After being given the "go ahead" for the redevelopment of our campus in Spring 2008, all buildings are now complete. The new Centre for Art and Design opened in Spring 2009 and the main teaching block was completed August 2009. Finally, the Dalton Building has been completed in time for the new 2010 academic year.
The ambitious scheme represented a total investment of twenty two million pounds that has transformed Carmel College into a truly outstanding and inspiring place of learning.
In Spring 2009 the new Centre for Art and Design was completed. The two storey contemporary building has 6 large specialist art studios; a technical workshop; dedicated ICT rooms; specialist facilities such as a sewing room, dye print room, dark room and kiln room; student resources and tutorial area; and a vast ground floor, glass fronted Gallery running the full length of the building.
In August 2009, the College’s
main teaching block was completed, providing outstanding facilities for the
Sciences, Law, I.C.T., Philosophy and Religion, History, Geography, English, Sociology, Psychology, Modern Languages and Essential Skills. All subject areas benefit from large, airy classrooms all equipped with multi-media facilities and interactive whiteboards; dedicated student work areas and ICT suites; tutorial rooms with associated space for individual student advice and guidance. Specialist facilities will include 9 Science Laboratories, a Modern Languages Digital Lab, and a fully furnished Flat plus a training garden for the Essential Skills department.
The final building is now ready for the 2010 academic year. The Dalton Building has facilities for
Performance and Dance, including a new Dalton Theatre, which seats an audience of 200, plus Dance Studio, performance areas, teaching and learning rooms including ICT facilities, and changing and showering facilities. A new
Student Services Centre is also located in this building providing students with a “one-stop-shop” for information and advice.
All subject areas have access to their own I.T. facilities and the new buildings are “wi-fi enabled” to allow staff and students to access the internet anywhere. As part of the College’s “green heating and lighting strategy”, the new buildings are “controlled” by an “intelligent building management system” to ensure optimum efficiency. State-of-the-art “air cooling systems” are used throughout; the lighting is controlled using sensors to detect, and automatically adjust the level of additional lighting required in individual areas throughout the day.
The new buildings are complemented by the careful landscaping of the College grounds. A central college Courtyard will make the best possible use of the space to provide students, staff and visitors with a pleasant outdoor area in which to work or relax. Two new all-weather sports training pitches are welcome additions to the College’s existing sports facilities and the boundaries of the College have been planted with native species of trees and shrubs to encourage wildlife. The outstanding facilities that have been created will certainly match Carmel College's outstanding reputation and will provide an inspiring environment for future generations.