Clarendon Sixth Form College

06 May 2025

Tameside College officially opens new state of the art learning facilities for students, at its Beaufort Road site.

On Friday 2nd May 2025, the college hosted the official  unveiling of its new automotive centre, animal management centre and brickwork workshops to VIP guests.

The project is part of an ambitious initiative by the college to become one of the leading training providers for 16-18 year olds and beyond in the north west, providing its students with the highest quality facilities to equip them for their future careers and develop the local economy.

The Mayor of Tameside, councillor Betty Affleck alongside Tameside Council leader Eleanor Willis officially opened the centres and delivered speeches to those in attendance.

Guests, who included employers, councillors, headteachers, college governors and senior leadership, contractors and more, were given a tour of the new facilities, with students hosting demonstrations and taking questions.

The three facilities include the latest, industry standard equipment such as hybrid vehicle technology for students to learn new ‘green’ skills, paint spraying booth, outdoor animal pens, including meerkats, an aviary, reptile room and indoor and outdoor brickwork areas, to create a realistic working environment for students.

Jackie Moores principal and CEO at Tameside College and Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “This transformative building project has given us some of the best FE facilities in the north west, allowing us to grow our curriculum, meet the needs of thousands more learners and employers and work in partnership with our local authority to support the region’s future workforce.”

“From brickwork and automotive to animal management, these new, state of the art facilities have been designed with employer input to deliver real world skills and progression opportunities. They’re already making a huge impact; with record student numbers across the curriculum, showing just how vital this investment is for the local community and economy.”

The completion of the project marks another significant milestone in the college’s successes, following on from its recent ‘Good’ Ofsted inspection with outstanding features, in March 2024.

The Mayor of Tameside, councillor Betty Affleck, said: “I am delighted to celebrate the opening of these state of the art facilities at Tameside College. This is another major milestone in the borough’s long term ambition to offer the best specialist college facilities in Greater Manchester. This development marks the successful completion of Vision Tameside, a transformational project more than a decade in the making.

Vision Tameside has delivered outstanding new spaces that are already preparing young people for the demands of the 21st century economy. It’s a proud moment for the borough and a clear sign that Tameside is ready to compete, grow and thrive in the years ahead.”

To find out more about courses and facilities at Tameside College visit the college website or call 0161 908 6600.