New campus is previewed

Sep 7 2007 By Gurdip Thandi, Birmingham Mail

EDUCATION chiefs were celebrating today on the eve of the opening of a pioneering vocational centre.

The £10.8 million Torc Campus, in Tamworth, will open its doors to students on Monday.

Staffordshire County Council chiefs organised today's event to give students and invited guests a sneak preview of the centre's new facilities.

The centre incorporates Torc High School, which closed because of falling pupil numbers in Tamworth.

It will work with Tamworth and Lichfield College to deliver courses and training in a range of subjects including retail, health and social care, construction and motorcycle engineering to 14-16 years olds from Tamworth schools.

The campus will also provide special school facilities and a multi-agency centre for families.

Two Rivers Secondary Special School will move on to the site next year.

County councillor Robert Simpson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

"This event will celebrate a great deal of hard work and commitment by a range of partners, all of whom are committed to delivering the best learning opportunities.

"The vocational centre will deliver high quality education and I am delighted that the work that will go on there is on show at this event."

Torc Campus received £8.6m of funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, as well as funding from Staffordshire County Council which has been working alongside contractors Will-mott Dixon on the project. ..SUPL: