24th January 2012

A £1.3 million revamp of a city college is nearly complete.
Regent College, off Regent Road, now has new classrooms, including science laboratories, along with a new conference centre and changing room facilities.

The dining hall has also been refurbished and ornate ceilings at the former Grammar School site, which dates back to 1928, have been redecorated.
The finishing touches to the project are now under way with work set to be completed by the end of March.
Principal Paul Wilson said: "It's completely transformed our learning space. The classrooms are much brighter and we're making sure that there's disabled access throughout. For those students who knew what it was like before there's been a real wow factor and that's been nice to see."
New furnishings have been added to help brighten up the dining hall, a dedicated IT suite for science students has been created, and air conditioning installed as the heat from computers warms up the air.
Mr Wilson added: "Creating the laboratories was the biggest part of the work. They're entirely new, from the floors to the ceiling. The old wooden work benches were ripped out and new equipment has been put in. It's a much more flexible space to work in and we're really pleased with the results."
Science teacher Nimisha Mandalia said: "The labs are a great space and it's made a difference to students and their enthusiasm for lessons."
Much of the major work was carried out over the summer by contractors Tomlinsons.
Most of the funding came from the Government-backed Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA), with the college contributing £300,000.
A-Level student Charlotte Leith, 19, said: "I really enjoy coming into the canteen now the redecoration has been done."
Fellow student Taseer Kasi, 17, said: "In comparison to last year the science labs are a better classroom environment. I feel more motivated."