Hull College has recently unveiled the initial phase of its campus transformation, a project that deftly merges Hull’s historic charm with modern educational trends. This transformation, taking place at the Queen’s Gardens campus, signifies a leap forward in the college’s commitment to fostering a learning environment that honours tradition while embracing innovation.
Central to this renovation are the iconic cream K6 telephone boxes, a thoughtful gift from KCOM, symbolising the fusion of Hull’s rich past with its promising future. These iconic structures, now repurposed as integral elements of the college’s landscape, add a touch of nostalgia and local heritage. Complementing this homage to Hull’s history is a vivid mural by local artist ‘Skeg’, an alumnus of the college, symbolising the seamless integration of local culture into the campus.
Beyond aesthetic enhancements, the transformation marks a transition towards cutting-edge educational facilities. The introduction of the Esports Arena represents the college’s commitment to forward-thinking education, providing a dynamic space for the ‘Hullraisers’ Esports teams and fostering a progressive learning environment.
The newly introduced digital learning hub, Elevate, underscores the college’s dedication to creating adaptable and supportive learning environments. With areas like the ‘DigiDen’, ‘Hushed Hideaway’, and ‘CollabLab’, the hub is designed to cater to the diverse academic and well-being needs of students.
Culinary arts have not been overlooked in this transformation. The rebranded training restaurant ‘Bilocca’, named in honour of Lillian Bilocca, serves as a practical learning space for Catering students, connecting them with Hull’s rich maritime heritage.
Further enhancing the campus are the revamped main reception area and ‘Hullywood Gardens’ which has been designed to be ‘the heart of campus social life’ and create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Hullywood Boulevard, the vibrant thoroughfare of the campus, now proudly displays a collection of the city’s iconic murals and a captivating cityscape, mirroring Hull College’s commitment to community and heritage.
Kirstie Cawley, Director of Marketing and Communications at Hull College, shared her enthusiasm about the recent developments, saying, “We’ve made exceptional progress over the past 18 months, highlighted by our recent impressive Ofsted grading of ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features following a full enhanced inspection of the college late last year.
“Part of the college’s journey includes a huge amount of hard work, dedication and vision to create a new and inspiring environment for our students. Our focus has always been to invest in our facilities to ensure that they are fit to develop the skills of talented young people and adults for years to come. The first phase is now complete, and the main entrance and communal areas have a brand-new, vibrant, welcoming and fun vibe. The change has been dramatic, and our campus has a renewed energy. The college has become a place that people want to be and want to spend their time.”
Ms. Cawley also highlighted the progress into the next stage of the transformation, “The second phase of the project is already underway, with a focus on further improving facilities in our main tower block, including our in-house hair and beauty salons, as well as developing our Hull School of Art & Design, Wilberforce, and Cannon Street buildings. Throughout all of these improvements, we are driven by a commitment to fulfil the college’s high aspirations for success and ensuring our students have access to cutting-edge resources and a supportive community that nurtures both academic and personal growth.”
