West Nottinghamshire College to open doors of new refurbished Mansfield campus

Thanks to almost £500,000 of funding, learners will be able to move the college’s refurbished town centre campus on Chesterfield Road where state-of-the-art science laboratories, newly-equipped classrooms together with social and support areas, are being designed with the academic needs of A-level students in mind.

Work at the building, which is being launched as Mansfield and Ashfield Sixth Form College, is underway, ready to open up to 550 A-level students and another 120 students who are studying Access to Higher Education in the next academic year.

This investment, supported by a capital grant from the Department for Education, along with the new automation and robotics course and the college’s partnership with Nottingham Trent University, forms a core part of the college’s vision to raise aspirations and create the workforce of the future for the communities of Mansfield, Ashfield and the surrounding areas.

Amanda Gleadall, head of academic studies, said: “This dedicated college for A-levels is going to enhance the academic studies curriculum no end.

"The opportunity for young people to have the choice of 20 A-level subjects plus the new vocational add-on option, all on one refurbished campus, means they can tailor their future learning pathway to suit their strengths.

“Those taking science-based subjects will benefit from four fully-equipped science laboratories, there will be tailored support facilities such as a fully-stocked library and research zones, a bright atrium-style diner, social areas for relaxation and a wealth of pastoral support such as health and wellbeing advisors and achievement coaches.”

Andrew Cropley, college principal and chief executive, said: “We’re very excited to be launching the new sixth form college on Chesterfield Road which has been a centre for education in the town for more than 100 years.

“We are determined to create a centre of real academic excellence, which will help propel the young people of our local communities into exciting and rewarding futures.

“This further development of our estate will help to ensure our campuses remain inspirational places to learn for generations to come.

"It will also free up more space on our Derby Road campus to ensure we can continue to provide outstanding facilities for our students studying there.”