West Bromwich to receive Royal visit tomorrow

HRH The Earl of Wessex is heading to West Bromwich to open a new sixth form college.

Published Sep 30, 2014

Prince Edward will tour Central Sixth, the Sandwell College branch which has opened inside the former The Public building in the town centre, tomorrow.

Take a look at The Public following its transformation.

He will meet students from the A Level biology and history classes, and unveil a commemorative plaque for the official opening.

Principal Graham Pennington said: "The transformation of this unique building from an arts centre into a state-of-the-art sixth form centre has been part of a wonderful year for the college with our fantastic Ofsted result and first A Level results.

"We are extremely honoured to receive a visit from our distinguished royal guest to mark this special occasion."

Central Sixth now boasts classrooms, two information technology suites with an open-plan IT hub, informal 'breakout' and seminar spaces, and two specialist science labs. It was opened in September.

Sandwell Council will also run a Community Arts Café on the ground floor of the building from late October, in partnership with Sandwell College.

Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Darren Cooper, said: "It is great to see Central Sixth open. Our partnership has given the building a long-term financially viable future and we're excited for the future.

"We'll continue to use the building to offer opportunities to residents, to the arts and to businesses – but most importantly the building will now be providing excellent educational opportunities for our young people."

The council will run a series of lifelong learning classes including dress making, yoga and film making, as well as providing business support service for local start-up companies and entrepreneurs.