Refurbishment work has begun this week at Petroc College’s campus in Barnstaple and will begin at the college’s Tiverton campus within the next few weeks, to create additional post 16 education places for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, (SEND).
Petroc and Exeter College are working with Devon County Council to make more post 16 education places available, across the two colleges, in Barnstaple, Tiverton and Exeter, for young people with SEND.
At least 350 additional places will be created at the colleges, with multi-million-pound funding from the Department for Education and Devon County Council.
The plans involve creating new on-campus facilities at the three sites with dedicated, purpose-built spaces designed to meet the requirements of young people with a range of additional needs.
Alongside the construction work, the colleges are also developing a wide-ranging programme of support for young people with SEND, beginning before students attend to help make the transitions from school or other educational setting to the colleges as positive as possible.
Councillor Denise Bickley, the council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for services that support young people with SEND, welcomed the start of the work at Petroc college.
“It’s important that young people with SEND have the same access to education and opportunities to learn as everyone, and to do so alongside their friends in their local communities,” she said.
“By increasing provision for post 16 education placements across the three sites – Barnstaple, Tiverton and Exeter – we will be helping to ensure that young people have greater opportunities to access further education close to home.”
Jo Byrne, Assistant Principal Foundation, Academic and Higher Studies at Petroc College, said:
“Petroc is delighted to announce the expansion of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) facilities, further enhancing our commitment to providing an innovative and ambitious curriculum for all learners. This significant development reflects our unwavering dedication to supporting every student’s journey, from transition into further education to employment and independent living. We hold high aspirations for all our learners, and our expanded SEND provision ensures that every individual receives the tailored support they need to thrive, achieve positive outcomes, and realise their full potential.”
Steve Strang, Executive Director of Estates and Sustainability at Exeter College said:
“We are adopting Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) for this project, with offsite fabrication of the modules scheduled to begin in October 2025. On-site works will commence in January 2026, with full Practical Completion expected by August 2026, ensuring the facility is ready for teaching to begin in September 2026.”