Project
New College Doncaster
BAM Construction Limited on behalf of New Collaborative Trust
New College Doncaster is a sixth form college, delivered through the government’s free school programme to accommodate 1,200 pupils and approximately 100 staff. The development is supported by new outdoor teaching and social space, sports facilities, landscaping and on site car parking.
The scheme encourages and supports community use through enhanced accessible facilities and a building layout which can easily be zoned to access key facilities without needing to access the full college building. The building provides over 58 teaching spaces supported by a suite of administrative accommodation and ancillary spaces. A base of flexible general teaching spaces are provided for the delivery of academic subjects with specialist teaching spaces provided where required for the delivery of the curriculum, such as serviced science laboratory’s and specialist workshops for Visual Art and Dance, Drama and recording studio.
Lichfields developed a constructive working relationship with key officers at the Council which through negotiation achieved an acceptable planning permission, delivered on time within a 16 weeks period, crucial for the college so that they could open in time for the start of the academic year.
It's the first sixth form college, which I think is unique in this area. Doncaster has a lot of schools with smaller sixth forms, which can't always offer the same breadth of subjects. Our college offers A Levels and BTEC. "But I don't think it is just about the choice, I think it is also about culture. There are no younger students, no uniforms and no school bells. Everyone is on first name terms, including the teachers. We think it is somewhere between school and a university environment.
Brenden Fletcher, College Principal
Image credit: Ryder Architecture