Calcot’s iCollege to undergo £2m revamp

By Sam Pither

18 July 2022

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iCollege in Calcot is to undergo a £2 million redevelopment, enlarging the offered learning provision.

iCollege is a West Berkshire Council service provided for children and young people unable to access mainstream education. Its five sites offer 84 learners opportunities to reach their potential.

With the current site in Calcot now too small to offer the full curriculum to its students, it will be replaced with a purpose-built learning centre including classrooms, a kitchen for both meal preparation and lessons, group study areas, offices, and a new games court. Work will begin over the summer and is expected to take the full 22/23 academic year.

While redevelopment is underway pupils and staff will relocate to a disused former primary school in nearby Thatcham. West Berkshire Council is working with Parsons Down partnership of schools, who have a site neighbouring the Thatcham primary school, to minimise disruption during the redevelopment period..

The bespoke nature of teaching at iCollege means there will only be a maximum of 12 students on site at any one time anyway, but arrival times will be staggered with Parsons Down to reduce disturbance. West Berkshire Council will work with parents to ensure students have adequate transportation to the site.

Councillor Dominic Boeck, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education said: "We want all young people to reach their full potential, and the iCollege is fundamental in helping children who can't access mainstream schools to do just that.

“This new facility will really help them on their journey and I'm delighted to see it taking shape. It will improve morale, help us retain and attract staff and maintain the iCollege's high attainment standards."

By Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset.

A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise.

Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.