The Compass Building Opening September 2026!
The future of learning and innovation in the region
We’re hugely excited to welcome students to the brand-new Compass Building; an investment into the future of learning and innovation in the region.
Opening to students in September 2026, the Compass Building will provide an advanced, high-tech teaching environment designed to inspire students across a range of exciting subjects:
• Business
• Catering and Hospitality
• Digital and Computing
• Hair and Beauty
• Media
• Sport
• Travel and Tourism
In addition, the building will offer a range of amenities designed to benefit both students and the wider community. These will include the new Escoffier restaurant and Horizon, our new hair and beauty salons.
Catering and Hospitality
Our brand-new Escoffier restaurant gives students the opportunity to train in a real working environment, learning by experience while serving real customers.
Hair and Beauty
Our new Horizon salons have been designed as professional, dual-purpose spaces, functioning as both commercial salons and aspirational training academies.
Facilities include:
• Main production kitchen
• Pastry production kitchen
• Larder with cooking stations
• Two practical teaching stations
• A dedicated larder store.
Our Catering and Hospitality team creates exciting menus that offer both students and diners the chance to experience a wide variety of dishes, using high-quality ingredients sourced from local producers.
With a 5 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor, Escoffier continues to deliver exceptional dining and industrystandard training.
Facilities include:
Two Hair Salons
Industry-standard salon environments for services including cut and blow dries, highlights, colouring and balayage, using professional products including Wella and Osmo.
Four Beauty Salons
With state-of-the-art treatment rooms, offering waxing, facials, manicures, pedicures, nail treatments and fashion make-up, using premium brands such as Dermalogica and St Tropez.
A Nail and Make-Up Salon
A dedicated specialist space for advanced nail services and creative make-up training.
Sport and UPS
The Compass Building gives our students even more opportunities to learn, train and develop practical skills in modern, purpose-built facilities.
Climbing Wall
Our new climbing wall, built by Kong Climbing, is located within the fitness suite and features five different climbing routes. It includes both automatic and manual climbing systems:
• Automatic systems are ideal for solo climbing and beginners, providing a safe, controlled descent without needing a climbing partner.
• Manual systems are used for more advanced climbing and require a partner for belaying, offering greater control and challenge.
Fitness Suites
Exclusive student-only fitness facilities featuring equipment transferred from our previous building.
Sports Hall
Purpose-built teaching space with courts for a range of sports, including badminton, basketball, tennis and pickleball.
Travel and Tourism Airport Simulation Suite
Students can gain realistic, hands-on industry experience in our immersive airport simulation room, featuring:
• A check-in desk
• Security desk
• Arrival and departure screens
• Aircraft fuselage for cabin crew training.
Aircraft Fuselage
Our A230-style aircraft training fuselage includes:
• Economy and premium economy seating
• Rear galley area
• Cabin crew seats
• Intercom system
• Flight deck visual display.
These facilities provide students with valuable experience in realistic airline and airport environments, helping prepare them for successful careers in travel, tourism and aviation.
