News / city of Bristol college
College to undergo a major rebranding
“City of Bristol College has been a sleeping giant and is now awakening,” said the college’s new chairman Phil Smith during a major rebranding event.
The event took place at its College Green campus on Deanery Road on Thursday with the attendance of staff, students and well-wishers of the college.
The college which boasts of a turnover around £50m is hoping to build on its legacy and bring it up to date with latest developments in the education sector. The rebranding includes building of new classrooms, study areas and reimagined communal areas with freshly installed flower beds and seating areas.
is needed now More than ever
The event started with the address of Phil Smith who stressed that the rejuvenation of Bristol does not rest on one organisation but a combined effort of institutions and organisations such as University of Bristol, University of West of England, Bristol City Council, West of England Combined Authority alongside the City of Bristol College.
@CoBCollege launched its rebranding project which will extend for the next five years. Julia Gray, the principal and CEO of the college on the new vision pic.twitter.com/2Q1KCZW9nr
— Milan Gregory Perera (@stbonscc) September 13, 2024
It was followed by the presentation by Julia Gray, principal and chief executive of Bristol College who unveiled the five-year “eightfold” strategy of the institution under the rebranding project.
She explained that the college is not an “exam factory” but a “centre of excellence, innovation and learning” to prepare the next generation armed with skills desired by employers who “look beyond exam results” to find suitable candidates.
The newly renovated courtyard area with seating areas and flower beds – photo: Milan Perera
According to her, the new signage in bright colours epitomises the college’s “refreshed vision, mission and energy”.
She further added that the college exists because of people and explained the paramount importance of enhancing its human resources. She thanked the architects and construction team for the quick turnaround which delivered a major transformation in a short period of time.
“City of Bristol College has been a sleeping giant and is now awakening,” said Phil Smith, chair of the college who is also the managing director at Business West – photo: Milan Perera
Speaking to Bristol24/7 Julia Gray said: “The rebranding, the vision behind the rebranding is to reflect all our students from anywhere in the city and anywhere in the region.
“We wanted to inspire our students now and into the future. And it’s about our students’ journey, so our students may go on a journey that’s not quite a straight line. They may choose different paths. Then they start with one qualification, and they may go onto another qualification. They may start with one sector and go into another sector.”
“Even more we wanted to inspire our students and create emotion and create a passion for learning. And what we’ve been told so far about our rebranding is that it creates happiness, it creates enthusiasm, and it’s had a real strong impact,” said Gray.
Lecturers also welcomed the rebranding as it has brought a “new life” to the college ”beyond concrete and steel”. Rebecca Harper, lecturer in media, makeup and barbering enthused about the new green spaces among the seating area. Harper who has been teaching at the City of Bristol College for four years said the new transformation will have a positive impact on both students and teachers.
Lecturer Rebecca Harper said the renovation will have a “positive impact on both students and staff” – photo: Milan Perera
Also speaking to Bristol24/7, Dale Simpkins, director of estate, facilities and ICT lauded the transformation of the communal courtyard as a “major success”. He said: “We’re going to go on a refurbishment of our reception area to our College Green Center, along with the courtyard area that is out on level three, but also an area down on level two, which had planters and a cycle track. It was very poorly utilised.
“The whole area has gone through a transformation; now it’s a much better use of the space. Students have got areas they can come and sit outside in during the day, when they’re on their breaks or lunch. It’s been really well received by the students.”
Dale Simpkins, director of estate, facilities and ICT lauded the transformation of the communal courtyard as a “major success” – photo: Milan Perera
Jeza Jaufferkhan, a student who is studying for his BTEC qualification in computer science mentioned how it has changed from a “sad old building” to an “exciting place”. Jaufferkhan said: “We were like, what is it? What’s going on? They were teasing us on social media. And then, it was like, just wow!
“Anyway, it was amazing, especially the main area downstairs, and then when you walk into the courtyard, it feels more modern, more warm, it feels like a close knit community. Whereas back then, it looked a bit drab, you know, old fashioned.”
The event included informal networking sessions in the foyer – photo: Milan Perera
The event included informal networking sessions and guided tours fueled by canopes and thematic cup cakes with the courtesy of Kate’s Kitchen.
Jeza Jaufferkhan who is studying for his BTEC was positive about the transformation of the facility from a “sad old building” to an “exciting place” – photo: Milan Perera
Main photo: Milan Perera
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