Northbrook College, in partnership with West Sussex County Council, celebrated the official opening of the new 14 – 16 Centre at the College’s Broadwater site on Tuesday.
The Centre will house the Worthing Links College which has, for many years, provided flexible education for under-16s.
Guests gathered to watch the official opening by Peter Griffith, West Sussex Cabinet Member for Education and Schools who said: “This is a very exciting moment. We have achieved a great deal due to collaboration and team work with Northbrook College, area partnerships and local schools. The new facilities will mean that pupils will benefit from the College environment and I hope that the Centre will be a national role model.”
The unit’s relocation to Northbrook’s Broadwater site will place it in an ideal position to combine vocational training with core school subjects. Pupils will retain an appropriate school environment, while also experiencing the more mature atmosphere of a college of further education.
Julia Vincent, Head of out of School Learning, said: “The Links College is delighted to be working in collaboration with Northbrook College. A purpose built Centre for 14 – 16 year olds on the site of an FE College is an important step in ensuring we retain students, who are facing challenges, in education past the age of 16.”
The 14 – 16 Centre is part of the College’s new build, which aims to provide an outstanding centre for vocational training and skills.