The existing music facilities cannot accommodate bands greater than 4-5 members, and due to the positioning of the space below residential accommodation, the times available for use are limited due to noise breakout. With over 560 student residents on site at Collingwood College, the College were keen to listen to the views of the students, many of whom had been requesting an updated and expanded music provision.

The approved plans, which were put together by GSSArchitecture, incorporate high-quality facilities including a live room, drum booth, vocal studio, circulation/break out space and practice rooms. In order to provide a facility that will better suit the needs of the students, the layout has been designed to divide the space in to three sections: recording, social & entrance, and practice. This layout ensures reduced disruption to the recording suite from the practice rooms, therefore providing an improved space compared to the current music provision, which does not have dedicated spaces for recording and practising.

The single storey building is to be constructed on an existing car park at the College, adjacent to a major student circulation route to and from the campus. GSSArchitecture adopted a sustainable approach to the design of the building, including photo-voltaic panels.

Speaking of the approved designs for the new custom music facility, Professor Joe Elliott, Principal at Collingwood College, said “GSS has once again provided us with an iconic design that will enable our students to maximise their potential.”

The objective of the project is to create a professional magazine style show based on lifestyle, culture and events in the sporting world. The project has given NewVIc students a once in a life-time opportunity to take full creative control of the content produced, with training and guidance provided by BT Sport staff along the way, providing students theoretical and practical experience. The annual project forms a part of BT Sport’s commitment to involve local communities that surround the channels production site at Here East in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Licia Conn, Producer for BT Sport, said: ‘The course this year definitely felt like a bigger challenge to achieve within the current pandemic. But the students that enrolled this year were so committed to the course, and gave everything they have to give, that we ended up creating a programme that was just as strong as last year, if not more so! It was a pure pleasure being part of the course, and getting to know all the students individually. I felt very lucky to be part of the Takeover team.’

Wiktoria, Level 3 Media Production student added: “What an incredible experience, eight weeks of pure fun and learning so much. Being in this environment and working on the floor of an actual studio on a professional video and shadowing staff, you don’t do that every day. Without NewVIc and BT Sport this wouldn’t have been possible and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I can take this experience with me to help me in my future career. It has also widened my thoughts about media production as I have always had a passion for it and where it could lead, I can’t talk highly enough for what this experience has meant to me.”

Maria Kelesidi, Media Teacher, Newham Sixth Form College, said: “This was an exciting opportunity for students from NewVIc to produce a 22-minute magazine-style studio show that is based on lifestyle, culture and events in the sporting world from their own perspective that represents London. A superb learning opportunity on all aspects of production. We are extremely proud of these students and what they have achieved with the project and very lucky to be working with BT Sport, giving students this experience in a real working environment for two years running.”

The student-produced show will premiere in a private event with family and friends then going live on Saturday 26 December at 6.45pm BTS2, following Live Gallagher Premiership Rugby – Northampton Saints v Worcester Warriors.

It will also run on ESPN in December at the following times: 27/12 8.30am, 28/12 5.30pm and 28/12 at 11pm.

NewVIc’s final show which was broadcast last year can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztCkjdYCnY0

Alongside their studies and through the new Scholarship, students will work on a wide range of creative projects in response to client commissions and develop key technical skills, whilst using the newly-opened TV studio space on site at the College, designed specifically with the Scholarship in mind. The Scholarship programme will challenge students and stretch their problem-solving, critical thinking, technical understanding and professional practice skills.

Bob Coates, Director, Cambridge TV, said: “Cambridge TV is delighted to be working in partnership with Impington International College to create a unique scholarship programme which delivers both academic and practical skills. Students will work on real projects, learn alongside industry professionals and build a portfolio of broadcast quality video output second to none.”

Accessible to all students, the Scholarship is designed to complement the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) on offer at the College. Impington International College has been offering the IB for 30 years and was recently crowned the UK’s top non-selective provider of the IB by the Sunday Times Parent Power list 2020.

Jo Sale, Vice Principal, Impington International College, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Cambridge TV for our new Film and Media Scholarship, which will give our students such an incredible opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insider knowledge in order to grow their passions and understanding of film, media and production; giving them the very best chance at achieving their dreams. We are excited that students will also benefit from the new on-site TV studio, which will stimulate our students’ creativity and allow them to refine their skills while working and studying independently so that they are ready to progress to their chosen career.”

The new Film and Media Scholarship is available alongside the College’s other well-established Scholarships, including: The Performance School and a number of Sports Scholarships in partnership with a range of professional teams. If you’re interested in finding out more about post-16 options at Impington International College, you can book a 1:1 meeting with a senior member of staff to ask any questions that you may have. To do so, please get in touch via: international@ivc.tmet.org.uk.