Our proposals
Benefits for Oaklands, our students, and the local community
The opportunity to deliver improvements to the college will enable students who are attending now and, in the future, and generations to come, to have a learning environment that meets their needs and allow the college to continue delivering their education. Many of the proposals also provide benefit to the wider community and not just those studying or working at the college.
The proposal offers an exciting opportunity to enhance Oaklands’ historic campus with multiple community benefits.
Benefits of the development
The changes will deliver a number of key benefits including:
- A Creative Gateway: Facilities to support training for the future talent needed for Hertfordshire’s booming film and TV industry.
- Restoration of the Mansion House: Preserving its historic character for future generations.
- Improved Community Spaces: The redevelopment will create accessible, inclusive spaces promoting happiness and wellbeing, including a vibrant College Square for community gatherings, upgraded sports facilities for all, and an improved animal care centre for educational and family activities. These enhancements will strengthen community ties and support physical and mental wellbeing.
- Place making: A revitalised campus that serves as a hub for education and creativity at the heart of the St Albans community.
- Expanded SEND Provision: A new High Needs Centre to support learners with special educational needs. With growing demand for SEND places in Hertfordshire, the new facilities will address this need, ensuring students receive tailored support, within their local community, to thrive.
- Promoting wellbeing: Updated recreational and sporting facilities for students, local sports clubs and community use.
Building for the future
A Vision for modern, digital, and sustainable education
The redevelopment will create a 21st-century campus, integrating cutting-edge technologies and modern facilities designed to meet the needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s industries.
- State-of-the-Art Teaching Facilities: Equipped to support vocational training, enhancing employability and skills development.
- Digital Learning Spaces: Including Virtual Reality zones and AI-powered learning tools.
- Sustainable and SMART Technologies: New buildings will incorporate green technologies and SMART systems to create an innovative, connected learning environment.
Collaboration
Fostering collaboration with local schools
Oaklands College has long collaborated with local secondary and primary schools to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities. The redevelopment will strengthen these partnerships by offering enhanced facilities that will help prepare young learners for the industries of the future, including film, TV, engineering, and more.
- Enrichment Opportunities: New workshops and teaching spaces will allow local schools to engage in practical, career-focused learning.
- Creating Pathways for Future Careers: We aim to inspire the next generation of students and support their transition from school to college and beyond.
