Plans submitted for huge new Leeds college for up to 1,000 students
A proposal has been submitted to establish a new sixth form college for 1,000 students at Thorpe Park in Leeds, aiming to meet rising demand for post-16 education in the city.
Plans have been submitted to create a new post-16 college for up to 1,000 students in east Leeds.
The proposals for the new Thorpe Park College, run by the Delta Academies Trust, would be an effective expanded replacement for the current sixth form at Garforth Academy which currently serves around 400 students.
Property developer Scarborough Group International (SGI), through Thorpe Park Developments Ltd, is bringing forward the circa 90,000 sq ft, four-storey college facility in partnership with the trust.
It aims to open from autumn 2028 and it comes as Leeds faces the highest projected increase in England in Year 11 students by 2028/29.
The move would free up space at Garforth Academy for pupils aged between 11 and 16, allowing existing facilities to be repurposed and supporting wider improvements across the school.
A spokesperson said of the new college: “Designed by AHR, the four-storey building has been developed specifically for post-16 learning, combining teaching spaces with areas for independent study and student life.
“The new college would offer a broad curriculum combining A Levels with technical and vocational routes, including T Levels and the soon-to-be-released V-Levels, providing different pathways into higher education, apprenticeships and employment.
"Its location at Thorpe Park would place students within an established business community of more than 100 businesses and around 7,500 employees, creating opportunities for work experience, employer-led placements and closer links between post-16 learning and future careers.”
Adam Varley, development director at Scarborough Group International, said: “There’s something really compelling about giving young people the opportunity to take their next step in a place like Thorpe Park. They would be surrounded by businesses of all sizes and sectors, seeing first-hand the breadth of careers available to them and, importantly, having opportunities to build those connections before they leave post-16 education.
“For the businesses already here, and those we hope to attract in the future, there’s an equally exciting opportunity to engage with emerging talent, share skills and experience and help young people understand where their studies could take them. That relationship has the potential to be incredibly valuable on both sides.
“Submitting the planning application brings that vision a step closer. It would also introduce something completely new to Thorpe Park, adding to the mix of people and uses here and bringing another generation into the life of the Park.
“We’ve had some really constructive feedback through the consultation and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved. We’ll continue that dialogue as the application moves forward.”
Andy Barnett, CEO at Delta Academies Trust, said: “The submission of this planning application represents an exciting milestone in our plans to establish Thorpe Park College and provide more high-quality educational opportunities for young people in Leeds.
“At Delta Academies Trust, we are committed to creating ambitious, inclusive learning environments where every young person can achieve their full potential. Thorpe Park College is a significant investment in the future of local families, providing students with an inspiring setting in which to learn, grow and prepare for the opportunities ahead.
“We believe these proposals have the potential to make a lasting contribution to the local community and to the wider educational landscape across Leeds. We look forward to engaging with the local community and stakeholders as the planning process progresses.”