A new era in education

New investment at Stamford College will offer state-of-the-art learning resources, with an increase in opportunities and benefits for students and employers alike. Kate Chapman reports.

Stamford may be steeped in history, but it is also home to great innovation – especially in the realms of education and the provision of qualifications that will see students’ skills in demand.

There are now even more opportunities to study vital trades, including plumbing, carpentry, brickwork and electrical installation at Stamford College, where a multi-million pound upgrade has recently opened.

The facility, in Drift Road, is offering state-of-the-art learning and teaching resources for employers, adults and school leavers at its newly named Modern Methods of Construction Centre (MMC), thanks to a £3.3 million investment, jointly funded by Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) and Department for Education Post 16 Capital Funding.

The MMC comes in addition to the college’s £3.5 million Construction and Automotive Skills Centre completed in 2016 and offers a range of qualifications, including six Retrofit PAS 2035 roles and qualifications, part-time industry accreditations and apprenticeships.

Gary McPartland, assistant principal for Inspire Education Group, said: “With UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, it means almost 27 million homes and two million other buildings require retrofitting, and the recruitment of an extra 567,000 qualified workers is needed by 2028 to complete the work.

“Our new Modern Methods of Construction Building means we have the facilities, expert training and qualifications to prepare students for these industry demands.”

The substantial growth in recent student applications – around 15 per cent more each year – is in response to the increased demand for skilled workers in trade-based industries within the local area.

The college says the design of the building reflects its responsibility to teach and provide learning opportunities that reflect the rapid evolution of the construction industry through automation, carbon reduction and the increased use of prefabrication, and ensures students are studying among the very latest construction methodologies and technologies, so they can excel in their chosen careers.

The façade is designed as a row of five different styles of terraced house, each with multiple types of brickwork, archways and window installations. Parts of the interior have been left exposed with glass panels installed for students to see the multiple layers of construction within the walls.

Fifty-six solar electricity panels – also known as photovoltaics (PV) – have been installed on the roof to capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity, generating renewable electricity for the college with surplus energy going back into the grid. Students can see these working in real time via a 60″ TV screen in the lobby detailing the electricity being generated and used.

Attenuation tanks designed to collect and store excess surface water, before slowly releasing it at a controlled rate into the local water course, minimises the risk of localised flooding, and Air-source Heat Pumps take the warmth from the air outside and use it to heat the building.

Even the bricks, ​‘eco-bricks’, have been sourced from environmentally friendly manufacturers to ensure the carbon footprint of the building is minimised, making the MMC the college’s most green project to date.

For more information visit stamford.ac.uk

FESTIVE FUN
As autumn gives way to winter, thoughts in Stamford are turning to Christmas and all the wonderful festivities that the season brings with it.

The Georgian market town, which is home to numerous independent shops, businesses, restaurants and cafés, is the perfect backdrop for yuletide celebrations – and there are plenty taking place to help get everyone in the festive spirit.

Stamford’s annual Christmas lights switch on is on Thursday 24th November. As well as lighting up the town with a dazzling display, there will be entertainments including carols from schoolchildren and performances by a choir.

The town’s Christmas Market returns on Sunday 27th November, when stalls selling gifts and refreshments will be open in Broad Street, High Street and Ironmonger Street from 10am to 5pm.

A spokesman for Stamford Town Council said entertainment will include Christmas carols sung by a choir, a Victorian themed game of Play Your Cards Right and music from a ukulele band.

The Pennine Bernese Carter Dogs – a voluntary group of Bernese Mountain Dog owners who attend events to raise funds for charity – will also be in attendance, collecting for good causes.

Many town businesses and cafés are expected to open while hot and cold refreshments will also be available.

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
Home to the region’s largest Christmas fair, Burghley House is the setting for a magical shopping experience and promises to be a wonderful festive day out with carol singers, a Victorian carousel and more.

The festive merriment continues on 11th December, when Burghley’s Christmas Carol Concerts return. The house’s intimate family chapel is the venue for traditional festive pieces performed by the Cantus Choir and string orchestra, with mulled wine and mince pies served in Burghley’s Tudor kitchen, while on 14th December, the concert venue is the oak-panelled Great Hall, with arrival drinks in The Orangery. Tickets for each event cost £30 per person, and numbers are limited, so must be pre-booked. Visit www.burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.

And if all that’s not left you feeling festive enough, Stamford Santa Fun Run returns on Sunday 4th December. Entries for the popular race held in Burghley Park are already open – and last year all 1,500 places were snapped up well before race day.

Open to adults and children, the 5k run, now in its 15th year, is organised by Stamford Striders and this year’s main sponsor is Savills.

Event organiser Brian Kearsey said: “It’s a fantastic event, there’s always a great ambience.

“It’s a wonderful sight to see everyone lined up in their Santa suits, which they all receive through their entry.

“It’s a fun run and people can run the course, or walk if they want to, we’ve even had people pushing buggies around it – it’s not about getting the best time.”

He added that last year’s run raised just over £26,000, with £15,000 donated to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, £4,600 to Mindspace Stamford and £3,500 to Rotary Burghley, which distributed its share to local groups. The same charities are set to benefit from this year’s run and over the course of its history the event has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.

For more information and to find out how to enter, visit stamfordsantafunrun.com

BURGHLEY’S SHOPPING SPECTACULAR
Burghley is set to sparkle with the annual seasonal shopping spectacular, the Burghley Christmas Fair, welcoming visitors from the 24th to 27th November.

Burghley’s courtyards and grounds will house traditional chalets and heated marquees, along with an avenue of pagodas bedecked in sparkling Christmas decorations and lights, as the region’s most magical Christmas Fair brings 130 stalls offering everything from luxury gifts to artisan food and drink and festive treats to winter clothing.

There will also be a Victorian carousel, lit up for the season, and traditional music from carol singers making it a wonderful festive day out for the whole family.

Open from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day, plus this year there will be a new ticket available for late-night shopping on Friday 25th, from 5.30pm to 9pm.

Advance tickets cost £6 adults, £3 children, or £8 and £4 on the gate. For full details and to book event tickets visit www.burghley.co.uk

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Photographs: Mick Fox

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