Key Points:
- Scarborough Group International (SGI), via subsidiary Thorpe Park Developments Ltd, has formally submitted plans for a 90,000 sq ft, four-storey post-16 college at Thorpe Park Leeds.
- The facility aims to accommodate up to 1,000 students in partnership with Delta Academies Trust.
- Subject to planning permission and Department for Education approvals, Delta Academies Trust will relocate its existing post-16 provision from Garforth Academy to the new site.
- The relocation is intended to release capacity at Garforth Academy for its 11-to-16 student provision, allowing existing infrastructure to be repurposed.
- The wider project delivery team includes architect AHR, planning consultant Zerum, transport consultant Mosodi, cost consultant BWF, engineer Buro Happold, landscape architect Ares, and contractor Willmott Dixon.
- The proposed facility will offer a mix of traditional A-Levels alongside vocational pathways, including T-Levels and upcoming V-Levels.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) September 7, 2026 — Plans to construct a major new educational facility in East Leeds have advanced following a formal planning submission by developer Scarborough Group International. The development centres on a circa 90,000 square foot, four-storey campus designed to support up to 1,000 post-16 students. Brought forward through SGI’s subsidiary Thorpe Park Developments in collaboration with Delta Academies Trust, the initiative seeks to address expanding educational demand across the region.
What Are the Core Details of the Thorpe Park College Proposal?
The proposed development involves a purpose-built educational environment tailored specifically for post-16 learners. As outlined by project developers, the four-storey structure has been engineered by architectural firm AHR to combine contemporary teaching spaces with dedicated zones for independent study and student life.
Subject to statutory planning consents and final approvals from the Department for Education, Delta Academies Trust intends to transition its current sixth form operations from Garforth Academy into the new Thorpe Park campus.
According to project stakeholders, this relocation will expand overall post-16 capacity while simultaneously freeing up crucial physical space at Garforth Academy, enabling the existing school to repurpose rooms and implement wider facility improvements for its 11 to 16 student cohort.
How Will the New Facility Connect Education with Local Industry?
Emphasising the strategic value of the location, Adam Varley, development director at Scarborough Group International, noted that integrating a college within a thriving commercial business park offers unique advantages for young people.
As reported by development director Adam Varley of Scarborough Group International, Varley stated that:
“There’s something really compelling about giving young people the opportunity to take their next step in a place like Thorpe Park. They would be surrounded by businesses of all sizes and sectors, seeing first-hand the breadth of careers available to them and, importantly, having opportunities to build those connections before they leave post-16 education.”
Varley further highlighted the reciprocal benefits for the corporate community currently operating within the estate. As reported by development director Adam Varley of Scarborough Group International, Varley stated that:
“For the businesses already here, and those we hope to attract in the future, there’s an equally exciting opportunity to engage with emerging talent, share skills and experience and help young people understand where their studies could their lead them. That relationship has the potential to be incredibly valuable on both sides.”
Discussing the broader community integration, Varley added that:
“Submitting the planning application brings that vision a step closer. It would also introduce something completely new to Thorpe Park, adding to the mix of people and uses here and bringing another generation into the life of the Park. We’ve had some really constructive feedback through the consultation and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved. We’ll continue that dialogue as the application moves forward.”
What Do Educational Leaders Say About the Milestone?
Representing the operational side of the partnership, Andy Barnett, chief executive of Delta Academies Trust, stressed that the planning milestone marks a pivotal step toward expanding high-quality choices for regional families.
As reported by chief executive Andy Barnett of Delta Academies Trust, Barnett stated that:
“The submission of this planning application represents an exciting milestone in our plans to establish Thorpe Park College and provide more high quality educational opportunities for young people in Leeds. At Delta Academies Trust, we are committed to creating ambitious, inclusive learning environments where every young person can achieve their full potential.”
Addressing the long-term impact on the community, Barnett added that:
“Thorpe Park College is a significant investment in the future of local families, providing students with an inspiring setting in which to learn, grow and prepare for the opportunities ahead. We believe these proposals have the potential to make a lasting contribution to the local community and to the wider educational landscape across Leeds. We look forward to engaging with the local community and stakeholders as the planning process progresses.”
Who Makes Up the Professional Project Team?
The delivery of the multi-million-pound educational hub relies on a multidisciplinary team of consultants and contractors. The planning application was formally lodged with Leeds City Council by planning consultancy Zerum on behalf of Thorpe Park Developments Ltd. The wider professional consortium comprises architectural design by AHR, transport planning by Mosodi, cost consultancy by BWF, engineering solutions by Buro Happold, landscape architecture by Ares, and construction delivery appointed to Willmott Dixon.
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Background of the Development
The submission follows a period of localized public consultation held over the summer months, allowing local residents, businesses, and prospective students to review designs and provide feedback. Thorpe Park Leeds has evolved over the past 25 years into a major mixed-use business and leisure destination, delivering over one million square feet of workspace, alongside retail outlets at The Springs and surrounding residential communities.
The inclusion of a major educational facility introduces an institutional demographic to the commercial ecosystem, aligning with local authority goals to improve infrastructure alongside regional residential and commercial growth.
Prediction
This infrastructural development is positioned to significantly alter the post-16 landscape in East Leeds by bridging the gap between academic institutions and commercial employment. For local students, families, and regional employers, the proximity to over 100 established businesses at Thorpe Park creates structured pipelines for vocational training, apprenticeships, and career mentorship.
By offering a blend of traditional academic routes and technical qualifications such as T-Levels, the college is anticipated to ease capacity strains on existing secondary schools while supplying local enterprises with a localized, highly trained talent pool.
