£360K science labs upgrade project completed at Brockenhurst College

Science students at Brockenhurst College (@brockcollege) can look forward to an even better learning experience thanks to a £360,000 laboratories upgrade project that was completed during lockdown.

Four of the College’s eight science labs were refitted, with Brock’s Senior Management Team aiming for a second round of work to begin in the near future.

It comes just five years after the New Forest Further Education College opened a new STEM Centre to expand its capacity for teaching and learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

The new labs have a more modern and spacious appearance and offer better access to amenities like electricity, water and gas.

Also, an improved seating configuration means additional floor space and extra aisles for convenient transit.

One room has even been extended to facilitate new practical teaching strategies aimed at optimising learner outcomes.

In addition, there are new fume cupboards and media projectors to assist with practical and theoretical learning, respectively.

College chiefs have also directed funds towards double-glazing, air conditioning and new furniture, where needed, to ensure improved comfort for students and staff.

The ambitious project was financed by the first wave of a capital grant from central government aimed at improving and maintaining college estates.

So far, £200 million out of a total of £1.5 billion has been made available to improve Further Education colleges across the country.

However, each institution must set out detailed proposals to justify the expenditure during a formal ratification process.

Brockenhurst College Principal, Polly Perkins CBE, said: “This cutting-edge laboratory upgrade project will give science students an even better learning experience, as well as more comfort and enjoyment during their lessons.

“Investment in Further Education is vital to the future prospects of young people and the UK economy; therefore, I enthusiastically welcome this funding from the Department for Education, which follows the ambitious proposals we submitted during their rigorous ratification process,” she added.