An ambitious vision to create a brand-new life-long learning campus in the heart of Thetford has been unveiled by West Suffolk College – part of Eastern Education Group – and Breckland Council.
The partners have revealed that they are currently working together on plans which would see the creation of a new multi-use education and community hub constructed in the district’s biggest town.
The campus would bring high-quality education, training, and community facilities to Thetford, helping to tackle challenges facing many young people and adults in the area.
A study carried out in 2019 by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in partnership with the Office of National Statistics, found that parts of Thetford were in the top 20% most deprived in England for Education, Skills and Training.
Currently, Thetford learners must travel to Bury St Edmunds or Norwich for many post-16 courses, creating barriers particularly for those from lower-income households. When delivered, the new campus is expected to provide support to a wide range of ages.
Eastern Education Group – the organisation behind West Suffolk College – is one of the largest and most diverse education providers in the East of England. The Group oversees a wide network of learning institutions, including several adult learning centres, three Ofsted Outstanding colleges, and a commercial engineering and manufacturing training centre in Chatteris. It was recently selected by the government as the new Construction Technical Excellence College for the Eastern region, and as a leading provider of apprenticeships, the Group has a strong track record of working with employers to close local skills gaps and strengthen pathways between education and industry.
Nikos Savvas, CEO of Eastern Education Group, said: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Thetford. Education changes lives, and this new hub will give us the ability to deliver the skills employers need and create clearer pathways into the careers driving our region’s growth. By bringing more hands-on vocational training into the heart of Thetford, we can help create a stronger workforce, drive higher levels of employment, and deliver a meaningful boost to the local economy. We are proud to be working with Breckland Council on a project that will ensure everyone in the Thetford community can benefit from new opportunities and a brighter future.”
Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen, Leader of Breckland Council, said: “This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape Thetford’s town centre and invest in the futures of the town’s residents. This type of facility has been long overdue in Thetford and will provide young people the opportunity to access valuable skills without the need to travel long distances. Breckland Council is really proud to be working alongside West Suffolk College to help deliver this vision. Together, we can create a facility that not only raises aspirations and supports the local economy but also leaves a legacy for decades to come.”
The concept has already been given the backing of the Thetford Neighbourhood Board, which is overseeing the investment of ‘Pride in Place’ national funding into the town. To support the progress of delivering this landmark campus project, the Board has agreed to help fund detailed planning work, architectural designs, surveys of potential sites, and the undertaking of a full cost analysis.
Thetford Neighbourhood Board Chairman, Jo Pearson, commented: “This is fantastic news for Thetford that really delivers what the people of Thetford have told us they want: regeneration in our town centre and investment in education and skills. I look forward to seeing this initiative develop and seeing how the forThetford programme can support it.”
Once the initial planning work and cost analysis is complete, the partners will review the best way of securing the necessary funding to deliver the project, which is expected to include seeking further national investment.
MP for South West Norfolk, Terry Jermy, added: “I am delighted the Government’s Pride in Place funding is helping to make this project happen. I am determined to unlock Thetford’s potential and a new life-long learning campus is a key part of that plan. As the Member of Parliament for Thetford I was pleased to support this funding request and will continue to call on the Government to further invest in the town to help make this vision a reality.”
