Northumberland College recently celebrated its ‘transformational journey’ over the last three years at a prestigious event held at its Kirkley Hall Campus in Ponteland and announced the next phase of its ambitious journey.
During the Northumberland Vision event, which was attended by community, employer and government stakeholders, CEO Ellen Thinnesen spoke about the extensive multi-million-pound investment programme that has substantially improved facilities and performance at Northumberland College. Ellen also unveiled ambitious plans that will further transform technical skills education throughout the county and support economic growth into the future.
Over the last three years, major capital investments at Northumberland College have included a new build for young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability), and an impressive new build equestrian centre. The college has equally benefited from impressive new veterinary science laboratories, zoological training facilities and a major refurbishment of residential student accommodation. Investment in new facilities for careers guidance, student welfare and counselling has also been welcomed along with the completion of a major estates infrastructure and demolition programme.
However, the future is bright for Northumberland College and the college group it belongs to, as the next phase of the college’s development programme (known as Vision Northumberland) is set to commence.
Ellen Thinnesen, CEO for Education Partnership North East, said:
“At merger and along with the college’s brilliant staff and partners, we promised we would transform Northumberland College. It was a joy to be able to share with our VIPs the significant Ofsted endorsed progress that has been made during the last three years. We have not only delivered a significant investment programme to improve learning environments for students and staff, we have also transformed the educational outcomes of our students with 94% progressing into employment or higher-level study.
“Our future is exciting, and it was a joy to share the next phase of ‘Vision Northumberland’, an ambitious programme that will see a world class new college build in Ashington, supported by the Department for Education, and further strategic investments in engineering, agriculture, agri-tech and technical skills at our Kirkley Hall campus”.
“I am deeply grateful to a number of key stakeholders and organisations. The VIP event was an opportunity to thank them for their continued support including the Department for Education, Northumberland County Council, Akzo Nobel, Advance Northumberland, Bernicia Group, Britishvolt, and LEAF Demonstration Farm (Renner Farming).”
Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council, Councillor Richard Wearmouth, said:
“The progress and investments that have been made at Northumberland College in recent years, by the new leadership team and board, have been fantastic. The college’s transformation has provided a huge boost to the economy and skills education throughout Northumberland and beyond.”
Michael Black, Director of Economic Growth and Investments at Advance Northumberland, said:
“It was an immense honour to be invited to this prestigious event and great to see such fantastic commitment and enthusiasm from Ellen and the team at Education Partnership North East. Vision Northumberland is a bold and ambitious programme and here at Advance Northumberland, we are proud to be supporting the development of the new Ashington Campus.
“Investment on this scale will guarantee that Northumberland College continues to deliver the very best technical skills education, not just for Ashington, but across the county to ensure students can benefit from the many exciting new employment opportunities coming into Northumberland.”
Prominent businessperson and property developer, Sir John Hall, said:
“At last, after many years in the making, Ashington and North Northumberland are to have a modern, up to date college for our future generations. More importantly, it will be operated by a go-ahead educational partnership that has vision and enthusiasm for the future.
“It has been said many times that education can change the world, I look forward to Education Partnership North East being part of a movement to take this great region into the fourth industrial revolution. The college carries all of our hopes and aspirations to help make this a reality.”
It was announced earlier this year that Northumberland College has acquired a 5.7-acre site on Wansbeck Business Park to relocate its award-winning provision at Ashington. The Department for Education (DfE) will develop the new campus on behalf of the college.
Further investment plans for Northumberland College include a Berwick Community College and enhancing access to skills provision across the county.
We are the largest further education provider in Northumberland with campuses throughout the county.
Our student transport scheme is available for eligible students to make getting to and from college as easy as possible.
Our extensive re-development programme will create outstanding new facilities.
EPNE has won the National Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Award for Inclusion in Further and Higher Education.
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service recently visited Northumberland College for several days of specialist livestock rescue training.
Northumberland College are to host a community-focused event, bringing together the local area and wider community.