CLARENDON Sixth-form College, Ashton-under-Lyne, will be officially opened on Wednesday March 9th (2 to 4pm) by Coronation Street star Brooke Vincent.
The college opened its doors to students in September, 2015, and is a key element of the Vision Tameside project which aims to regenerate Tameside. The £10 million building offers a wide range of A-levels and creative courses to help teenagers progress on to university and into employment; It boasts a range of facilities that include drama studios, photography studios, science facilities and a 200-seat theatre. The theatre will be named in Brookes honour.
Kieran Quinn, executive leader of Tameside Council, said:
"A new college is one of the best investments Tameside Council can make. Clarendon provides first-class facilities for our young people to study and enables them to skill-up and get the knowledge and training they need to be successful."
It's been well reported that GCSE results in Tameside have improved significantly this year. The new Clarendon College is another fantastic place for our young people to continue their education without having to leave the borough."
Brooke Vincent plays the role of Sophie Webster and has been a regular in Coronation Street since 2004.
Her portrayal of the character has received many plaudits for promoting gay and lesbian relationships. In 2010 Brooke was part of the Coronation Street team that won broadcast of the year at the Stonewall Awards for its storyline of a lesbian relationship.
Brooke attended Fairfield High School for Girls, Droylsden, and studied drama in Manchester. She first appeared on television, aged 10 in the cult comedy "A League of Gentlemen"; She writes a weekly fashion and make-up blog for a national magazine and is a guest presenter on the Key 103 breakfast show. With more than half-a-million twitter followers Brooke is able toidentify with a diverse range of audiences.
Jackie Moores, principal of Clarendon College, said:
"I am very proud to welcome Brooke to open Clarendon Sixth-form College. She has set a great example to all of us. Her hard-working and determined attitude shows us that anything is achievable if we try hard enough."
She is a powerful role model for the LGBT community and her acting career has helped develop greater awareness about diversity and inclusion.
Brooke's visit will be a good opportunity for students to learn more about how she has developed her interests into career opportunities.