By Isle of Wight Observer
Work has officially started on a £32.8 million transformation of the Isle of Wight College.
Partners, dignitaries and education leaders gathered in February to mark the groundbreaking of a new teaching facility, which will form a new entrance to the college.
The scheme, part of the Department for Education’s national schools construction framework, will deliver a new Welcome Hub and two-storey teaching block, with vocational learning spaces, flexible classrooms, industry-standard training kitchens and a training restaurant for students and the wider community.
It will also support performing arts, hospitality, travel and tourism, and a range of technical disciplines, giving students hands-on experience in settings that reflect industry environments.
Sustainability features will include green roofs, solar panels, rain gardens, sustainable drainage systems and the reuse of materials from the existing site.
Construction will take place in two phases, with completion expected in 2028.
Fidelma Washington, principal and chief executive officer, said: “This is more than just a building – it’s a symbol of aspiration, a hub for learning, development and enterprise, a place where young people, employers and our wider community can thrive and achieve great things together.”
Mal Butler