Blackburn education centre launched by X-Factor star (From Lancashire Telegraph)

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Blackburn education centre launched by X-Factor star

11:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Blackburn

THE latest phase in Blackburn College’s plans to create a ‘world class’ campus was officially unveiled yesterday to rapturous applause and a performance by an X-Factopr star. Education reporter Nafeesa Shan was given an exclusive tour of £18.3million Beacon Centre.

* THE new ‘heart’ of Blackburn College has been completed.

And all staff, students and visitors of the college’s Beacon Centre can feel the wow factor of the new centre as soon as they walk through the main doors.

That’s not to say the building’s exterior isn’t impressive in its own right.

Architects, with an input from college bosses and students, have created an unusual ‘futuristic’ design broken down in three parts.

A silver and black five storey bricked teaching, art and learning resource,centre, meets a three floor blue stainless steel clad block, which is brought together with a centralised glass atrium.

Principal Ian Clinton said the college had wanted to create a 21st century building that could stand the test of time.

He said the further education centre, which has been created on wasteland and a car park between St Paul’s Street and Nab Lane, was the ‘best’ yet The architects have used elements, such as the curved shape, from the university centre and the building also has strong green credentials such as rain water harvesting, solar thermal water collectors, a green roof and bird and bat habitats to encourage ecological diversity.

Originally named the ‘core building’ the Beacon Centre, is now the core campus for the college.

Mr Clinton said: “It is amazing how the campus has changed over the years.

“We wanted to do something brilliant. We have learnt from the other buildings, but we wanted to create a modern building that was timeless.”

Around the atrium, the designers have incorporated 8,500 square metres of teaching space for further education courses in creative arts, fashion and textiles, photography, childhood studies, health and social care and public services.

All visitors are met with a light bright open space where students can be seen hard at work from the IT suites, grabbing a bite to eat in the bistro, working in the resource centre or walking about the building through the glass walls.

At various points students have bird’s eye views across the town through the windows of the top floors of the building.

Over the floors students and staff have access to 65 classrooms, including art studios, a gallery space, IT suites, a photography curve for 2,000 students and 300 tutors.

Deputy director of resources Derek Heap said: “Walking in to the atrium and looking around the building doesn’t show everything in one glance.

“The resource centre wraps around the building and stretches through to the ICT suite which can be seen through the glass from the atrium.”

Yesterday students said they were impressed by the building.

Laura McCabe, 19, from Haslingden, said: “In the old building we were on our own, so it is weird that we will be with other students.

“But we’ll get used to it. There is more space.”

Holly Riding, 17, from Darwen, said: “It is more modern. It is much better than the old building and we will be meeting more students.”

Genna(CORRECT) Dean, 17, from Blackburn, said: “It is bigger, there will be more people in it. It is really open and spacious and welcoming.

“It is great being the first students here and I am glad that I will get to experience it.”

Blackburn College is now planning to extend the University Centre with a new STEM, science, technology, engineering and maths, facility.

* X FACTOR finalist Amelia Lily gave a one-off performance to students, staff and special guests for the opening of the Beacon Centre.

A special stage was set up for the 17-year-old, who performed a 30 minute set of some of her live tracks from the hit ITV show.

They included songs such as Since You’ve Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

Amelia, who is currently writing material and recording her album, said: “I have never done an event like this before. It is strange because I should be in college but the TV show changed everything.

“It is insane but it is nice to see what goes on in college.”

While talking to students she said: “Believe in yourself. Determination will get you to where you want to be.”

She also signed autographs for guests.

Comments(61)

burner says...
12:32pm Sat 4 Feb 12

What do you get when you cross a wannabe, MEGA-MINOR educational institute with OXO? . . . . . . . . a laughing stock ! Oh my! How they must be quaking ( or should that be quacking? ) at Oxbridge and Harvard ?