New educational centre to open in Haverhill next month

The new Personal and Professional Learning centre is expected to open in Haverhill High Street on Monday, November 4. 

On Wednesday, some of the adult learners who have signed up for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes were among those shown around Provincial House where they were able to see the new facilities and interactive technology. 

The centre, which is expected to boost adult learning and skills had a £2million capital investment from West Suffolk Council.

Funda Kaya, viewed the class where she will be having her English lessons from next month. “This is a really good space to learn in,” she said.

Elaine Simmons with Cllr Joe Mason, Cllr Diane Hind and Cllr Margaret Marks and representatives of Eastern Education Group and West Suffolk College in one of the new class rooms (Image: West Suffolk Council)

Another ESOL adult learner, Michal Kamieniak said: “I’m really happy, the class looks really good and is bigger than the room we have been using.”

Other subjects on offer include maths, English, digital and computer skills, business courses, creative arts, and a range of leisure learning options such as floristry, dressmaking, and Christmas crafts.

The new centre will also provide learners with exclusive access to Eastern Education Group’s other sites, including its state-of-the-art XR Lab in Bury St Edmunds which uses cutting edge immersive technology to teach through virtual, augmented and mixed reality.

The XR Lab in Bury St Edmunds - the new centre in Haverhill will provide learners with exclusive access to Eastern Education Group’s other sites, including its state-of-the-art XR Lab in Bury St Edmunds (Image: West Suffolk Council)

Centre manager, Elaine Simmons, said: “It’s about making sure we give people the opportunity to become the best version of themselves for whatever reason they may want that; whether it’s for work, for helping their family, or just to feel better about themselves."

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, West Suffolk’s Cabinet Member for Growth, said: “It is fantastic to see and hear the excitement and enthusiasm from people that will be using the new centre to develop their education and skills."

The new centre will be hosting an open event on Thursday, January 23 where visitors will be given the opportunity to look around the building.