30 Sep 2005

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester today formally opened a new purpose built co-educational sixth form boarding college for defence students in Woodhouse, near Loughborough, Leicestershire.

HRH toured Welbeck-The Defence Sixth-Form College, meeting staff, students, parents and members of the local community.  HRH saw the state of the art facilities provided for the students aged 16 to 18 in this new building which opened on 7 September 2005.

Welbeck was planned and commissioned by the Defence Academy on behalf of the Ministry of Defence to provide engineers and scientific officers for the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force and the MoD Civil Service.

 Lt General Sir John Kiszely, Director of the Defence Academy, invited HRH to formally open the college by unveiling a plaque at a ceremony watched by over 800 people including 270 students and their parents. Many senior defence personnel were present at the ceremony including Gen Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and Rear Admiral Neil Latham, the Commandant of the Defence College of Management and Technology.

The formalities were followed in the afternoon with a marching display by The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) and a display by The Royal Signals Motor Cycle Display Team - The White Helmets'.
 
The new Defence Sixth Form College has replaced and expanded the very successful Army Sixth Form College which was based at Welbeck Abbey near Worksop in Nottinghamshire from 1953 until 2005. 
 
The students aged 16 to 18 are sponsored by the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force and the MoD Civil Service. After Welbeck students will attend one of 5 selected universities before joining the service of their choice for their initial officer training or working as an engineer, scientist or technical officer in the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said:

"Welbeck College's new facilities at Woodhouse combine the world-class reputation and professionalism of the British Armed Forces with the expertise of the civilian Ministry of Defence.  Welbeck offers its students an education that is unique anywhere in the United Kingdom, matched by resources and opportunities that are second to none.

I congratulate the Defence Academy and the Minerva Consortium on their constructive partnership to provide this excellent purpose built college.

"I view Welbeck as an investment in the future excellence of the Armed Forces. Students who benefit from Welbeck's opportunities will go on to serve their country in the Armed Forces or in key support roles at the MoD.

"The college's reputation and long history can only be enhanced by its new setting and facilities at Woodhouse, and I wish the staff and students every success at their new home."

The new College is a £300 million PFI project designed, built, financed and operated by the Minerva consortium on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. The Minerva Consortium comprises TQ Education and Training Ltd, Interserve and HSBC.

Adrian Ringrose Chief Executive of Interserve plc
"We are proud to be involved in this innovative undertaking with the MOD. Our partnership is already well established as we complete the first phase in the development of the new Welbeck and take up  the challenge of creating and maintaining the right educational environment that will enable the many gifted students here to excel."

  Picture: Stuart Bingham