Franklin College announces £3.2m expansion project

Yesterday, 13th June, saw individuals from Franklin Sixth Form College, JemBuild, ID Architecture, and Charles Garth surveyors break ground on the site for the newest addition to the college campus.

The expansion project costs £3.2 million and is jointly funded by the college and the Department for Education. It will include “eight state-of-the-art classrooms, a 160-seater auditorium, and a new main entrance and reception area.”

According to a statement issued to Gi Grimsby News by the college, “Visitors to Franklin will be welcomed in the new reception area, which will lead through to our atrium and the main hub of Franklin.

“The auditorium will be a flexible space, available not only to Franklin staff and students but also to the wider community as a bookable venue for performances for community events.

“The eight new classrooms will be home to business students who will benefit from the industry-standard learning environment.”

Gi Grimsby News attended the sod-cutting ceremony where Alex Baxter, Chairman of the Franklin College Corporation, took part in breaking the ground. He said, “This build underpins our commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience for all our students.”

He continued, “Franklin is a college of the community, and this expansion will enable us to broaden our offer and host a range of both college and community events.”

Also at the ceremony was Interim Principal Wendy Ellis, who is enthusiastic about the new building, saying, “We are a highly popular college, and the new facilities will allow us to respond to our growing popularity.

“The addition of this fantastic new building will not only improve our already excellent provision but further enhance our students’ learning and Franklin experience.

“It will provide them with a modern and aspirational environment, ensuring they have the skills and attributes they need to progress to positive destinations for life after Franklin.”

Alongside Interim Principal Wendy Ellis was Executive Principal Peter Kennedy, who added, “Because our college is so popular, we are continuing to invest in the fabric of the buildings, and we are continuing to make it a learning environment fit for our students and their needs.”

Also speaking to Gi Grimsby News at the event was Paul Barker, Managing Director at JemBuild, who said, “We are incredibly proud to be constructing this new classroom facility at Franklin. We’ve just finished a series of projects here, including ‘The Bridge’, which is a state-of-the-art learning centre, the ‘Covered Courtyard’ and also the media block.

“We are proud to continue our close association with the college. I think it’s a fabulous sixth-form provider, and we are always willing to help them achieve their ambitions.”

The project is due to be completed in July 2025 and will support over 250 people’s employment at the peak level of construction, as well as using local suppliers and workers.