College Receives Funding to Support GBP6m Campus Redevelopment

OXFORD, ENGLAND, December 12, 2012 (Press-News.org) OCVC has been awarded a grant of nearly GBP2m from the Skills Funding Agency to create a more commercial 'front of house' at the Oxpens Road campus, which will maximise its riverside setting.

The scheme includes refurbishing the college's main building to provide a new customer reception area, state-of-the-art hair and beauty salon and cafe, all fronting the river. A new river walkway - or boardwalk - will take in a new open air exhibition space and improve the links between the campus and the West End of the city centre.

The project involves refurbishment of existing facilities but will include new treatments to the outside of the 'Dorn' building to improve its appearance.

Sally Dicketts, principal of OCVC, said: "Our Oxford campus enjoys a prime position in the centre of the city and we want to maximise the location by attracting more people in to see what the college has to offer.

"This new development is a key part of our plans, opening up the linkages between the campus and the city centre and creating attractive facilities along the waterside.

"Not only will this increase our links with the local community but it will also benefit our students in giving them greater exposure to a broader range of customers.

"This redevelopment will radically improve facilities for our hair and beauty students, as we strive to create a learning environment that equips our students with the contemporary skills desired by employers."

The funding for the scheme has come from the third phase of the Enhanced Renewal Grant (ERG) which has contributed GBP330m across England since May 2010, supporting over GBP1bn in college buildings.

The remainder of the funding for the scheme at OCVC will come from the college's own funds.

The design of the scheme is now being developed and, subject to planning, work will start in the summer of 2013 and aim to be completed in summer 2014.

The redevelopment is the second major project to be announced by OCVC in the last 12 months. This month (November) work started on a further GBP6m new-build project at its Banbury campus, to create new facilities for media studies and motor vehicle students. This will include an MoT testing centre, open to the public, where students can increase their hands-on experience.

OCVC offer a wide range of full and part-time courses from entry to degree level, a range of learning for leisure courses, bespoke employer training, and courses which will help the unemployed get back into work. Oxford and Cherwell Valley College have a friendly and supportive environment where students can make friends, enjoy life as they learn, and enhance their employability, confidence and communication skills alongside their qualification.

OCVC's campuses are located in the ancient university city of Oxford and on the edge of a picturesque Cotswolds market town. The specialist centre in Bicester is based in the heart of the not-so-famous "Motorsport Valley". Small class sizes in a creative and diverse environment make it a good choice for students eschewing university to achieve their HE qualification.

Website: http://www.ocvc.ac.uk