BUILDERS, architects, students and teachers celebrated a new £3.5 million building at Cirencester College with a topping out ceremony.

An excited group, wearing yellow hi-vis jackets and hard hats, gathered to mark the structural completion of The Avebury Building last week, which is set to open in the autumn. 

This new development will provide the college with three more large classrooms, a new home for the pastoral care team, and a new dining, study, and social space for students.

The college secured a £2 million grant from the Department for Education’s Post-16 Capacity Fund to partially fund the project.

Principal Matt Reynolds said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see this part of the project come together.

“The whole team have been working like a dream on this fantastic new building; on time, on budget, and top quality. 

"We have a state-of-the-art campus, and this is the latest feature in our brilliant educational environment. 

"We create a really near university-like campus here but with all the support specially tailored for students aged between 16 and 19.

"It’s a fantastic successful progressive model we’ve created, and this new building will be another part of it.”

Thomas Jones, associate director at construction company E G Carter & Co Ltd, said: “The topping out ceremony at Cirencester College’s Avebury Building project marks a significant achievement for our team and partners.

"We are proud to celebrate this important milestone on another new build here at Cirencester College.

"It’s a testament to our dedication to delivering quality construction and enhancing educational facilities for the benefit of students.”

David Marks, associate partner at construction consultancy Ward Williams Associates, said: “Ward Williams are proud to continue their association with Cirencester College with the new three-storey building project."

John Mooney, senior associate at Roberts Limbrick architects, said: “We are once again immensely proud and excited to be continuing our work with Cirencester College on this fantastic new facility.

"We have been fortunate to work alongside other talented design team members and helpful teaching staff at Cirencester College over the years and will continue to keep students and lecturers involved with the build during the design and construction stages.”