New School of Education building opens
The University of Chester’s School of Education has officially moved back to its original home.
The newly refurbished building is at the University’s Exton Park campus, the site of the original Chester Diocesan Training College founded in 1839 by a distinguished group of local leading figures in the Church of England, including future Prime Ministers William Ewart Gladstone and the 14th Earl of Derby. It was the UK’s first purpose-built teacher training college which makes Chester one of the longest established higher education institutions in the country.
Formerly known as Molloy, using OfS funding the building was fully refurbished in an environmentally sustainable nature and includes recycled furniture from other areas of the University. The new School of Education building features large ‘living walls’, a state-of-the-art cinema room; an auditorium with retractable seating; purpose-built Science Suites; dedicated Art and Design spaces; direct access to Seaborne Library; a new lift and accessible toilets and showers and changing facilities.
Staff and students were welcomed to the new building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The School of Education was previously based at the University's Wheeler building.
Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “I would like to welcome our staff and students to this new facility where we hope they will enjoy learning and teaching together. I’d also like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to create this fantastic new space.”
Ellen, who is studying BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), said: “The School of Education building has a lovely atmosphere and really promotes a feeling of community and positive learning.
“The new classrooms are modern, bright and easy to access. Alongside the classrooms, the new cinema room provides a space for all of us to meet and talk about our experiences on placement and share ideas about teaching methods.”