Greater Manchester, M50 3SR
Salford City College
Salford City College gets a Digital Overhaul
Salford City College is the number one General Further Education (GFE) College in Greater Manchester in terms of the success rates.
The College has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality teaching to a diverse student body, which includes a significant number of learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite this, the standard and quality of the College’s physical infrastructure, particularly the learning spaces, were posing significant challenges.
These suboptimal facilities were impacting not only on the delivery of teaching but also the overall learning experience and the effectiveness of assessments, preventing students from reaching their full potential in an otherwise high-performing academic environment.
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The brief
Salford City College were looking to transform their outdated estate which spans over five centres, to further improve their offering and give more young people than ever, the very best possble start.
As part of a £9 million programme of refurbishment, the college prioritised the creation of exemplary ICT facilities across its campuses as well as new state-of-the art laboratories.
Key to the vision for the college was a need to tailor the curriculum using technology enhanced learning that allows learning to take place anywhere and anytime and improve learning outcomes. Plans were made to open brand new technology enabled digital learning zones in all five centres including Pendleton Sixth Form Centre, City Skills Centre, Eccles Centre, Walkden Centre and FutureSkills @MediaCityUK.
With an initial design and layout for the five Digital Learning Zones – the college sought expert manufacturing and installation services to bring their visionary concept to life and achieve the exceptional finish they envisioned.
Saf Arfan , Vice Principal and Development and Innovation Executive
The solution
Innova Design Group completed the modernisation and re-fit of five LRC’s, four science laboratories, vets room as well as a preparation room and various storage walls across the college.
Each zone in the new LRC’s provides students with access to computers, books, journals and newspapers, and a relaxed space where they can spend their time working either in between lessons or after college. As such they will enable students to become digital savvy learners.
Large, curved bench desks for PCs create a bold focal point within the Learning Resource Centers (LRCs), complemented by smaller desks for quiet study and equipped with data ports for personal devices. Along the room’s perimeter, mobile bookcases offer easy access to journals and texts. The dynamic, engaging layout features modern finishes in white, grey, and stone tones.
The laboratories have been designed using Innova’s ‘Hot Corner‘ layout which addresses the need to provide both a working classroom and practical laboratory within the same space. The design shortens lines of communication, reducing problems students may have hearing the teacher and creates a more collaborative approach to learning. Power sockets and gas taps were placed on the front face of units, further increasing space for students to conduct theory work.
The refurbishment also included a vets area, nursery storage, storage walls, teacher walls and restaurant furniture.
The new learning environments match Salford City College’s aspirations and gear the college up to further pushing the boundaries of the already exemplary teaching.
Spotlight on interiors
Design & Technology Durable, flexible, multi-functional and safe technology focused environments.
Commercial Laboratories Productive, sustainable commercial laboratory environments designed to improve workflow
Art & Design Practical and stimulating Arts and Craft interiors with harmonious and clutter free environments
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