Exeter College lifts the trophy for Engagement with Employers at prestigious Beacon Awards

Exeter College has won the much-coveted City & Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers at the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards, the most prestigious awards in further education.

The AoC Beacon Awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year. This award is supported by City & Guilds and seeks to recognise examples of colleges who are responsive to the needs of employers and their region, demonstrate a whole college approach and who demonstrate systematic networking and collaboration with other organisations.

The College and Great Western Railway (GWR) forged a relationship based on shared values and focus on their customers. The partnership between the College and Great Western Railway which originated in 2017, was ambitious from the outset. Adoption of a commercial mind set by the College and significant investment on both sides has enabled both GWR and College to support each other’s aims and ambitions. There is a shared clear long-term vision, enabling the development of a vibrant learning community of both Apprentices and College staff with a mutual passion for professional development and thirst for knowledge. Shared values of ambition, collaboration and enthusiasm have driven Apprenticeship growth in GWR.

This Partnership has succeeded in developing exceptional Apprenticeship programmes, not only driving knowledge, skills, and behaviours, but also building confidence, Apprentice voice and giving economic opportunity to a diverse group of learners across a geographically dispersed area.

Rob Bosworth, Jenny Vince, Mike Blakely and Lucinda Sanders with the Beacon Award

Mike Blakeley, Director of Future Skills, and Apprenticeships at Exeter College, said:

“We celebrate the engagement and partnership of over 1050 employers here at Exeter College. They are a vibrant element of our organisation and help us shape our skills offer and support 1000’s of our students with employment and progression opportunities. The Association of Colleges Beacon Award for engagement with employers is hotly contested every year. To be shortlisted was an honour and after an arduous judging visit, we are delighted to have been recognised as the top college in the country for our endeavours.”

He added, “The focus of our submission was our extensive partnership with GWR. It is a truly unique collaboration that supports hundreds of Apprentices across the rail network. The award recognises the outstanding work of both GWR and Exeter College staff who all work tirelessly to support our Apprentices and I want to thank them all for their outstanding contribution to our learning community and partnership.”

Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive John Laramy CBE, said:

“Our aim is to work with employers, not as provider, but as a true partner which makes a difference to their business. This National Award, is the highest accolade available in the Further Education Sector, related to working with employers.

“To have won this prestigious award for our extensive partnership with GWR is a fantastic achievement for the College, our staff, our apprentices and our wider employer partners – I would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved.”

Mark White, Chair of AoC’s Charitable Trust, said:

“The AoC Beacon Awards showcase exactly why colleges are so important to every community and why people value them. This award recognises examples of excellent practical teaching and learning. The work of the winning college shows how important colleges are in providing students with the necessary skills for the real world.”

Exeter College Acting Students to Perform Romeo and Juliet

“Welcome to Verona…” as what once was just a tragic love story of two star crossed lovers has become a lively new take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet by Exeter College UAL Level 3 Acting learners.

Love or Lust? Fate or Freewill? Events over a matter of days lead our star-crossed lovers to their death. As feuding families set upon destruction, two teenagers wrestle to work out who they are and where they stand in a broken society. In an exciting re-imagined adaptation, new stories are told, and questions are asked about what being human really means. In a world where chaos runs rampant, division is rife as generation’s struggle to communicate. Shakespeare’s original play is explored through fresh eyes asking questions about the world that we live in today.

The performance provides the culmination of the learners 2 years study on the colleges full time actor training programme. Graduating students will be progressing directly into industry, university or drama school. Learners this year have already received offers from East 15, Italia Conti, Rose Bruford, Central Film school and numerous universities.

Assistant director Isabella Cassar, who has just received an offer from Chichester University to study BA Hons Contemporary Theatre said: ‘Tackling a narrative as esteemed as ‘Romeo & Juliet’ was always going to be a challenge. Particularly, when concerning how to make this interpretation feel fresh within the context of Elizabethan society. It is a play that has been redone countless times and when originally engaging with the text – I was almost stunted to find ways to relate it. We made a breakthrough by stripping the text down to a simple question: why is this story of “two star crossed lovers” still so successful with audiences? It was through considering the relevance of the text today that led to how the company’s interpretation could follow, focusing upon the most universal theme of all – humanity. The most potent themes I have identified in the play would be that of such stark human qualities – love, death, and hatred. The play is full of juxtapositions and conflict which only makes the narrative feel more real and relatable as truly mirrors a human experience’

*The students at rehearsals for the show*

Lecturer and UAL Acting Programme Manager Nigel Paul said ‘It’s been fantastic to finally get back into the rehearsal room and create live theatre with a company of actors in training. Throughout they have consistently asked questions of the piece and how we make it relevant to the world that we live in today. I have been touched and inspired by their sensitive handling of issues around intimacy and gender – both of which are highly relevant topics within today’s industry. The piece has been casted gender blind which led towards finally casting 3 separate sets of Romeo and Juliet – playing 2 shows each. This has resulted in each show delivering a refreshing and crisp insight into the world that the central characters are navigating.’

Romeo and Juliet will be the first production in Exeter College’s newly refurbished Yard Theatre. The piece also forms part of Cygnet Theatre’s Dream Festival – a celebratory city-wide arts festival to mark Cygnet’s 40th anniversary. The production runs from 11 – 14 May at 7pm with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2pm.

All tickets are £10 and can be purchased here.

For more information contact:

Exeter College nigelpaul@exe-coll.ac.uk

Dream Festival dreamfestivalcygnet@gmail.com

Exeter College launch NHS Hidden Careers Day 

Exeter College has taken the lead in supporting the NHS in providing a future workforce. The College were delighted to host the first ‘NHS Hidden Careers Day’ on Friday 25^th March 2022, organised in partnership with the NHS. 

The second in a series of ‘Hidden Career’ days to be held at Exeter College, this event was designed to support student progression into employment whilst highlighting the critical roles within the NHS that can be overlooked. 

It followed the success of ‘Rail Day’ held in November 2021 which shined a spotlight on “hidden” roles within the rail industry, organised in partnership with Great Western Railway.  

A diverse and ambitious programme of events saw guests from NHS Improvement, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust and the South Western Ambulance Service delivering meaningful workshops to Exeter College students about a variety of career pathways in the NHS, including Engineering, Catering & Nutrition, Therapy & Cardiac Services, IT and Business.  

Phillip Shelley, Chair of the NHS Food Review, attended the day, delivering an engaging talk to Sport & Fitness and Hospitality students on the importance of food within healthcare and the link between food and recovery. 

“Having the ability to share the opportunities and challenges of nutrition and hydration within healthcare is vital if we are to raise awareness within our regions and across the country. Strengthening our links with our young people helps to identify topics, career prospects and development within the NHS. 

Hospitals aim to be a beacon within their community, whether this is for patient care, workforce or skill enhancement – I hope that the Exeter College students identified a glimpse of passion from us today, which could draw them into a significant health service career.” 

Phillip Shelley  

 In addition, Exeter College students were delighted to receive inspiring words from Great British Bake Off’s Prue Leith about the benefits of pursuing a catering career in the NHS.  

In total, over 500 students participated in the event across 4 Exeter College locations. Sessions not only identified routes into the NHS and showcased the training and progression opportunities available, but also gave students the opportunity to speak directly to NHS professionals.  

This event is a strong example of how Exeter College strives to deliver excellent career guidance through regular engagement with employers. The combined partnership between Exeter College and local NHS Trusts has seen exceptional success, with over 400 Apprentices enrolled and 98% of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust learners undertaking the CMI Team Lead Apprenticeship achieving a distinction. This partnership has enabled people across the South West to enter the sector, develop in their current role and progress onto meaningful careers within Health. 

 “Employer partnerships are incredibly important to the College and the NHS is not only a great partner, but a key part of the Exeter eco-system, which touches all of our lives in some way.  This event has been a real success with students leaving better equipped and  more informed about their next steps and the variety of  careers, opportunities and choices within the NHS. This is just the start of what we hope will be a regular event. 

I would like to thank all of the NHS staff involved for giving up their valuable time to educate and inspire those who could become the next generation of NHS professionals” 

John Laramy 

After the success of this event, the Exeter College ‘Hidden Careers’ series is set to continue, with a local authority careers day next on the agenda.  If you would like to find out more about careers in the NHS or ‘Hidden Careers’ events, please email apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk. 

Exeter College and Radio Exe celebrate Devon’s Outstanding Apprentice Employers

In partnership with Radio Exe, Exeter College hosted a celebratory lunch at their student-run restaurant @thirty-four for the winners of the Employer Apprenticeship Awards 2021.

The awards, held in November 2021, celebrated Devon’s exemplar Apprenticeship employers, highlighting the businesses that go above and beyond in helping their Apprentices succeed.

Five awards were open to entries, including Devon’s Outstanding Tutor, Devon’s Apprentice Champion, and Small, Medium and Large Business Employer.

A panel of judges including representatives from Radio Exe shortlisted 3 finalists, with overall winners voted for by the public and Radio Exe listeners.

Exeter College work with over 950 businesses across the South West, so it is no small feat to be a winner in the Employer Apprenticeship Awards.
Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Future Skills

The winners were announced on air during Radio Exe’s Matt Roger’s Breakfast show on Thursday 4^th November, during which Matt called Devon’s Outstanding Tutor, Gill McGill, live to deliver the good news.

The winners were:

Devon’s Outstanding Tutor: Gill McGill, Exeter College

Apprentice Champion: Caroline Milner, Combe Pafford School

Large Business: Devon County Council

Medium Business: Simpkins Edwards LLP

Small Business: The Mortgage Quarter

Apprentice Champion 1 – Caroline Milner, John Laramy

Apprentice Champion 2 – Caroline Milner, Sam Swann

Large Business winner 4 – Devon County Council – Hayden Boatman, Kimberley Lewis, Amy Kyme

Meduim Business winner 1 – Simpkin Edwards LLP

Meduim Business winner 2 – Simpkin Edwards LLP

Outstanding Tutor 1 – Gill McGill, John Laramy

Small Business winner 2 – The Mortagage Quarter – Richard Gigg, Charlie Hart, Ellie Hensley-Jones

Small Business winner 3 – The Mortagage Quarter – Richard Gigg, Charlie Hart, Ellie Hensley-Jones

All winners and guests were invited to attend Exeter College’s @thirty-four restaurant for a celebratory lunch on Wednesday 16^th March 2022. @thirty-four is run by young chefs and waiting staff who are all students studying Hospitality & Catering at Exeter College.

This exciting event brought together representatives from the winning organisations, Exeter College and Radio Exe. Trophies were presented by Exeter College Principal and CEO John Laramy.

“Exeter College work with over 950 businesses across the South West, so it is no small feat to be a winner in the Employer Apprenticeship Awards. Each winner is well worthy of this outstanding recognition.

Testament to this is that the businesses chose to bring their current Apprentices to the lunch, truly putting young people at the heart of the celebration.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.”

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Future Skills

Exeter College are excited to announce that their annual Apprentice and Employer Awards will be returning this summer for their fifth year. For more information about these awards or for details about Apprenticeship schemes, please contact apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400 800.

Exeter College Men’s U18 Rugby Team become AOC Sport Champions of England and Wales

Last night the Exeter College Men’s U18 rugby squad headed to the home of Exeter Chiefs to play a spectacular final against Ivybridge Community College in the AoC Premier League National Finals, grounding out a victory to retain the AoC Premier League title.

Premiership rugby ground, Sandy Park, was the perfect venue for these two Devon colleges to go to head-to-head in what was an eventful final match and with over 1000 spectators, they did not disappoint.

Academy Coach, Keith Brooking said; “Last night showed how strong age group rugby in Devon is. For two local colleges to get to the final of a national competition is great to see. For the Exeter Chiefs and the AOC to allow the final to be played at Sandy Park was amazing and with a great crowd and atmosphere it highlighted the appetite for age group rugby in the area.

“The actual game was a great final with the result in the balance right until the final whistle and from a coaches point of view it was interesting to see what pressure does to a player. Both teams played their part in a great final with Ivybridge College having the majority of the territory and possession and playing some clever rugby while Exeter College showed their courage in defending their line time and time again.

“From an Exeter Chiefs Academy view point it was excellent to see players from all over the County giving their all on the Sandy Park pitch and you never know we might see some of them on there again at some point.’

Exeter College celebrating winning the AoC Premier League National Finals

With a strong start from both teams, it was clear the teams were evenly matched with neither team giving each other an inch of ground in the first 20 minutes. That soon changed with Ivybridge scoring at 24 mins and by half time it was 5-10 to Ivybridge.

Exeter raced into the second half with renewed vigour and quickly scored again bringing it to 12-10 to Exeter. The next 15 minutes saw Ivybridge camped in the Exeter 22 with Exeter struggling to clear their lines and giving penalties away at the breakdown. However, some spirited defence kept Ivybridge out, and twice they were held up over the line to keep the score line at 12-10.

Ivybridge launched a number of attacks after further penalty infringements and a yellow card for Exeter. However, some more resolute defence and a turnover ball saw an end to the encounter with prop Tom Gulley able to show his footballing skills, kicking the ball into a packed main grandstand at a raucous Sandy Park. A fitting end for Gulley, one of nine second years in the 22-man Exeter squad who pulled on the Exeter College jersey for the last time last night.

Exeter College Coach, Jon Fabian, commented after the game:

“Before the game, we said that we wanted the players to enjoy themselves, be proud of the performance they’ve put in and come back into the changing room with a win. When we look back at the game, we controlled the early possession, but the Ivybridge defence held us out and we eventually found ourselves 10-0 down. It was vital to us to get on the scoreboard just before half-time and this was just what we did with a great move from the back line.

“In the second half, after we scored early on, the territory was controlled in a much better manner by the Ivybridge side, but the fight and character showed by our guys in defence was absolutely amazing. It was this aspect which ultimately decided the result of the game, after Ivybridge spent 20 minutes in our 22 without adding to their first half score line. Although we won the game, a huge amount of credit must go to the Ivybridge side, who played an unbelievable game and showed such huge character.”

Exeter College Men’s U18’s Starting Line Up

Callum Arnold

Jack Ballett (Co-Captain)

Tom Gulley

Jake Martin

Ed Spurway

Sam Putman

Ethan Millard

Charlie Parr

Morgan Stone

Bobby Wigginton

Freddie Bridger

Zack Wimbush

Jeremy Tuima

Jude Baker-Hands

Charlie Groves

Reps:

Louie Gulley (Co-Captain)

Joe Thomson

Harry Rodwell

Pip Burton-Race

James Dodge

Freddie Blackburn

Kofi Firth

Free Advanced Manufacturing course launched for adults at Exeter College

Exeter College is proud to be offering adult learners (18+) the opportunity to retrain for a career in Advanced Manufacturing by taking part in a FREE part-time course.

Starting from 27 April 2022, this is a 10-week course, funded in full by the Government and delivered in partnership with HepcoMotion in Tiverton.

The free Advanced Manufacturing course focuses on developing practical skills for the workplace and will consist of a two day per week learning experience with our subject specialist lecturers at Exeter College and experience of working within HepcoMotion.

Engineering student working — An engineering warehouse at our Technology Centre

The course will cover:

Awareness of Health and Safety in Manufacturing
Completing milling tasks
Completing turning tasks
Learning how to programme a CNC system

By the end of the course, students will have produced a portfolio of evidence and will be able to attend a job interview for a genuine vacancy in the industry, backed up by the skills learnt during the course. The portfolio will provide employers with evidence of your new skillset.

Applying for the course is easy – simply fill this form in and our team will be in touch!

Want to know more?

Read all about it here.

Got any questions?

Need help with deciding on your pathway or have any more questions? Contact the Adult Learning Advisers on AdultAdvice@exe-coll.ac.uk

Exeter College Honoured to be Awarded Queen’s Anniversary Prize

Exeter College was honoured to be awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education last year. By kind permission of HM The Queen, John Laramy, Exeter College’s Principal and Chief Executive and other senior members of college staff were delighted to be officially awarded with the Prize Medal and Certificate on Thursday 17 February 2022 at St James’s Palace in London.

Exeter College earned the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a further education college for its strategic approach and work towards being a digital college and driving a skills revolution that has impacted on many areas of the college and region.

The award recognises the College’s excellence in embedding digital technology through curriculum innovation, national work to help shape the digital agenda within colleges, working with employers to help others, staff digital training and throughout many areas of the College.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales presenting Bindu Arjoon, Chair of Governors at Exeter College, with a Queen's Anniversary Prize. — His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales presenting Bindu Arjoon, Chair of Governors at Exeter College, with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize.

John Laramy CBE, Exeter College’s Principal and Chief Executive said:

“The dinner, in the historic setting of the London Guildhall, was a really magical moment, as we were able to celebrate winning the award with amazing winners and key stakeholders from across Further and Higher Education.

“I was very pleased indeed that a number of staff from right across the College were able to attend the dinner, as our approach to ‘digital’ really is a whole team effort. We were awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize by the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, at St. James’s Palace. This event was made even more special, as three of our students from various ‘digital’ programmes were able to join us.

“I would like to thank everyone at Exeter College who contributed to this award, the Royal Anniversary Trust and all those involved with the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Further and Higher Education. The recognition of a Queen’s Award is a truly fantastic moment for all of us at Exeter College.”

Exeter College has a proven track record of digital delivery and excellence, being graded Outstanding by Ofsted, achieving Gold (the top rating) for its Higher Education provision by the Teaching Excellence Framework and being selected by the Department for Education (DfE) to share digital skills with other colleges and schools by becoming an Education Technology (EdTech) Demonstrator College.

Exeter College students at St James's Palace. — Exeter College students also attended the prize giving at St James’s Palace.

Empowering students to reach their digital optimum is something the College has been pioneering through their Personal Development Programmes. Working with the international award-winning programme, known as iDEA, Exeter College has helped students and staff develop and demonstrate their digital skills through a series of short, interactive online modules (iDEA badges), created by industry experts. In just two months the number of students gaining iDEA badges jumped from 10,926 to 22,194, demonstrating the College’s and students’ commitment to enhancing digital skills.

Investments continued this year by the opening of their £10.3m Digital and Data Centre as part of the South West Institute of Technology and supported by two local anchor employers, the Met Office, and Oxygen House – strengthening links with employers and developing a specialist building that is intended to be the regional centre of digital excellence.

Exeter College being presented with a Queen's Anniversary Prize at St James's Palace. — Exeter College being presented with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize at St James’s Palace.

Working with the Local Enterprise Partnership allowed Exeter College to pilot the new Government ‘Digital Bootcamps’ initiative for adults. These short courses were hugely popular with 300 students applying for only 107 places. Due to popular demand the college is continuing these Bootcamps for adult students who wish to improve their digital skills.

The digital industry is one of growth, opportunity, and ambition. Exeter College is proud to be forward thinking and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved within education – winning such a prestigious award not only cements the College’s position as one of the leading colleges in the UK, but also shows that the College is ready to play its part in shaping the future.

Festival of Carols 2021

Date: Thursday 2 December 2021
Location: Exeter Cathedral
Timings: Doors open 18.30, 19.30 start
Admission: Free with pre-booked ticket, donations to college charity Cancer Research UK welcomed

Exeter College’s annual Festival of Carols is back! We will be celebrating the start of the festive season in the stunning setting of Exeter Cathedral, complete with a candlelit procession through the nave and performances from Exeter College students, orchestra and choir.

The event is open to all but please register for your free tickets here if you would like to attend. Collection boxes will be available on the night for donations to the college’s nominated Charity of the Year, Cancer Research UK.

As a college, we are proud to support Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest charity dedicated to saving lives through research. The charity’s main vision is to bring forward the date when all cancers are cured, funding pioneering research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all strains of the disease.

As we approach the Christmas period, the Festival of Carols represents an opportunity to support patients and their families during what can be an especially difficult time of year for those suffering with cancer.

The Festival of Carols gives Exeter College the opportunity to get people in the Christmas spirit while raising donations for an important cause. We will be showcasing some of the exceptional talents of students across a number of faculties, including Foundation Studies, Media and Performing Arts and from the college’s Centre of Music and Performance.

This year the Festival of Carols will be held at Exeter Cathedral on Thursday 2 December with doors opening at 18.30 for a 19.30 start.

The event will follow the latest government guidance for COVID-19 and a specific risk assessment is in place to reduce the risk of transmission for everyone’s safety. Any changes to the guidance that may affect the event will be considered, actioned and communicated accordingly.

The service is free to attend and open to anyone who would like to come along and celebrate with us. As this is a slightly different year, we will be offering free tickets through an online booking system.

If you would like to attend, please register for your free tickets here.

With thanks to Taylor Lewis for their support.

Exeter College’s Construction Centre extension welcomes new T Level students

Exeter College’s new Construction Centre extension has welcomed its first cohort of Construction T Level students following a £1million transformation creating a bespoke learning area for the new qualification.

Exeter College is one of the first providers in the country – and the only one in Devon – to offer T Levels for the 2020 academic year, with two year, full time courses now running in Construction, Digital and Education and Childcare.

“Our T Level learners will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers need and will be the talent of the future.”
Sam Hillman, Assistant Principal

T Levels follow on from GCSEs and are set to revolutionise the technical education landscape, providing learners with a qualification that is the equivalent to three A Levels and combines classroom-based learning with 20% of time spent on an industry placement. T Levels can be used to move directly in to industry or to support an application to university. Further T Level courses are set to be rolled out across the country in the coming years, providing additional study routes in a variety of industries.

The extension in the Construction Centre makes space for a new computer suite, as well as an electrical workshop and testing area for students. Underneath the mezzanine is a painting and decorating room and workshop for teaching trades. The renovation also includes a new café and staffroom. 

The extra space has also led to the conversion of the Learning Resource Centre. This will become two bespoke teaching rooms, each boasting 15 brand new specialist Computer Aided Design (CAD) computers. These facilities will provide Exeter College’s Construction T Level students with industry standard technology, software and packages for the design and project management side of the new course. 

The folding acoustic partition separating these two classrooms also means that this new space can easily transform into one large seminar room, where all learners can learn together. This will give the College flexibility in terms of numbers and how to deliver certain aspects of the new qualification. 

Sam Hillman, Assistant Principal at Exeter College, said, “We are very excited to be one of the first FE providers in the country and the only College in Devon to deliver T Levels.

“Learners studying with us on a T Level will benefit from subject specialist teachers who have worked in industry as well as have access to state of the art facilities and resources.

“Our T Level learners will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers need and will be the talent of the future.”

Dave O’Connor, Head of Construction at Exeter College, said, “The investment in facilities will provide our T Level learners with bespoke training areas supported with state-of-the-art technology to really enhance the teaching and learning experience. Our industry specialist staff can take teaching to the next level and we’re all excited about delivering this new qualification.”

The T Level qualification will consist of 80% of time spent in the classroom gaining technical and theoretical skills and the remaining 20% is a valuable placement in industry.

Dave explained, “The College has Industry Placement Liaison Officers to create all the partnerships with local businesses to create these placement opportunities. Students will generally spend four days in College and have one day working in the industry.

“The bespoke industry placement will support students and will help to create the next wave of civil engineers. We’re excited to help students create a career for themselves and make a big difference in society.”

Applications to join Exeter College in September 2021 are open now, with a total of ten T Levels set to be offered, including in Design and Surveying, Healthcare Science and Science.

Find out more about T Levels with Exeter College.

Request our 2021/22 School Leavers’ Course Guide for information on every course we’re offering for the next academic year.

Register now to find out more about the subjects that interest you at Exeter College, including information on our next live interactive seminars.

Exeter College Masterplan Shortlisted in Michelmores Property Awards 2020

Exeter College’s ambitious campus Masterplan, which places a vision for what the College’s sites will look like over the next 20 years, has been shortlisted in the prestigious Michelmores Property Awards 2020.

The awards, which is now in its 18^th year, celebrate the most prestigious, innovative and exciting developments taking place in the South West and the Exeter College Masterplan has been shortlisted in the ‘Masterplanning for the Future’ category.

“Our Masterplan is about investing in education in this region and investing in the skills that learners need to thrive in the economy of the future.”
Steve Strang, Director of Estates and Information Technology

As part of the College’s Masterplan, which has been approved unanimously by Exeter City Council, the College has set out a plan to meet the ambitions of the city of Exeter and the wider region in the coming years. This includes an overarching estates investment that will revolutionise the College’s sites, including the eventual demolition of the College’s iconic Tower Building to be replaced with state-of-the-art specialist learning centres.

The Masterplan is already seeing its vision be realised, with the first phase of development – a new Digital and Data Centre as part of the South West Institute of Technology – currently under construction at the College’s Hele Road site.

Other developments set to take place as part of the Masterplan over the next 20 years includes a new pedestrian walkway from St David’s Station to the city centre and to better utilise the College’s green spaces on campus for maximum benefit to learners and the wider community.

The Masterplan follows on from the College’s recent inspirational build projects in recent years, including a specialist Maths and Science Centre in 2015, a Gym and Dance Studio in 2019 and a £1million mezzanine in the Construction Centre to aid with the delivery of T Levels from September 2020.

Winners of the Michelmores Property Awards 2020 will be announced on November 12^th with details on the virtual awards ceremony set to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Exeter College Masterplan places a vision for the future of the College’s sites over the next 20 years.

Exeter College Director of Estates and Information Technology Steve Strang said, “I’m delighted that our ambitious Masterplan has been shortlisted for this prestigious award.”

“Our Masterplan is about investing in education in this region and investing in the skills that learners need to thrive in the economy of the future. Although an ambitious and far-reaching project, we’ve worked to ensure this plan meets not only our needs as an exceptional education provider but also meets the needs of learners, businesses and the wider community.

“Best of luck to all the others shortlisted in the awards; there are some remarkable projects taking place in the south west and it’s great to be able to celebrate these achievements.”

Emma Honey, Head of Property at Michelmores, said, “Many congratulations to those schemes shortlisted in this year’s Michelmores Property Awards. The last few months have brought unprecedented uncertainty to all of our lives and now, more than ever, it is important to celebrate the excellence in our region’s property and construction sector. We look forward to celebrating 2020’s winning projects at a virtual event on Thursday 12 November; we will share more details on this year’s ceremony soon.”