Guernsey Press

Elizabeth College wants to buy RBC’s building

ELIZABETH COLLEGE is set to purchase Canada Court in order to expand its library facilities and study areas.

Published
Elizabeth College has announced it intends to buy the adjacent building owned and used by RBC Wealth Management, providing it can secure planning permission for a change of use.

The independent college has announced its intention to purchase the building next door, which is owned and used by RBC Wealth Management, providing it can secure planning permission for a change of use.

RBC has confirmed it will be relocating to new premises in St Peter Port by the end of 2019.

Elizabeth College principal Jenny Palmer said a planning application for change of use of the building to educational facilities will be submitted this month.

The college hoped to complete the acquisition next year using its current funds, money it is able to raise from supporters and, if required, through borrowing.

‘This fabulous opportunity to expand our site and provide much-needed additional teaching and study space is not one we can allow to pass by,’ she said.

‘The open plan nature of the building is ideally suited, subject to planning, for conversion to improved library facilities and study areas and we are very excited about the enormous enhancement it would provide to the educational experience of our pupils.’

All capital development in the last 20 years have been funded by donations from parents, Old Elizabethans and other supporters of the college.

Canada Court will be purchased because the college’s existing buildings ‘have been expanded as much as is reasonably possible’ and the school is struggling from insufficient teaching and learning space.

‘Elizabeth College has no plan to increase the overall number of pupils,’ a spokesman added.

‘Pupil numbers could only be increased by adding an additional tutor group and a corresponding cohort of additional teaching staff for all relevant subjects.

‘The college cannot countenance undertaking such an increased financial burden, particularly at a time when there is already a need to recruit fee-paying pupils in place of the 23 States-funded special place holders in each year.’

The States grant to the independent colleges will be incrementally reduced by around 50% between 2019 and 2026.

The funds expected to be received in the next eight years are already committed to development and enhancement of the college’s existing site.