CIRENCESTER College enjoyed a double celebration last weekend, holding a busy Open Day welcoming prospective 2014 students and officially opening the new Nigel Robbins building.

Current students were on hand to act as Ambassadors passing on their knowledge and experience to the droves of prospective students and their parents who took the opportunity to look at the facilities on offer.

Assistant principal, Libby Reed said: “This was our busiest and best Open Day with visitors from all over Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, it had a real buzz and with governors, students and staff working together the Cirencester warmth and atmosphere was all pervasive. Our Ambassadors were fantastic and impressed everyone with their knowledge and confidence.”

Local dignitaries, including Cirencester mayor Joe Harris and the Earl Bathurst, were also in attendance to watch to the first principal of the college, Cllr Nigel Robbins OBE, officially open the building named in his honour.

The building has 12 spacious classrooms and two student study areas and marks phase one of a building project. Phase two, which will provide similar accommodation, will be completed in February 2014.

Cllr Robbins unveiled a commemorative plaque and praised Cirencester College as a “great College providing a comprehensive education for over 20 years and catering for the diversity in the community. Alumni always refer to their time at Cirencester College as a most enjoyable time of their lives and go on to achieve great things.”

Principal Kim Clifford said: “This has been a fantastic day and we are delighted to be providing new facilities in keeping with our mission to be outstanding for our community.”