Young people, businesses and the community will see major benefits to education and training facilities in Hillingdon under a £73m building plan unveiled by Uxbridge College.

The 'Building on Success' programme includes both state-of-the-art facilities and major improvements to existing buildings, on the College's two campuses in Uxbridge and Hayes.

The College, which is judged to be outstanding by Ofsted and has been top in London for educating young people for the last two years, is due to submit a planning application for the work to Hillingdon Council early in 2009.

The planned programme includes:

* At both Uxbridge and Hayes campuses: striking architectural enhancement; improved Learning Resource Centres; zoned areas for each curriculum area; increased teaching space; improved refectory, social and recreational facilities; centralised learner services such as student support and careers guidance.

* At Uxbridge Campus in Park Road, Uxbridge: completely new six-court sporting facilities; a dramatic glass-panelled atrium and link areas; increased numbers of classrooms and workshops; attractive new reception area; new engineering workshops, including electrical testing centre; and enlarged art and design studios.

* At Hayes Community Campus, off Coldharbour Lane, Hayes: new performance spaces for drama and dance; more space for computing and IT; new music recording studios and practice rooms; bigger hair and beauty training facilities and an improved restaurant (both for continued public use).

Uxbridge College, which has 10,000 full and part-time students, is to run a series of information sessions for anyone who wants to find out more.

The information sessions will be held as follows - anyone who is interested can just come along, or register in advance by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

* Thursday 4 December, 6-8pm, Uxbridge Campus, Park Road, Uxbridge
* Thursday 11 December, 6-8pm, Hayes Community Campus, College Way, Off Coldharbour Lane, Hayes

Laraine Smith, Principal of Uxbridge College, said: "This is a really exciting project for everyone connected with Uxbridge College including all our full and part-time students, parents, businesses, the local community and all our partners.

"These new facilities are essential to ensure that we continue to offer outstanding opportunities in education and training, support our community, and ensure we are fit for the future. The £73m project builds on the £38m already invested in both campuses in the last decade or so, and will complete both campuses.

"The redevelopment project will play a key part in equipping individuals and businesses with the employment skills they need - something which is more important than ever in the current economic climate.

"We look forward to working with everyone with an interest in our plans, and hope they will take up our invitations to the information sessions we will be running."

The project will be funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the College. Building work is due to start in 2010, with completion by mid-2011 at the Hayes campus and late 2012 in Uxbridge.

The strategic purpose of the project is to ensure all buildings are fit for purpose by replacing lower quality facilities; enlarge and update popular areas to meet current demand; and meet future demand, particularly with the age for leaving school/training being raised from 16 to 17.