Planning For The Future
QE is looking at options for expanding its premises. At present more than 1800 students attend the College, but demand is expected to increase over the next 5-7 years due to changes in the delivery of 14-19 education and the proposed raising of the school leaving age. As one of the country’s leading sixth form colleges, QE is keen to ensure that its facilities are up to date and capable of meeting the requirements of a changing curriculum and the needs of learners. The College is already working closely with Darlington Council to raise attainment in the Borough and has therefore approached the Council to see if it can purchase part of the neighbouring Arts Centre.
Having examined various possibilities including expansion on its current site and relocation to a new site, the College’s preferred option is to purchase land and some buildings to the rear of the Arts Centre. This would amount to 0.5 acres of Arts Centre land, part of which includes the Young People’s Theatre. Should members of Darlington Council’s Cabinet agree to the purchase of the land in principle when it meets on December 2, the College will look at ways of re-providing this facility within the sixth form, as part of its development of community access.
Tim Fisher, Principal of QE commented:
"To continue as a centre of excellence for post 16 education and to provide the best possible opportunities for the people of Darlington, it is essential that we expand and upgrade our premises and facilities. Education is changing and we must be in a position to be flexible, to innovate and be responsive to government initiatives. We already use a number of rooms in the Arts Centre and the purchase of this land - adjacent to our existing buildings - seems the best way to meet our needs."
Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
"QE is amongst the best in the country. It provides further education for young people from across the Borough and the numbers studying there have increased over a number of years. Developing and expanding the College will increase the opportunities for all young people, aged 14 to 19, from all over Darlington. It will raise the already high attainment being achieved there and will ensure that the College remains an excellent place to learn with high progression rates to university."
November 25, 2008