Back to The Sixth Form at Furness College – 1 Year On
As students prepare to return for a fresh year of academia, we look back on the completion of ambitious plans to revitalize and upgrade the Furness Sixth Form College Campus.
Aspiring to provide a high-quality teaching environment, the college’s original facilities did not fully reflect its ethos or the wide curriculum on offer. Barrow Sixth Form and Furness Colleges merging in 2016, established a significant motivation to reconfigure the existing campus.
The works incorporated building layout reorganisation, the addition of student wellbeing rooms, expansion of the textiles room, refurbishment of STEM and lab support facilities and the development of the surrounding grounds as part of the College’s ambitious plan to help to secure the future of the campus, and to give students the greatest potential learning experience. HPA worked closely with the Sixth Form through a series of Feasibility studies to secure funding and were then appointed by the College to deliver the design and sensitive refurbishment of the existing building, aiming to improve fire safety circulation, give greater access and energy efficiency of the building.
The project also included the renovation of the existing classrooms, enhancement of facilities, including the college theatre, a new reception, better accessible facilities, and a welcoming entrance area.
Building Contractor Piningtons Ltd delivered the refurbishment using, wherever possible, local materials and suppliers to reduce transport emissions and ensure investment and skills benefits the local North Lancashire and Cumbrian economies.
The retrofit was considered a more sustainable option than a new build and this assisted in reducing operational costs. Proposals to increase user health and safety and boost the biodiversity of the site resulted in an improved and valuable space for learning and training.
A phased completion ensured disruption to the campus was minimised, allowing for newly enrolled students and staff members to reap the benefits of the from the start of that academic year in September 2024.
Sue Russell, Vice Principal, Resources at Furness College said ‘this programme of work has been truly transformational to the student and staff experience at The Sixth Form. The team who worked on the programme operated on the basis of one team with one common goal, and it is clear to see that that approach delivered a truly exceptional and inspirational result.’
