Member Article

Go ahead for exciting new-build for Sunderland College

Planners have given the green light to Sunderland College to go ahead and build brand new facilities at its Bede campus.

And that means that Sunderland College students will have access to some of the best sports and visual and performing arts facilities in the UK.

The College will spend £22million on the project that will see the creation of two brand new ‘academies’.

The Arts Academy - for dance, drama, music, media, photography, art and design courses - will include: recording studios, a film screening suite, dance, drama and media studios, green rooms, art, textiles and design studios, film processing and dark rooms state-of-the-art computer facilities and teaching studios.

The Sports Academy will bring top-class facilities such as a sports science laboratory, fitness suites, treatment room and a four court sports hall as well as fully equipped teaching areas - kitted out with the latest digital and wireless technology.

It’s a major investment by the College and reflects its commitment to provide the best quality learning environment possible for its thousands of students.

Acting Principal, Nigel Harrett, said: “This is a very exciting time for Sunderland College. We are all looking forward to watching the new buildings take shape.

“The facilities will be fantastic and existing and future stuents will reap the benefits of this investment in quality.

“It is never easy to find the money for such ambitious plans but we are determined to create a college that offers the best possible learning experience to students.

“Having sports and performing arts acadamies will add to our already impressive offer, which includes a vast range of vocational and A Level courses for full and part time learners as well as excellent pass and student satisfaction rates.

“Construction work is due to start in February 2013 with the new academies due to open in September 2014”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ian Benet .