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City College Unveils its Vision for the 21st Century
21 February 2007
The Government and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) have announced that between now and 2010/11, they are fully committed to transforming the Further Education estate nationally. Between now and 2010/11, government expenditure on capital projects in Further Education colleges and school sixth forms, channelled through the LSC, will increase from £500m in 2006/07 to £750m annually. This has created a once-in-a-generation opportunity for City College Brighton and Hove to apply for capital funding to build a college that will transform Further Education in the city. The College will shortly be submitting a bid to the Learning and Skills Council for capital funding to support its vision for transforming the college estate so that all learning takes place in 21st century buildings.
In advance of submitting the bid, City College has unveiled its vision for a new Further Education College to meet the needs of the 21st Century. It is one of the most exciting architectural proposals in the education sector that the city has seen in recent years.
Early concept model to show City College 'Vision'
The current College estate is spread across 5 sites in the city. The buildings, some of which date from the mid 19th Century, are expensive to maintain and the facilities are not fit for purpose.
In bold plans for the £80 million redevelopment of the estate, the core component of the vision comprises the consolidation of learning delivery by the College over three main sites in the City:
The complete redevelopment of the City Centre campus at Pelham Street
The redevelopment of Wilson Avenue to provide a vocational skills and craft training campus for courses in Construction, Engineering and Motor Vehicle
A 'Routes 2' Educational Centre and 14-16 Centre including work based opportunities in the new Community Stadium at Falmer.
In addition in partnership with the Local Authority (Children and Young Peoples Trust) and the LSC the College will be exploring other opportunities for further Skills Centres in the City.
The College has worked with architects to develop initial designs which feature over the three sites:
State-of-the-art and fit for purpose specialist training facilities e.g. kitchens and science laboratories
'real life' training for students in on-site commercial and retail facilities e.g. hair and beauty salons, restaurant, travel agency
A specialist Art and Media Centre providing performance, conference and exhibition space
Library and Learning Resources
Recreational sports facilities
City Business Skills Training Centre
International Centre
14-16 Centre
Higher Education Centre
Adult and Community Learning Centre.
The new City College would be a fully accessible estate for all students creating:
an inspirational, energy efficient, innovative centre of learning and working
a safe environment with social learning and outside green spaces
modern, efficient, environmentally-sustainable and financially-viable buildings.
City College Chairman Martin Perry says:
"The commitment by Government creates a really exciting, once-in-a-generation opportunity to create facilities for Further Education in the City of which we can all rightly be very proud. Our vision is for integrated provision working in partnership with the LSC, the City Council, the Children and Young Peoples Trust, the other colleges and 6th Form providers and the two Universities. This fits neatly within the Academic Corridor stretching from Falmer in the east to the junction of Lewes Road and London Road in the centre of the City. It positions the College perfectly to play its important part in the provision of a complete educational pathway in the City from school age to adult education, specialising in vocational training and creating opportunities for all including Hard to Reach groups or people who want a second chance."
City College Principal Ann Smith says:
"Our vision is to build a state of the art, vocationally focussed College that addresses the social, economic and educational needs of this city. We want to encourage and support our students to fulfil their potential and learn in an inspirational, appropriate, and efficient environment. This is our opportunity to give this City the education facilities it deserves."
For media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk
Notes to Editors re. Capital Investment Funding:
In 1996-97, the earmarked Government expenditure on FE capital was nil.
In 2007-08, planned Government expenditure will be just under £500 million.
The 2005 Budget announced additional capital funds of £100 million in 2008-09 and £250 million in 2009-10.
The Chancellor, at the Pre-Budget Report at the end of last year, announced a further £250 million of capital funding in 2010-11 - this will take the planned annual FE capital budget to just under £750 million.
The LSC expects to invest about £500 million in FE and school 16-19 capital projects in 2007-08.
Over the past five years, the LSC has approved grants of just under £1.8 billion to support 632 building projects in the learning and skills sector, at an estimated cost of nearly £4.6 billion.
More than half of the FE estate has already been renewed.
About City College Brighton and Hove: Founded over 100 years ago, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of excellence. Every year over 2,000 full-time and 13,000 part time students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their education provider. The College provides training to over 2,000 businesses and has a City Business Skills department which focuses on employers needs. Offering over 650 courses from basic level to pre-University level, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.
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