ALTON College has announced plans this week to build a £2.2 million science centre in the middle of its campus.
According to college principal Michael Gray, the Beacon Science Centre will give the college one of the most advanced facilities of its kind for sixth form students in the country.
He told The Herald: ÒScience is particularly strong at Alton College. Last year Ofsted inspectors graded sciences ÒoutstandingÓ and we are very keen to invest in this success to ensure that our sixth formers have facilities that are second to none.Ó
Once the Beacon Centre is up and running the plan is for the current science laboratories to be converted to general teaching purposes, enabling the college to take out of use a number of temporary classrooms.
Plans of the new development, drawn up by the collegeÕs architect, Mark Penfold of Macallan Penfold, will be available for inspection at an exhibition to be held at the Alton College Forum building on Tuesday, May 6, from 5 pm to 7 pm to which those interested are warmly invited.
ÒThis will be another very significant capital investment by the governing body,Ó said Mr Gray. ÒIt underlines their confidence in the nature of the college as one of the leading providers in sixth form education in the country.Ó
The project is expected to attract support for about a third of its cost from the Learning and Skills Council now that the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has awarded Alton College ÒBeacon StatusÓ.