Multi-million pound college makeover

Miles Jermy

THE purse strings have been opened to transform Great Yarmouth College in a multi-million pound makeover.

Delighted principal Robin Parkinson learnt last week that it was green for go to bring the £40m vision for the Suffolk Road college to reality.

It was announced on Friday that the Learning and Skills Council will provide £32m towards the four year scheme.

The first £10m phase is due to begin at the start of term, with new studio for performing arts and music students and three storey glass building for construction students next to the Alchemy business centre.

The next slice of funding will bring the remainder of the campus firmly into the 21st century, with new classrooms and striking glass atrium entrance.

The main building will be extended to house the training restaurant, shops, canteen and hair and beauty suite with elevated walkways providing access to the community development centre for students with special needs.

Part of the neighbouring Edward Worlledge Middle School playing field is being taken up and an all weather play area created behind the school following the demolition of an existing college building.

The revamp would include room to grow benefitting the 1,700 full time and almost 6,000 part-time students on the roll.

By 2012 the college should have completed its rebuilding plans, which will help the site boost degree student numbers by 300pc.

Principal Robin Parkinson said: “I am overjoyed at the news, this is the culmination of a lot of hard work by members of staff and the team of professionals that has supported us.

“We now have the funding lined up and when these changes are complete it will transform the experience of students and staff.

“The campus will reflect the changes in education and the fact that students have far more flexible learning programmes.”