Work has begun to erect the steel framework on a £27 million redevelopment plot at Cheadle College.
The first steels were signed by students, colleagues and partners before being lifted into place by contractor Willmott Dixon.
Scheduled for completion in Summer 2025, the new campus will provide a state-of-the-art educational environment designed to support and inspire students in their individual academic and vocational pursuits.
The multi-million-pound development will feature a purpose-built modern facility offering innovative and inspiring learning spaces tailored to a diverse range of courses, including Horticulture, Early Years and Health and Social Care.
The scheme will also support the college’s new industry-focused T Level programmes in Health, and Childcare and Education.
James Scott, Principal and CEO of The Trafford and Stockport College Group, of which Cheadle College is a part of, said:
“The first steels going up marks a pivotal milestone in the future of Cheadle College.
“Our ambition is to provide our students with an educational environment that can support and inspire them in their studies and a platform for their success in the future.
“As a college group we are enormously proud to have the ability to invest college and government funds into two educational institutions in Stockport in such a short space of time.”
Key highlights of the project include a new learning resource centre, comprehensive student services and dedicated social spaces. The campus will also feature specialist environments for the college’s Choices students, including a dedicated garden and sensory room.
In line with the college’s commitment to sustainability, the building’s design is inspired by nature and will incorporate numerous sustainable features, including PV panels, Air Source heat pumps, solar efficient glazing and energy efficient lighting controls.
A comprehensive colour strategy has also been applied to the plan to create neurodiverse, friendly environments for all.
Mr Scott added: “The college’s existing buildings and teaching spaces are outdated and would have required significant modernisation and reconfiguration to meet current and future educational needs.
“Given the impracticality and inefficiency of upgrading this aging infrastructure, the redevelopment offers a unique opportunity to construct a new campus with high-quality facilities.
“These new facilities will cater to a vast range of needs and significantly enhance the educational environment for our students.
“We look forward to seeing the project progress over the coming months and to welcoming our students into this exciting new facility in Summer 2025.”
The project, procured via the Procure Partnerships framework, will be delivered by construction company Willmott Dixon.
Mike Lane, Director of Operations for Willmott Dixon in the north, said:
“It was fantastic to see how enthusiastic and excited the students were to join us onsite, and our expert team of education specialists look forward to keeping them engaged and involved as we deliver their new building.
“This is a project being built by local people for local people and we are committed to investing £9.1m of our project spend with local businesses based within 20 miles of the college.
“We are passionate about creating employment opportunities and skills in this community and will deliver a Social Value Return on Investment of £7m. Within that, we will create 140 weeks of apprenticeships, 90 weeks of T-level placements, engage hundreds of local students and deliver our bespoke Building Lives Academy programmes, designed to upskill and inspire the college’s foundation learning students.
“We’ve already engaged more than 350 of the college’s students and, we are proud to be supporting three T-level students working within our business they as explore careers in construction.”
The Trafford and Stockport College Group received £20m of government funding for the project and is investing another £7m of its own equity.
Staff and students from Cheadle College with members of the Willmott Dixon team, signing the first steels at the £27m campus project.