Recently, I was pleased to have a look round the brand new Gloucestershire College Campus on the Northern Quarter in Cinderford, which has just started welcoming new students.
I was grateful to Principal & Chief Executive Matt Burgess, Chief Financial Officer Andy Bates, Director of Estates James Billingham and Sandra Tyrell, Site Principal, for taking me round their fantastic new site as the finishing touches were being made – complete with hard hat and hi-vis!
I have worked closely with the team at Gloucestershire College, the Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, the Gfirst LEP and other stakeholders for many years to help deliver the necessary Government funding for this project and it is great to see that they have now opened the doors to students.
Now that the College has opened, it will ensure we have a brand new further education college in the Forest of Dean, giving students access to the modern, up-to-date college facilities that they deserve, just like students that go to Gloucestershire College’s modern campuses in Gloucester and Cheltenham.
During my tour, I got to see contractors putting the finishing touches to the College and was amazed by the fantastic view of the lake from the Library suite. It must surely provide one of the best views from any College window in the country!
I was pleased to have a look at the café and restaurant area, where the catering students will serve members of the public using state of the art kitchen facilities.
It was also great to see one of the fully finished classrooms, complete with its high tech whiteboard and temperature controls which will ensure that each classroom can provide a comfortable learning experience, no matter what the Great British weather is doing outside.
I am very proud that we have a brand new College in the Forest of Dean. I look forward to re-visiting it soon now it is fully open and wish all students enrolling there an excellent first term.