Exeter College reveals £70 million investment vision over next 20 years

Exeter College has announced plans to invest £70 million over the next 20 years in creating an ‘Exceptional’ college. 

Under the plans, the college has set out a clear vision for its continued upward trajectory from an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ college to be an ‘Exceptional college’. The college launched both a new strategic plan and a 20 year master plan at an event at Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM).

The strategic plan sets out a journey to move from Outstanding to Exceptional over a five year time period, addressing the opportunities that A level, technical education and Apprenticeship reform offer, as well as continuing to grow University Level and adult training and learning for the local community. Exeter College is now nationally, the 8th largest provider for 16 to 18 education, providing a wide curriculum offer for Exeter, Devon and the wider region.

The event also marked the launch of a 20 year property master plan, providing more than 30% increased teaching capacity to address future skills needs such as digital and data for our young people.

The £70m vision over 20 years has been developed in partnership with Keystone Projects, strategic property and project management advisers to the education sector, with AWW architects and GVA Grimley planning specialists. Initial, illustrative artist impressions have been drawn up to invest in the college estate, subject to extensive further consultation with the local community. 

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive, said: “The new Strategic Plan sets out to meet the academic, education, and skills needs for the city and region. An exceptional student experience remains the focus of all we do.

“I am also proud that we are the only English college in The Sunday Times Top 100 Not-for-Profit Organisations to work for in 2017. This is a significant achievement, recognising how key our staff are in delivering our vision.”

Philip Bostock OBE, Chair of the Board, said: “We are delighted to have produced this initial vision for our long term future, taking on board ideas from our staff, students and governing body.

“The master plan cements our commitment to remaining a city centre college and we look forward to further developing our ideas with the city council, the local community and funding partners over the coming months.”

Pictured above: Initial, illustrative artist impressions have been drawn up to invest in the Exeter College estate, subject to extensive further consultation with the local community.