Education and Skills College showcases new £13 million campus

Stratford-upon-Avon College has completed its £13 million redevelopment project.

Refurbishment work has taken place in the College’s A and B Blocks to improve existing facilities and upgrade equipment. A new gym has been created, featuring a range of fitness equipment, and a new library and open access computer room have also been introduced for students.

As part of the Government’s Skills Development Fund project, the College also secured funding to update the theatres with industry-standard equipment – including making one of the theatre’s gantry areas fully accessible for wheelchair users – one of only a few in the UK to offer this inclusivity. New TV and radio studios were also created, which have already been a big hit with digital media production and TV production bootcamp students.

Plumbing and electrical installation workshops have been equipped with training bays that enable students to mount test setups for plumbing installations of domestic items such as sinks, baths and immersion heaters. These training bays feature a range of new equipment, tools and materials that would be used in the industry by professional contractors. Furthermore, the campus now includes a new ‘green heart’. With sustainability high on the College’s agenda, a new green space was created that students and staff can enjoy. Featuring newly planted trees and lawns, the area incorporates plenty of outdoor seating and areas for relaxation. A new café and social space can also be found at the centre of campus.

Principal Dr Rebecca Gater said: “We have invested £13 million in redeveloping the campus. This project has taken four years across five phases. The buildings have been significantly refurbished, with the most recent phase being the landscaping of what we call the ‘green heart’, and this has been developed with very careful consideration to the environment, sustainability and the welfare of our college community.

“The campus redevelopment aligns closely with the regional skills agenda. Through diversification of the curriculum that we offer here, we are training the workforce of the future to develop skills that are in short supply throughout Warwickshire and beyond.

“We truly believe that Stratford-uponAvon has the wow factor in abundance.”

The College will hold its next open event in March for those who want to experience and explore the new-look campus.