Hobson & Porter, Innovation based on tradition

Topping Out Ceremony

The latest birds eye view

A traditional building celebration took place on Friday, 16 May as Wyke College saw the second phase of their state of the art building project taking shape.

Topping Out is a term used when contractors and clients celebrate together the fact that a new building is watertight with the completion of the roof. Wyke College and their contractors, Hobson & Porter celebrated completion of the external works of Wyke's latest state of the art building at the College site on Grammar School Road.

The building, to be named the "Ash" building (the tree), is due for completion in early August. Director of Resources, Alan Woodcock, overseeing the work for the College said, "The name Ash reflects the fact that we wanted the new building to be as environmentally friendly as possible. The architects have worked with us to include as many "green" features and will be highly eco-efficient, using ground-source heat pumps and re-cycled rain-water, amongst other state-of-the-science techniques."

The College has been overwhelmed with student applications for the coming academic year, following their recent excellent Ofsted report. These new students, together with those returning for their second year will be the first to benefit from the new facilities in September.

Principal, Dr. Richard Smith said, "This is another great step forward for the College, we can't wait to see students in this building in September."

With the progress on the current building, thoughts are now turning to the final stage of the project with a third and final building. Also with an environmental theme, the "Oak" building will include a new theatre, library and sports facilities. Alan Woodcock said, "The central entrance, social and learning space is high, wide, naturally lit and ventilated and will create the human core of the College. The library and learning resource centre is in the middle of this. On one side will be the student guidance area and refectory and on the other the theatre and sports hall. The views through the building and out to the rest of the campus mean people will feel they are in touch with all of it."

This rebuilding of the entire College will be complete in May 2010 and has been made possible through the significant funding support of the Learning and Skills Council.