Page 16 - HB- Further Education

Redditch Heritage Further Education in Redditch

In November 2000 Malcolm Wicks, Minister for Lifelong Learning, accompanied by local
MP, Jacqui Smith, opened the NEW College Sixth Form Centre (based in A Block) which
had 500 students. In September 2000 NEW College had 2,080 full-time students while
total enrolments were 13,819, and another 1,000 enrolled for IT outreach courses

In May 2000 NEW College’s Governors discussed college accommodation. The Redditch
site benefited from its town centre location, but some buildings had deteriorated to the
point where it was no longer economic to repair them. There also needed to be a
permanent location for the Art section rather than the temporary one in Britten Street,
where it moved to after the fire. Architects were selected in November 2000. The Hall,
B Block and the Seminar Room were seen as rapidly deteriorating buildings, especially
after the harmful effects of the Art Block fire. Planning permission was received in 2001
and the buildings were demolished in the November of the same year. This also meant
there was room for the new buildings completed in 2003. The new Archer Road building
was largely steel and glass while another feature was the glass-covered piazza adjacent
to Peakman Street. Peakman Street was shortened, so that it no longer joined Archer
Road.

The building in Church Road housed the Literary and Scientific Institute, Redditch College’s
Art section and from the early 1980s a training restaurant. It was put on the market in
2003 and it is now occupied by offices of the Redditch Standard. As the property was
covered by an old covenant NEW College gave a grant to arts groups following the sale.
The funds released ensured the continuity of investment into the arts each year, as a new
charity was set up to manage the money, working in association with Redditch Arts Council
and NEW College.

The new sports hall on the Redditch campus was officially opened on 24 May, 2007 by
the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Accompanied by the Principal and Redditch MP Jacqui
Smith, Mr. Blair was taken on a guided tour of the campus facilities to meet and talk to
staff and students. NEW College continued to expand and in September 2009 it became
the largest education provider in the county with more than 3,000 full-time students. In
Redditch the new construction courses were held in Alliance House, Fishing Line Road,
while Osprey House in Albert Street provided additional rooms for expansion.

Another New Chapter

2014 saw yet another new chapter in the history of further education in Redditch when
the NEW College merged with the Worcester College of Technology.

The merger was announced as a clear vision for the future with this joint statement:

“This is an exciting time for all those involved at NEW College and Worcester College of
Technology. The Merger will provide greater opportunities for our students and will help
raise aspirations and self confidence. It will significantly improve their employability
prospects by providing greater work experience opportunities. The opportunity to further
develop key partnerships within the local area will be enhanced. As a merged College, we
will be able to provide high quality facilities and innovative virtual learning environments.
Importantly, the merger will support the local economy by providing employers with access
to relevant training skills. .”

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