College Celebrates Major Milestone with Topping Out Ceremony for New State-of-the-Art Learning Facilities

Bournemouth and Poole College has marked a momentous milestone in the construction of its new cutting-edge learning facilities with a traditional topping out ceremony. The event celebrated completing the structural phase of the project, as the four-storey building reached its highest point.

Bournemouth and Poole College principal, Phil Sayles, together with teaching representatives from each curriculum area at the college, had the honour of signing the final steel beam to signify the progress towards transforming the Bournemouth campus in Lansdowne. The new facilities are a result of a multi-million-pound investment from the government’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund. They will provide students with access to state-of-the-art classrooms, collaborative workspaces, and advanced technology to enhance learning and skill development.

Speaking at the ceremony, principal Phil Sayles said: “This is an exciting day for Bournemouth and Poole College, as the development is well on its way to completion. With the signing of this final steel beam, we are closer to creating a space that fosters creativity, collaboration, and excellence, which our students will thrive in. These new facilities will benefit people from across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole for generations to come.”

Construction partners were also present at the topping-out ceremony, further emphasising the collaborative efforts that are driving the project forward. The transformational programme is due to be completed by 2026 and is being managed by the Department for Education (DfE) in collaboration with construction partners Kier. 

Cheryl Parsons, Regional Director at Kier Construction Southern, added: “It’s fantastic to be marking this important milestone at the Bournemouth and Poole College campus. The project team has worked hard to get us to where we are now, combining engineering excellence with a collaborative approach to ensure the new Lansdowne campus will benefit Bournemouth for years to come. 

“Our work both provides a state-of-the-art new teaching block and maintains and restores the college’s iconic Clock Tower, truly showing the breadth of what our teams can offer. It is a project we are all very proud of.”

Scott Crouch, IT Service Technician, said: "Attending the Topping Out ceremony for our new campus building filled me with a sense of pride and excitement for the future. As an employee within our IT services team, I've been closely involved in witnessing the technology planning for this project - and seeing the structure reach its highest point - brought a real sense of accomplishment. I was honoured to represent all involved.  Knowing I'll play a part in bringing cutting-edge technology to these new learning spaces is truly inspiring. I can't wait to see the building come to life and support the success of our students and staff in the new facilities. The event for me marked a very special moment that has been a long time coming and something I will always remember. Thank you for the opportunity!"

The development will include teaching space to offer a modern learning environment for courses in media, digital, business, travel, hair, beauty, hospitality, catering, and sport. The new building will operate as net zero carbon and include air source heat pump technology. Solar panels on the roof will also be installed to ensure thermal efficiency, meeting the DfE’s latest output specification requirements.  

Bournemouth and Poole College remain committed to minimising disruptions and ensuring a seamless transition for students and staff throughout the construction process.