Another major milestone for the development of the EN campus has been formally marked with the official opening of the Henry Cator Building.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited the new build and unveiled a plaque on Wednesday 13th March 2024.
With a particular interest in architecture, His Royal Highness met with staff and students studying a variety of subjects including Fine Art, Graphics and 3D Design, Engineering, Games and Esports before a reception with other staff, students and local dignitaries.
The building is named after one of our most influential local dignitaries - Henry Cator, OBE.
Mr Cator is a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk and High Steward of Great Yarmouth. He was previously High Sheriff of Norfolk for 2012-13. Henry is a Trustee of the Gloucester 1682 Charitable Trust and Patron of a number of other charities within the Borough.
Mr Cator has been instrumental in supporting EN over the past 9 years through a variety of activities and naming the building after him is a fitting tribute to a true Norfolk man, who has been highly influential and supportive to the college and the people of Great Yarmouth and recognition for his achievements across Norfolk.
Mr Cator commented upon the future success of the business and trades in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston being reliant upon a skilled and well-trained work force that will be needed to work in the expanding off shore, marine and high-tech industries. The new building offers state of the art facilities to give students the training and confidence to find employment in these important areas locally. These highly skilled jobs for local people will be the bedrock of future prosperity in Norfolk.
The Henry Cator Building is a new, two-storey build, that has the following resources:
• 2 Engineering classrooms, a state-of-the-art workshop and CAD Suite
• 2 state of the art Games Development classrooms
• A Land Management Laboratory to link East Norfolk to agriculture
• Environmentally friendly technology including solar panels to harness and store electricity
The investment in this building supports our strategic aims to raise educational and professional standards across Norfolk and North Suffolk for all young people and to increase higher level skills for employment, higher education or further training across the area.
The technical and agricultural skills being taught in this new building are essential for Norfolk and enables the college to help meet the local skills priorities.
EN Principal, Dr Catherine Richards said: “For over 42 years, East Norfolk Sixth Form College has been at the forefront of raising aspirations and educational standards across Great Yarmouth and North Suffolk. We place community aspiration and excellence at the heart of everything we do, by seeking to improve the lives of people living in our communities and by providing outstanding opportunities. The new Henry Cator Building is the latest important milestone in our journey to providing the very best facilities to support the learning of our 1700 students and ensure this leads to the very best outcomes for families, the community and the area.”
Mr Cator added how delighted and humbled he was to have this fantastic new building named The Henry Cator Building but also how excited he was by the opportunities and skills it will offer to the students at East Norfolk Sixth Form College now and in the future. He congratulated Dr Catherine Richards and her staff on their dedication and ambition to give the very best education to the students.”
