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Work is now underway on a brand new vocational centre at Countesthorpe Community College thanks to local developer Westleigh Developments Ltd. Students at the college will soon have a state-of-the-art and environmentally sound facility in which to learn bricklaying, joinery, vehicle maintenance, hairdressing, beauty therapy and IT after the Whetstone-based firm agreed to part fund the £400,000 project. A group of five pupils today met Chris Beighton, Managing Director of Westleigh Developments, on site to mark the first phase of the project, which will see the demolition of an old bungalow in the college grounds. Construction will then begin in the New Year on a 3,800 sq ft, single storey building, which will house five workshops and one theory classroom, each able to cater for up to 14 pupils. Chris Beighton commented, “We are thrilled with this very exciting project. As a company which takes pride in investing in people we believe it is very important to devote time to, and provide facilities for, the training of youngsters in these skills. “Rather than simply building this new facility we also hope to play an active role in educating the students throughout the build process, with regular site visits and a trip to our Westframe factory to see how the timber frames that will form their new building are made.” Brian Myatt, Principal at Countesthorpe Community College, says, “This project is a dream come true and will provide our students with a wide range of vocational learning experiences on site for the very first time. Working in partnership with Westleigh Developments has created the opportunity we have been waiting for to make our vision a reality. “They have made what seemed to be impossible come true, and we are extremely grateful for their support and generosity in making this happen so quickly. This is what is meant by a partnership working at its best, combining education with local industry to the benefit of young people in Leicestershire". The college predicts that the new centre, which is to be called the Westleigh Vocational Academy, will be able to welcome 122 students in the academic year 2010/11, with this number rising to 230 students within two years. There will also be the possibility of evening adult learning classes taking place, whilst further employment opportunities will arise as experienced tutors and industry experts will be required for all of the centre’s courses. Build work is expected to be completed in March 2010 with students able to use the new facilities at the start of the 2010/11 academic year next September. The building will feature photo-voltaic panels, a heat recovery and mechanical ventilation system, LCD lighting and will be developed to meet the requirements of an A rated Energy Performance Certificate.
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