Phil Hope MP Opens New Adult Learning Centre in Northampton

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A new Adult Learning Centre for Northampton College has been opened at a special unveiling ceremony performed by Phil Hope MP, the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Skills.

The launch was attended by more than 70 people and saw the opening of the new £5m state-of-the-art learning facility. This site will include the fully modernised library, a coffee shop, provision for a crèche and the College’s re-launched computer learning centre, Flex IT. The guests included individuals drawn from various community groups, businesses, college governors and local dignitaries.

The History of the Sites

The College had previously been using an old Victorian school in Military Road as the hub of their Adult and Community Education. It is hoped that the new site will not only prove to be more accessible given its central location, but will also offer an attractive learning environment for adults, thus encouraging more people into continuing or returning to education and training.

The centre will offer a wide variety of learning opportunities at all levels such as Management Training, Information Computer Technology, Health and Safety and English and Maths courses. The centre will also offer short refresher programmes and courses tailor-made for local businesses. The new site extends the activities of the College across five centres, the others being in Daventry, Brackley, Towcester and Booth Lane in Northampton.

Phil Hope and Principal Look to Centre for Success

The centre was opened by Phil Hope MP, who praised the work of the college and the college’s strong links with local schools, its commitment to broadening access for 16-19 year olds and the ongoing improvements the College has made to its courses for businesses and the local community. He said: “Northampton College is making an important and ongoing contribution to the lives of local people, employers and post-16 education. It is vital every person has an opportunity to achieve their potential and the College is helping make that a reality at its new Lower Mounts building.”

The guests were invited on a tour of the facilities to demonstrate what the centre has to offer. The College’s Principal, Len Closs, said: “This is an exciting venture for the College. Our new building at Lower Mounts plays a huge part in our ongoing plans to improve learning and skills-development opportunities for residents, community groups and businesses in the town.”

Jethro Marsh

Will the new centre change Northampton adult education? Tell us in the FE Blog

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