Pupils learn about Suffolk One

IPSWICH: Students across Ipswich and south Suffolk are getting a glimpse at the future of their education today.

The next step on the road to the new Suffolk One facility becoming a reality is taking place as pupils in the SWISS partnership looked over the new prospectus for the multi-million pound venture.

In total about 1,200 Year 11 students from the 15 schools visited BT Adastral Park yesterday, today and tomorrow to view the prospectus and take the opportunity to discuss their options.

Suffolk One will open its doors in September 2010 and at capacity, will provide learning for more than 2,000 16 to 19-year-olds from schools including Chantry High School, Claydon High School, East Bergholt High School, Hadleigh High School, Otley College and Westbourne Sports College.

It will also offer part-time sessions for up to 200 14 to 16-year-olds, on a daily basis, in partnership with their home school.

It will offer post-16 studies, including 50 A/S and A-level subjects, a wide and diverse range of vocational courses involving 17 different lines of learning, the International Baccalaureate and specialised programmes for all abilities.The curriculum has been planned in consultation with Suffolk New College and Otley College and this close collaboration will ensure the delivery offers clear progression routes into higher level courses and through into University Campus Suffolk.

One is being built on a 12-acre site on the edge of Ipswich at the London Road site, accessible from both A12 and A14.

There is a vocational block to the north and teaching clusters to the south, all around a central heart space, 20,185sq m in total.

Suffolk One is costing �65million, and is funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

Other schools involved in the project are Beacon Hill School, Belstead School, Stoke High School, Suffolk New College, Thomas Wolsey School, Thurleston High School and Westbridge Pupil Referral Unit.