Today (Tuesday, 23 June) councillors approved more than £3M of funding for Meridian Trust to develop a new sixth form facility for Abbey College’s Ramsey Gatehouse Sixth Form.
The Children and Young People committee agreed that grant funding of around £1.9M will be provided to Meridian Trust by the Cambridgeshire County Council, alongside approximately £1.3M pledged by Huntingdonshire District Council.
Meridian Trust have themselves committed a further £300,000 to redevelopment projects at Abbey College in 2026-27.
Abbey College is a complicated site, affected by fragmented land ownership and lease agreements. Many of the buildings in the north part of the site are aging, with repair unaffordable – including the current on-site sixth form facilities.
The council has a statutory duty to secure sufficient suitable educational and training provision is available for all of Cambridgeshire’s young people. Forecasts show there would not be sufficient post 16 places in Huntingdonshire if the sixth form at Abbey College were to close.
Councillors heard how Meridian Trust and council officers have worked together to find a way to provide Abbey College’s Ramsey Gatehouse Sixth Form with a new 200-place sixth form facility.
Following the committee’s approval, the Ramsey Locality Office, on the south part of Abbey College site will now be redeveloped as a sixth form centre for the College’s Ramsey Gatehouse Sixth Form. This council owned building had already been leased to Meridian Trust for use as a site office while they completed redevelopment of other buildings on the Abbey College site.
Grant funding will be provided directly to the Trust, with councillors hearing that they would be best-placed to manage the site-specific complexities, integrate the works efficiently, and minimise disruption to the wider school, while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality education facilities.
Work is targeted to start on site this October, with the aim of completing by September 2027.
Cllr Edna Murphy, Chair of the Children and Young People Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I’m really pleased that with this decision today we’ve been able to safeguard high-quality and local post-16 provision for the young people of Huntingdonshire.
“Aligning with the council’s commitment to ensuring fairness and opportunity wherever we can – securing enhanced sixth form facilities at Abbey College will improve educational outcomes, supporting long-term life chances and financial security.”
Andy Christoforou, Headteacher of Abbey College, said: "We’re delighted with the decision to approve additional investment to support the creation of a dedicated Sixth Form centre for Ramsey Gatehouse Sixth Form at Abbey College. The new facilities will provide an inspiring environment for up to 200 students, strengthen our curriculum offer and enhance the excellent post-16 opportunities available within our community. We look forward to welcoming students into the new centre from September 2027."
Mark Woods, CEO of Meridian Trust, said: "This is a fantastic milestone for Abbey College, Ramsey Gatehouse Sixth Form and the wider Ramsey community. We are grateful to Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council for their support and shared commitment to investing in the future of local young people. Alongside the wider improvements already underway at Abbey College, this investment will help ensure students benefit from outstanding facilities and opportunities for many years to come."
The reports discussed by the committee can be found on our website and a recording of the meeting is available to watch on our YouTube channel.
