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Elutec’s temporary campus at Londoneast-uk is on schedule to open at start of new term

London – July 6, 2015: Construction of a new temporary campus for Elutec College of Design and Engineering at Londoneast-uk Business and Technical Park is on schedule to be completed in time for the start of the autumn term on September 2.

A 15-strong build crew has been on site since early June transforming existing buildings, including workshops and laboratories, at the former Sanofi site in Dagenham which will be handed over to the East London University Technical College in August for the final fit-out of machinery and equipment ahead of the new term.

Elutec is planning an Open Day on Tuesday, August 25, when existing students, new students, parents and tutors can familiarise themselves with the campus. Visit http://www.elutec.co.uk/ for more information about this event.

Londoneast-uk, owned and operated by SOG Group, is providing temporary accommodation for around 450 students. It will be in place for 12 months while a multi-million-pound purpose-built campus is created at the location that will ultimately house more than 600 students by 2017.
SOG Managing Director John Lewis said securing a deal with Elutec has enabled Londoneast-uk to be trading profitably in its first year of operation. He said the Park had made tremendous progress in the first six months since it was launched and he expects to maintain that momentum.

“Have we done better than expected? Absolutely. Do we think we will continue to do good business on this site? Absolutely. Where will we be in two years? Probably developing other buildings. We have really got off to a flying start and intend to build on this success,” added Mr Lewis.

Elutec’s Principal Ruth Umerah said: “I’m thrilled with the progress that’s being made on our temporary campus. Things are really taking shape and our students cannot wait to move here in September. One of the major benefits of Londoneast-uk is its excellent transport links with road and rail services right on the doorstep which will dramatically reduce the travelling time for many of our students.

“Importantly, our new college campus will be situated in the heart of a working business and technical park which will enable us to interact with the sorts of specialist engineering and technical businesses that we are preparing our students to work for. It is tremendously exciting and I hope this excellent new facility will encourage more students to join our fast-growing college.”

SOG’s design team and technicians are carrying out a re-furbish programme to transform existing buildings into 22 classrooms, engineering workshops, scientific laboratories, Sixth Form Study spaces, recreational area, staff room, student dining room, kitchen and toilets. The entire campus, including car parking, covers an area of about 50,000 square feet.

Meanwhile work on developing a permanent new campus for Elutec is due to get underway in the autumn and scheduled for completion by September 2016.

The permanent campus will have classrooms, engineering workshops, science laboratories, sports hall, exam hall, a Pod lecture space with a main reception and forum for exhibiting students’ work. There will also be students’ common rooms, dining areas, staff room, administration offices and toilets.

bout Elutec
Elutec which was launched last year is one of a new breed of school in the UK called a University Technical College (UTC) focused on delivering high quality technical education alongside more traditional academic subjects. Its motto is ‘Engineering. Education. Employment’ and its aim is to inspire young people in East London and Essex to become the next generation of talented engineers and designers through a really positive education experience which equips them with the skills, knowledge and personal qualities they need to have a successful career in industry.

Elutec’s curriculum and learning techniques are unique, allowing students to combine theory with practical activities: putting learning into practice. Students benefit from a wide range of extension activities, allowing them exceptional opportunities to pursue many different interests outside the main curriculum.

PAUL SMITH ASSOCIATES
6th July 2015