Gloucestershire College is preparing to open a new campus in Cheltenham later this year, marking its second site in the town. The college has acquired and will refurbish the former Hardwick university campus, a 37,000-square-foot facility located just a 10-minute walk from Cheltenham’s town centre. This new campus will directly address the rising demand for post-16 education across Gloucestershire, with specialised programmes in Construction and First Steps commencing in September 2026.
Principal and CEO Matthew Burgess expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “Expanding our provision in Cheltenham with a bespoke facility is a significant investment in the county’s future skills pipeline. Our strong record in responding to learner needs assures us this expansion will benefit local young people.”
The First Steps programmes will focus on entry-level education, helping students build confidence and essential skills in English, maths, and digital literacy. These courses aim to guide learners towards further study or career paths in a supportive and flexible environment. With solid partnerships with local employers and support organizations, the college intends to help more residents reengage with learning and transition into sustainable and positive futures.
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Luke Freeman, CEO of MF Freeman Group—the company facilitating the campus acquisition—highlighted the significance of repurposing the building for education. “It’s rewarding to see the space revitalised for Gloucestershire College, a respected local education provider. Our ongoing plans for the entire site seek to create a vibrant living and learning community integrated with the local area.”
Refurbishment will begin in the coming weeks alongside recruitment efforts for staff to support the campus expansion. The college expects to welcome its first students and employees to the site in autumn 2026.
This development aligns closely with the priorities set out in Gloucestershire’s One Plan for Children and Young People 2024–2030, which calls for stronger transitions into further education, better guidance into adulthood, and more accessible provision—particularly for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). By expanding local post-16 education options, the new campus reduces travel barriers and supports increased inclusion, progression, and skill-building within the county.
Through the modernisation of the Hardwick site and its enhanced educational offerings, Gloucestershire College aims to play a central role in ensuring young people in Cheltenham and the wider county have the opportunity to stay in education, develop vital skills, and successfully move into further study or employment.