Dignitaries gather to celebrate official start of work
The official start of construction to bring a state-of-the-art, post-16 College to Cornwall was celebrated at a special cutting-of-the-turf ceremony on Tuesday.
*Images attached show dignitaries, including Truro and Penwith Chair of Governors Ellen Winser and College Principal David Walrond, joined by Mayor of Bodmin Lance Kennedy and Kier Operations Director Brian Rice, gathered to officially cut the first turf.
Callywith College, being constructed in the heart of Bodmin by specialist construction contractors Kier, will bring quality Further Education provision to young people across North East Cornwall. The College is being opened in association with Ofsted Outstanding Truro and Penwith College and received Department for Education funding and approval in February 2016.
Officially breaking ground at the 10-acre site was Truro and Penwith College Chair of Governors Ellen Winser, Principal David Walrond, Mayor of Bodmin Lance Kennedy and Brian Rice, Operations Director, Kier Construction, Devon & Cornwall.
They were joined by senior Kier representatives, local Cornwall Councillors, including Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Andrew Wallis and Better Bodmin Chairman Phil Ugalde.
Principal David Walrond said the development reflected the college’s clear commitment to respond to significant growth in demand for places, and to address the issues of long and costly travel for many current and prospective learners.
“I am delighted that we are now able to respond to the wishes and interests of learners and their families in the wide areas of Cornwall that the new college serves, and to meet the needs of local business and employers. The demand for something new and different in post-16 provision is not just about raising levels of achievement and skills, it is about driving the wider Cornish economy which depends on these things,” he said.
Ellen Winser, Chair of Governors at Truro and Penwith College added: “The College has always invested in improving achievement and life chances in Cornwall and Callywith is a very significant investment indeed. It is the college’s strong track record of delivering higher achievement and boosting aspiration which has attracted such significant additional investment into Cornwall for Callywith. We know that the economic and social returns on this co-investment are very great, and that Callywith is going to make a real difference.”
The construction of the new facility will incorporate the latest sustainable building materials.
Brian Rice, Operations Director, Kier Construction, Devon & Cornwall commented: “Today is a very special day, the collective team effort and hard work which has gone towards making this project happen has been inspiring. It’s very exciting to get started on site and as you walk around site you can already start to get a feel of what a wonderful facility the new Callywith College will provide for Bodmin and the surrounding area. We very much look forward to seeing the doors open to the first students in 2017.”
Mayor of Bodmin Lance Kennedy said Callywith College signified a new beginning for Bodmin. He said: “I think this is a mark of Bodmin’s future,” he said. “Education is vitally important and this development shows Bodmin is an educational and employment centre and a future centre for Cornwall.”
Phil Ugalde, Chairman of the Better Bodmin group, said the new College was an integral part of Bodmin’s future plans. He said: “The development of Callywith College is a tremendous stamp of confidence in Bodmin as a town. Its impact will be to raise education standards in the town which will impact on business and, long-term, in bringing more investment into the town. “Better Bodmin has put in an Expression of Interest for a Food Enterprise Zone for the town directly opposite the College so we hope the College can be a big part in helping that Enterprise Zone grow, assuming we’re successful with it, and we hope the College will work with other specialist providers to also support our ambitions in the food industry.”
Cornwall Councillor and portfolio holder for Children and Young People Andrew Wallis said: “This is a hugely important project for education and skills for our young people. It’s not often you can turn up and see a purpose built College being built and this will give young people a huge opportunity to reach their full potential. “Cornwall Council already works closely with Truro and Penwith College as part of our Raising Aspiration and Achievement Strategy (RAAS), we can only improve the educational journey for our young people by working together from pre-school up to FE and HE. Working together we will give a better education experience to our young people in Cornwall.”
Bodmin Cornwall Councillor Steve Rogerson: It’s great to see it taking shape. It will be an asset to the town and we are very much looking forward to seeing the first tranche of students go through in 2017. It will be very exciting for us. It reflects Bodmin’s strategic importance in Cornwall and will give educational opportunities to other young people in areas around Bodmin.”
Fellow Bodmin Cornwall Councillor Pat Rogerson added: “I am just delighted that such a prestigious initiative has come to Bodmin to offer more choice for young people.” Cornwall Councillor for Lanivet and Blisland Chris Batters said: “It’s a major project for the area and has to be congratulated on the design – it’s a superb building and all the facilities that go with it, 4G pitches and all.”
Cian Spowart, Director of PBWC Architects who designed the site, said: “'PBWC Architects are delighted to be involved in the design and development of the new Callywith Campus, Bodmin. We have continued our strong working relationship with the College and are pleased to be part of this next stage of the growth. “The masterplan for the site is based around creating a heart space at the centre of the site providing clear connections between the buildings and sports pitch. The buildings continue the strong architectural language created on the Truro and Penwith Campuses sites and we are excited that the project is now starting to take shape on site. We look forward to seeing it completed in summer 2017.”
The new Callywith College will offer a variety of A Level and Diploma and Progression courses. Applications will open in the Autumn. It is due to open to its first intake of students in September 2017 and will provide quality provision for up to 650 young people, with an expected first year intake of 335.