Pembrokeshire College will unveil proposals today (Monday) for a £6.6 million A-Level Centre on its Haverfordwest campus.

The new state-of-the art facility will accommodate the college’s current A Level students as well as those from Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Ysgol Dewi Sant who, subject to ministerial approval, will attend the college for sixth form education from September 2017.

The centre promises to boast “exceptional sixth form facilities” including new science laboratories, high quality sports facilities, vibrant classrooms, state-of-the art learning technology and flexible delivery spaces.

“By investing in an A-Level Centre, we are investing in the futures of the young people of Pembrokeshire and showing our commitment to providing the best educational opportunities possible, both now and in the future,” said college principal, Sharron Lusher.

The planned development will comprise a two-storey new building on the campus, linked to the existing college, which will create an A-level centre featuring high-tech laboratories, a sports hall and fitness suite, together with modern and spacious classrooms. A flexible learning hub will be in place as well as spaces for extra-curricular activities.

The location of the centre will also enable A-level learners to access vocational qualifications with some of the college’s vocational areas being remodelled during the building work.

The college reported a doubling of A-Level enrolments in September last year, to 150. The proposed merger with sixth forms in Fishguard and St Davids will mean an additional 100 students in 2017, increasing to 170 extra students in 2018. This will make the centre the largest provider of A-level qualifications in the county. It will be run by an A-level committee, which will consist of school, college and local authority representation.

“This is an extremely exciting time for both Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire College,” said Mrs Lusher.

“The A-level Centre will provide a dynamic environment that will allow us to prepare our young people for the workplace or higher education. With almost 200 learners progressing to university last year, the centre will become a valuable resource in helping even more learners to progress to some of the UK’s top universities.”

The planned extension is subject to Welsh Government funding, obtaining relevant planning permissions and ministerial approval. If approved, it is anticipated that the £6.6 million build will be funded partly through Welsh Government 21st Century Schools funding, and partly by the college.