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Tresham Given the Green Light to Go Forward
03 Jul 2009
Tresham is one of just thirteen colleges within the UK and the only college within the East Midlands region to be granted approval for its redevelopment plans after the Learning and Skills Council's capital programme committee selected colleges who met the prioritisation criteria which was set in response to the Foster Review recommendation highlighting a needs-based approach with explicit priorities and choice criteria and the readiness of the project.The criteria looked at proposals submitted by colleges for their:
- Educational and skills impact
- Overall value for money
- Present condition of the estate
- Co-dependency with third parties
- Contribution to local economic regeneration and other priorities
Tresham require funding from the Learning and Skills Council to ensure the college provides high quality learning opportunities and to develop and maintain a responsive and collaborative curriculum in partnership with the local community and support local town centre regeneration projects.
Tresham plans to build a brand new state of the art multi-million pounds campus on the 14 acre site in Corby which was previously occupied by Corby Community College to become a key building on the eastern approach into the regenerated town centre, located next to the new railway link.
The new campus will continue to offer provision such as Construction, Motor Vehicle, Hair and Beauty, as well as additional new provision in Business, Sport, Health & Care and employer-led work.
The extra space available to the college provides an opportunity to develop a Higher Education centre as part of its plans across north Northamptonshire for its ‘University Challenge' bid.
The college plans to move developments forward as quickly as possible after gaining planning permission from Corby Borough Council in May 2009 to build the new campus.
In the meantime, the college leadership group are implementing an extensive refurbishment project to the existing campuses to ensure that learners gain their qualifications in a suitable learning environment.
The plans being developed for the new Wellingborough campus will be put on hold until additional funds can be identified to implement new further education colleges across the UK. Tresham will be working with partners, especially Wellingborough Borough Council and local schools to consider options to improve the current provision and to secure funding in the longer term.
Mark Silverman, Principal at Tresham said:
"These redevelopment plans are great news for Tresham and for the people of North Northamptonshire as the new campus in Corby will provide a modern, state of the art facility for people to learn in and gain the skills they need for the workplace.
We remain committed to ensuring that our learners get the best possible experience."
Phil Hope, MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire said:
"This is wonderful news for Corby and will provide a state of the art centre for education and training. This will benefit young people, adults and the local community. It also contributes to the regeneration of the town, allowing the current town centre site to be redeveloped. It will also bring much needed jobs in Construction.
A lot of hard work has gone into ensuring that Tresham College in Corby was one of only 13 Colleges in the country to have secured in this round, the funding for new buildings. I would like to thank in particular, Tresham, the County Council, Corby Borough Council and North Northants Development Corporation for their contributions in achieving this"
Simon Evans, Chief Executive of North Northants Development Company (NNDC) said:
"The go-ahead for the Corby campus is fantastic news for residents and local businesses and I must congratulate Tresham and all partners that helped to make such a strong case for the new college.
Increased access to modern education facilities is vital to the growth and prosperity of North Northamptonshire and NNDC will continue to work with Tresham on progressing its equally ambitious plans for Kettering and Wellingborough."
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For further information, photograph or interview opportunities contact:
Olivia Morton, Press & Communications Officer
01536 413151
0781 037 8292
- 1. Tresham is a college offering further and higher education as well as opportunities for 14 to 16 year olds through partnerships with schools.
- 2. Tresham has a new Kettering campus as well as campuses in Corby, Wellingborough, Oakham and Silverstone.
- 3. Last year the college taught approximately 3,000 full time students and 8,000 part time students as well as people in the workplace.
- 4. Tresham offers courses including A Levels, BTECs, NVQs, Diplomas, Foundation programmes, Higher Education and professional qualifications.