This month marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark construction of Warrington & Vale Royal College’s new-build campus on Winwick Road.
Over the past 20 years, the college has evolved into a beacon of opportunity, innovation and community engagement, and this milestone serves as a powerful reminder of its enduring commitment to empowering students and serving the Warrington community.
To celebrate two decades of educational excellence, the college is delving into its archives and revisiting moments that have shaped its legacy.
On December 1st 2004, the college reached it’s first momentous milestone by ‘breaking earth’ as part of the redevelopment of Warrington Collegiate. This date marked the beginning of the college’s transformation into a modern and future-focused institution, funded by a £27 million redevelopment initiative. The ambitious rebuilding of the college set a new benchmark in vocational education and skills training within Warrington. This bold project was not only about modernising facilities but was strategically designed to elevate the college’s role as a cornerstone of the community and the gateway to Warrington.
The end of an era – the college says goodbye to a 30-year-old landmark.
On September 1st 2007, the historic Warrington Collegiate building, once a prominent landmark at the site of the new campus, was carefully demolished as part of the redevelopment project. Remarkably, throughout the entire extensive transformation, not a single day of teaching was disrupted, demonstrating the college’s unwavering commitment to its students and community. The college preserved key elements from its original building, including the foundation stone laid by William Bromley-Davenport, then Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On February 8th 2008, Warrington Collegiate was formally reopened by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent, who formally reopened the new building.
In July 2005, Warrington & Vale Royal College unveiled its new construction block, a facility designed to inspire and equip the next generation of construction and engineering specialists. If you were to visit the campus today, you would discover further specialist facilities – thanks to another £13 million of investment, including:
- Advanced Creative & Digital Skills Academy,
- Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Academy
- Business & professional Academy
- Construction & Civil Engineering Academy
- Health & Social Care Academy
- Sports, Military & Emergency Services Academy.
By continuously investing in modern learning environments and specialised academies, the college ensures that each student gains the practical skills, experience, and professional connections needed to succeed in today’s world.
In 2017, Warrington Collegiate merged with Mid Cheshire College to become Warrington & Vale Royal College. Fast forward seven years and the college has gone from strength to strength. In partnership with local employers, the college strives to bring real-world opportunities directly to students, including hands-on training and industry placements, fostering connections that lead to employment. This collaboration ensures students gain industry-relevant experience, meeting the needs of both students and the local job market. Reflecting on this significant anniversary, Principal and CEO Nichola Newton shared her pride: “Reaching this milestone is testimony to 20 years’ of hard work to build a happy, successful and thriving college that is held in high regard by the communities we serve.”
