Doncaster’s £20m sixth form scheme takes major step forward

Plans to build New College Doncaster, the town’s only sixth form college for 16-19 year olds, made major developments with the appointment of a main contractor.

The New Collaborative Learning Trust, which will run the college, has appointed BAM Construction as its preferred bidder to deliver the sixth form college, sports hall, and a series of sports pitches, with a construction value of around £20m.

The appointment was made under the EFA’s contractors’ framework after a competitive process.

Set to be built in Auckley on the playing fields adjacent to Hayfield Lane, New College will open to students in September 2017.

Leon Riley, principal designate of New College Doncaster, said: “We are delighted to be announcing our preferred bidder to build New College Doncaster.

“This is a huge step forward for education in Doncaster and we look forward to working with BAM to create state of the art facilities for us to deliver outstanding educational opportunities for young people from across the borough.

“This will be a dynamic centre for post-16 learning, supporting achievement, aspiration and progression.”

Planned works include a 9450 m2 sixth form college with individual curriculum based learning zones based around a multi-functional hub including informal learning, social spaces and extensive sports facilities.

Tony Fitzgerald, BAM’s pre-construction manager, commented: “New College Doncaster has a fast track construction programme commencing in August 2016 and completing in phases ready for the new academic term in September 2017.

“We’ve been paying great attention to detail to ensure our design solution meets the college’s brief and can be delivered on time. It’s an attractive design and we have significant experience in creating sixth form learning environments – these will be fantastic new facilities.”