The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College celebrates ground breaking ceremony to formally launch construction of its brand new extension.

The UK’s first purpose built Sixth Form College, and only dedicated Sixth Form in Staffordshire looks ahead to future successes as building works formally begin to construct brand new multi-million pound extension. Under construction by local company Novus Property Solutions the extension will mirror the details of the existing building to form a seamless structure of additional learning space.

Following the Sixth Form’s recent announcement that it will become one of the first Colleges in the UK to deliver the brand new T Level Qualification, this exciting project will allow the College to continue to develop its unique and specialist course offer over the coming years.

Encompassing the College’s ethos to continuously invest and develop its teaching and learning facilities to the benefit of our students and wider local community, the £2 million project boasts an impressive three storey dwelling which will provide new spaces required by the College’s continued expansion.

The building will the brand new T Level qualification within their own digital suite- comprising digital workshop and corporate office space to pitch software developed to clients. In addition, it will also create a dedicated Higher Education space for the ever growing Foundation Degree courses that the Sixth Form delivers as part of 4 year Staffordshire University Degree Programmes. The ground floor will provide flexible learning spaces to further enhance the excellent facilities available to students.

The College also plans for the new extension to open up even more opportunities across the Potteries Educational Trust, enabling continuous development of shared teaching practices, access to the latest equipment and additional on-site space to host development day events.

Mark Kent, Principal at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College said,

“I am thrilled to see the beginning of this extension project which will hugely benefit our students – both at the Sixth Form College, but also enable opportunities across the whole of the Potteries Educational Trust. It will provide much needed study and social space as well as several classrooms and specialist computer laboratories for our growing community.

“As the first purpose-built sixth form college in the country, we are now in our 50^th year and thriving as we continue to invest in the best facilities for young people from Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area to continue to learn and succeed for years to come.”

Joan Durose, Chair of the Local Governing Body added,

“This extension will provide excellent opportunities to develop curriculum and facilities at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College. Not only that, but it will also play a key role in continuing to deliver excellent education in the best learning environment available, now and towards the next 50 years.”

The extension, including access and exit points will cover approximately 300 m2 of floor area and will take approximately 45 weeks to complete, allowing for the delivery of the new T Level qualification by the start of term, 2020. The building will provide direct links to walkways within the existing building across all levels, ensuring that accessibility to the state of the art learning areas is readily available to everyone.