An ambitious new £6.6 million Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) centre will provide exciting advanced opportunities for Sandwell College construction students.
This is the second phase of our aspirational building project for young people at Cadbury Sixth Form College in Kings Norton – part of the Sandwell Family of Colleges* – following the opening of our £3.5 million Science City for advanced learning in 2021.
We are working closely with the contractor Speller Metcalfe to provide our construction students with learning opportunities on site throughout the build and beyond, and to ensure that the new building meets the needs of students, staff and the local community.
So far, the STEM centre’s steel frame has been erected and concrete flooring laid, preparing the foundations for the learning centre. The roof-work and façade of the building is also progressing.
The brand new centre will promote digital technology and learning, and provide specialist, state-of-the-art teaching facilities for students – in particular learners studying the growing number of T Levels we offer.
Reaching across two stories, the centre will include dedicated suites for Digital Media, Health, Computer Aided Design [CAD] and Employee Engagement. Cutting-edge facilities will also benefit sectors such as Design, Planning and Surveying, Science and Construction.
On the first floor, students will have access to traditional classrooms, an engineering IT room, media suite and a practical healthcare learning space. A flexible study and social space for all students will also be available to hire as an external event space.
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of the building’s design and underpins our journey to Net Carbon Zero. Modern technologies have also been used to provide heat and lighting that reduce carbon emissions.
Julia Stevens, Principal of Cadbury Sixth Form College, said: “We’re excited by the progress of the new STEM centre, which will provide students with even more opportunities by being able to study in state-of-the-art facilities. When the doors open, the new building will allow students to get hands on and see what industry looks like, preparing them for life after college — whether that be for university or straight into a job. This will also be a huge benefit to the wider community.”
Divisional director Rob Lashford added: “This project is particularly poignant for Speller Metcalfe, as many of our colleagues come from STEM backgrounds. We are delighted to give students access to the best training and facilities, and provide them with ‘real life’ learning environments and opportunities to best prepare them for the start of their careers.”
The STEM centre project is due for completion this summer.
*Cadbury Sixth Form College forms part of the Sandwell College family, providing 16–19-year-olds with the opportunity to study A Levels, T Levels, BTEC qualifications and a programme of up to 50 advanced vocational subjects.
