How many student places would the new college provide?

The proposed college would provide up to 1,000 post-16 places, helping to meet growing demand for sixth form education across Leeds.

Why this location for a new college?

Thorpe Park has been identified as a highly suitable location given its strong transport connectivity and being placed amongst an established business community giving students access to local employers, work experience and future career opportunities on their doorstep.

How is AHR bringing its education expertise to this project?

Our design approach is shaped by an understanding of how learning environments need to work day to day. This includes considering student experience, staff needs, movement through te building, access, wellbeing, sustainability and long term flexibility.

How does AHR design learning environments for the future?

We design education spaces to be adaptable, inclusive and resilient. for this project, the proposals support a range of academic, technical and vocational pathways, helping create a college environment that can respond to changing education needs over time.

Project News

Shaping a new post-16 learning destination at Thorpe Park, Leeds

Min Read

by AHR

Public consultation has now opened on early proposals for a purpose built sixth form college, inviting local people to help shape the plans.

We’re leading the design of the scheme, which is being delivered by Scarborough Group International (SGI), in partnership with Delta Academies Trust. The plans would bring forward a state of the art, purpose built sixth form college at Thorpe Park Leeds, providing up to 1,000 post-16 places to help meet growing demand across the city.

A purpose-built sixth form college for future pathways

The proposals set out a four-storey facility designed specifically for post-16 education. The new sixth form college would offer a mix of A levels, T levels and other technical and vocational routes. This would support progression into higher education, apprenticeships and employment, giving young people a broader choice of future pathways.

Modern educational facility meeting growing student demands

A welcoming and sustainable design

Our emerging design focuses on creating an active, welcoming education setting that sits comfortably within its surroundings.

The design includes:

Proposed cycle lane with safe access to 120 secure cycle storage spaces promoting green travel
Vehicle access from the eastern boundary leading to car park which has 43 car parking spaces, two minibus spaces and four motorcycle spaces.
Comfortable and welcoming entrance area with seats for students, staff and visitors.
Landscaped walking routes with clear paths to main entrance and surrounding areas.

Sustainability is also central to the proposals, with a requirement for the building to achieve net zero carbon in operation and a target of BREEAM Excellent.

To help minimise operational energy use and associated emissions our design prioritises low carbon and energy efficient systems from the outset.

We're pleased to be working on the next phase of development at Thorpe Park Leeds, where the proposed college would add a valuable education offer to the emerging masterplan, complementing the existing retail, leisure and workplace uses already in place."

Robin Dixon

Project Director

Have your say

This public consultation is an important opportunity for local people, families, students, businesses and communities to help shape the proposals for the new sixth form college.

All feedback will be reviewed and considered as the design develops before a planning application is submitted.

Share your feedback here

Consultation closes on 17 July. If you live, work, study or have a connection to the local area, we encourage you to share your views and help shape proposals for a place the community can be proud of.

In the meantime, you can explore more of our experience working with schools and colleges across a variety of scale and complexity all across the UK here.

Frequently asked questions

: The proposed college would provide up to 1,000 post-16 places, helping to meet growing demand for sixth form education across Leeds.
: Thorpe Park has been identified as a highly suitable location given its strong transport connectivity and being placed amongst an established business community giving students access to local employers, work experience and future career opportunities on their doorstep.
: All feedback received during the consultation will be reviewed and considered as the design develops before a planning application is submitted.
: Our design approach is shaped by an understanding of how learning environments need to work day to day. This includes considering student experience, staff needs, movement through te building, access, wellbeing, sustainability and long term flexibility.
: We design education spaces to be adaptable, inclusive and resilient. for this project, the proposals support a range of academic, technical and vocational pathways, helping create a college environment that can respond to changing education needs over time.