http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/new-plans-boost-further-education-12892270
New plans to boost further education lead to fears over much-loved Kensington campus
Goolistan Cooper
06:00, 25 APR 2017
Kensington and Chelsea College could move out of Wornington Road as it looks to improve education, leading to concerns over the building's future
Fears have been raised that a much-loved campus could be demolished after plans to modernise further education in North Kensington were revealed.
Kensington and Chelsea College is considering moving from its Wornington Road campus as it plans to modernise facilities and improve further education for school leavers and adults.
The building, commonly referred to as Wornington College, is considered too large and lacking the high-quality accommodation enjoyed by many colleges around the country.
Kensington and Chelsea College said it is considering replacing facilities nearby or on-site, leading to fears of its demolition.
A Save Wornington College campaign has been launched, and a petition signed by 1,638 people will be handed into a Kensington and Chelsea meeting on Wednesday (April 26).
The college says it will increase its intake of students under proposals, and that it remains committed to staying in North Kensington, whether at the current site or nearby.
Michele Sutton CBE, interim principal of the college, said: “The building at Wornington Road has served the college well for many years but even the most nostalgic among us would agree that the facilities could be improved.
“We are staying put in the neighbourhood but we need to ensure that our students are enjoying the kind of environment they deserve when they come to college.”
But a spokesperson for Save Wornington College argued: “The community take great pride in the impact that the college has had on livelihoods, proficiency in English, family prosperity and GDP in the borough and beyond. It has also received Gold Star Awards as a Centre of Excellence for teacher training.”
They fear the site will be redeveloped as housing, and the impact on education. The spokesperson continued: “Students past and present are anxious that the proposed demolition will impact significantly on the capacity of the college to continue to offer the facilities and diversity of courses it currently provides.”
Ex Wornington College student Bernard Shaw added: “We don’t need any more unaffordable housing in North Kensington but what we do need is educational opportunities that inspire and progress the life chances of the community in one of the poorest areas of London.”
The college also has a campus at Hortensia Road, Chelsea, and is well-known for its creative courses. It is the leading provider of 16-18 and adult education in the borough and draws students from across London and beyond – particularly from the surrounding boroughs.
It teaches a range of subjects including art, design, fashion, millinery, photography, music production, humanities, hair and beauty, teacher training, child care, health, print and accounting.
The college has close ties with world-famous Portobello Market near its North Kensington campus.
Mrs Sutton added: “It’s really time that the community in North Kensington enjoyed facilities which match those we already have down in Chelsea.
“I know from my experience across the FE sector that, while it's good teaching that counts most, everyone does better in good modern facilities that are inspirational not just to existing students but also those thinking of studying with us in the future.”
The college is holding a community event at Wornington Road on June 29 from 3pm to 6pm to give people the opportunity to meet staff and share their views about the future of the college’s provision in North Kensington.
Save Wornington College will hold a rally from 6pm on Wednesday (April 26) outside council offices at Kensington Town Hall in Hornton Street before the meeting, which begins at 6.30pm.
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