron handrail and timber treads.

S Garfi 07/09/06. Updated by M. Powel, RCAHMW. December 2023.

Sources: Cadw Listing Summary ref.13415; Heritage Impact Statemnet: College Fields Nursing Home (November 2023); 'Proposed Training College at Barry', Merthyr Express, 29 January 1910, p.1; 'Barry College Desings', South Wales Daily News, 25 May 1910, p.4; 'Glamorgan Training College, Barry', Western Mail, 27 November 1913, p.1; 'Barry Training College', Western Mail, 26 September 1914, p.4; 'Principalship of Barry New College', Barry Dock News, 5 December 1913, p.5