Special educational needs college to teach at heritage site

Creating Tomorrow College have been working at Chester House for the past two years

Students with learning disabilities will continue to be taught in a classroom at a £14.5m heritage site.

The Creating Tomorrow College (CTC) has agreed a new five-year lease on the space at the Chester House Estate in Northamptonshire.

It has held classes at the site for the past two years, starting shortly after the historic house opened in 2021.

Gareth Ivett, the principal of CTC, said the college was "really excited".

CTC, which is based in Little Irchester, is part of the Creating Tomorrow Academy Trust. The organisation runs five schools in Northamptonshire and one in Luton for children with a range of learning disabilities.

At Chester House Estate, CTC students have worked alongside estate staff and volunteers around the site, including in customer service, archaeology and food preparation.

The Chester House Estate opened in October 2021

Mr Ivett said: "Both organisations have not only had a positive impact on each other over the first two years, but also the local community and most importantly our students."

He said employment prospects for young adults with learning difficulties can be "very bleak", but learning on the estate could support students "into the world of work".

Chester House Estate, near Wellingborough, was bought in 2004 and cost £14.5m to restore. The site is overseen by North Northamptonshire Council.

The estate has evidence of human activity from more than 10,000 years ago and Iron Age and Roman settlements.

CTC students will continue to learn about customer service, archaeology and food preparation at the estate

Helen Howell, the deputy leader of North Northamptonshire Council, said the students were "an enormous asset".

"In return we look to provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their chosen career," she added.