THE brand new sixth form centre for Ipswich and South Suffolk, Suffolk One is rapidly taking shape.

BY DAVID VINCENT

david.vincent@archant.co.uk

IPSWICH: The brand new sixth form centre for Ipswich and South Suffolk, Suffolk One is rapidly taking shape.

The �65 million Suffolk County Council development is being built by ISG Jackson and is due to welcome its first intake of students in September this year.

Up to 300 skilled craftsmen are working on the site in Scrivener Drive, Ipswich, every day with a wide variety of specialities.

Scaffolding has now been removed from the building's fa�ade and work continues on fitting out the state-of-the-art centre of learning.

To the bottom right of the photograph, and just in front of the three learning 'clusters', it is possible to make out the new coach parking area and large turning circle, which are currently being formed.

The roof structure is now completed and mechanical and electrical plant is being craned into position and connected up and will soon be tested.

The plant area on the left hand cluster is the most advanced, with the majority of services now connected and, over the coming months, ISG Jackson will complete this process across the remaining two clusters and roof area at the rear of the building.

Partition walls have now been completed within the building, with plastering and decoration ongoing. The mechanical and electrical second fix is also well underway and some areas of flooring are now starting to be laid.

Within a month, fixed furniture will start to arrive on site and be installed, with this work continuing for several months as the building nears handover ahead of the start of the new academic year.

Suffolk One will offer nearly 50 A-level subjects as well as Applied Learning courses (including BTECs and Diplomas) and Foundation Learning for 16-19 year olds.

There will also be Specialist and Applied Learning courses for 14-16 years olds in the SWISS partnership of schools.

Alan Whittaker, principal of Suffolk One said: "The project is on target and the building looks excellent. It's early days, but already, recruitment is high with interest from pupils across Suffolk.”

Are you planning to attend Suffolk One? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk