YEOVIL COLLEGE BREAKS GROUND on £60+ MILLION CAMPUS REDEVELOPMENT
Released On 30th Oct 2024
Creating Tomorrow’s College, Today!
Yeovil College is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new campus transformation, featuring state-of-the-art facilities that promise to offer unparalleled educational experiences to students across the region with its advanced facilities, dynamic learning environments, and a commitment to excellence.
The £60+ million investment awarded by the Department for Education (DfE), and collaborating with BAM as the main contractor, has culminated in the creation of a cutting-edge Sports Centre, a Technical Construction Centre, and a large, modern Teaching Centre, which will house all commercial outlets, including reenvisaged salons and restaurants, as well as much of the teaching space from across the curriculum and a self-contained and privately accessible Foundation Learning wing.
These facilities are meticulously designed to nurture local talent, skills, and innovation, addressing the diverse needs of the community and enhancing employment opportunities in the region.
The innovative project features the following:
Flagship Teaching Centre: A Foundation for Educational Growth.
The Teaching Centre is the academic heart of the new campus, and the most glorious element of the new ‘Big Build’. Replacing the existing Kingston and Bridge Building, both of which exceed 60 years of existence, the new ‘L- shaped’ building will exceed 10,000m² of first-class accommodation.
With almost 100 state-of-the-art classrooms, inviting social and study spaces, and cutting-edge technology, it’s poised to become a vibrant centre for learning and interaction. Whether students are attending lectures, participating in group projects, or simply enjoying a coffee break, this building aims to elevate their campus experience and promises to be a hub of activity, fostering collaboration, creativity, and community.
Sports Centre: A Hub of Athletic and Sporting Excellence, known as the Yeovil Institute of Sport.
The contemporary Sports Centre is a testament to Yeovil College’s commitment to fostering athletic prowess and healthy lifestyles. Equipped with advanced training equipment, a cutting-edge gym and versatile fields and pitches, it will stand as one of the most stunning and sophisticated college sports centres in the region.
Technical Construction Centre: Building Technical Futures and follows the opening of the first new construction facility, opening January 2024.
Addressing the critical skills gap in the construction industry, the Construction Centre is set to become a beacon of vocational construction training, adding a further 1,700m² of construction specialist and technical training to the campus. With workshops housing the latest technology and machinery, students will receive hands-on experience, preparing them for successful careers in construction, fire and security and electrical. The new centre compliments the Construction Skills Centre, which was opened in January 2024 on the Yeovil College site.
The extended facilities will accommodate the 100%+ of growth within Construction apprentices and full-time leaners, who are all developing their careers in the industry. New sector leading facilities extending traditional trades space and making room for cutting edge Green Construction and Retrofit Technologies will support the sector to reduce its environmental impact for future decades.
Scale & Impact
Following the DfE announcement in November 2020, advising that Yeovil College was selected as one of sixteen UK-wide colleges to gain a share of the £1.5bn Further Education Capital Transformation Fund. Yeovil College was subsequently granted planning permission by Somerset County Council for the ambitious development in August 2023.
The scope of the project, known by the College as YC Big Build comprises the demolition and replacement of the older Kingston Building, Bridge Block and Sports Hall, allowing for the construction of three impressive, modern buildings – a state-of-the-art main teaching block, Construction technical and specialist Centre and an Institute of Sport Centre.
The footprint of the newly developed site will comprise approximately 12,500 m2 Gross Internal Area (GIA) of new build development, replacing 8813m2 of demolished buildings. This will result in an overall increase in campus building GIA from 18,000 m2 to 21,687m2. The additional space will provide teaching and learning environments to accommodate the dramatic and fast growth Yeovil College has enjoyed over the past several years, where it has realised almost a £9 million increase in financial turnover, taking the College’s position to a turnover of over £21 million.
Yeovil College Official Statement:
Mark Bolton, CEO & Principal, shared: “The investment and campus transition that will now begin and conclude over the next three years is a once in a lifetime opportunity and can be transformational for our town. It will accelerate and widen the impact of our work, in our mission to create life-changing opportunities.
“This is the last and largest piece of our campus renewal jigsaw, the culmination of years of hard work following the refurbishment and refit of almost every other building and space at our Yeovil site.”
The planned buildings will positively impact the community of not only Yeovil, but of South Somerset and North and West Dorset, providing advanced facilities, resources, and spaces for our regions.
Mr Bolton continued: “We anticipate that the increased numbers of full and part time learners and apprentices will continue, further increasing our ability to provide life-changing opportunities and careers for our learners.
“From our work with our business community, we know that the number of degree apprentices and other university-level students will continue to grow strongly, supporting local industry to succeed with amazing people, providing the higher skills and knowledge that underpin both success and prosperity.”
BAM Official Statement:
Tim Chell, Regional Director at BAM, said: "We’re proud to support Yeovil College and the Department for Education on this transformative project, which will benefit both current and future learners. Over the next four years, we’ll generate more than £15m in local social economic value by creating local jobs, apprenticeships, and providing supported learning experiences for students, all while working closely with local businesses and the wider community. We will maximise the positive impact of this project, helping to drive growth and prosperity in Yeovil and beyond."
Unrivalled Excellence:
Yeovil College’s commitment to excellence extends beyond bricks and mortar. The commitment and innovative curriculum, and strong community ties will make this revitalised campus a beacon of educational advancement. This is the future of learning; this is what excellence looks like.
Spread across the multi-level site, the new Yeovil College plans include a spacious new refectory, versatile lecture hall and performance spaces, and a quietly nestled inclusive learning department, which promises to offer top-tier teaching and learning accommodation for our most vulnerable learners: everyone deserves an inspirational place to learn, enhancing ambition and propelling progress.
Also embedded within the main teaching building, will be the Yeovil College University Centre, offering a dedicated and focused space for those advancing to higher education. This specialised centre recognises the unique needs of mature learners and provides an environment conducive to their academic growth, including quiet study areas, tailored support services, social spaces and reflective areas. The thoughtful design of these spaces ensures that students have not only the resources they need but also a supportive environment and holistic educational experience.
Economic Prosperity for South Somerset
Education is one of the major ingredients of driving economic prosperity for our region, and by providing a College, which can take this to the next level, economic prosperity will thrive.
Adam Clarke, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters UK, said: “Leonardo welcomes the news that Yeovil College has secured the ‘Big Build’ investment for its campus. Investing in the redevelopment of the College will not only enhance the educational experience for the students, who include many Leonardo trainees, it will also serve as a cornerstone for economic growth and the development of future skills within our community. Future skills are critical to Leonardo, as they will enrich our onshore helicopter manufacturing capability for the development of tomorrow’s aerospace technologies.”
Yeovil College, a beacon of educational excellence in Somerset, continues to empower students with a diverse range of academic and vocational programs. With a commitment to developing innovation and personal growth, the college offers state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive learning environment. As a hub of community engagement, the college also collaborates with local businesses and organizations to provide real-world opportunities and experiences, making it a cornerstone of the region’s educational landscape.
