The time has come to say goodbye to our Stapleford Arthur Mee Centre (AMC). College staff are busy packing up this week and preparing to move across to our new purpose-built facility ‘The Gateway’, ready to welcome students after February half-term.
Located at our Basford campus, the new £5.4 million independent living and employability skills centre is an exciting new space for our students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (SLDD)
Whilst we are now looking forward to an inspiring future in this new space, we couldn’t say goodbye to AMC without acknowledging the significant time spent at the centre and all the wonderful memories made there by both our staff and students.
Mark Johnson, Head of Faculty SLDD and Foundation Learning, said:
"Arthur Mee has been home to incredible growth, learning, and achievement, and I’m proud of the staff who have contributed to an outstanding department that we’ve built over the years and to supporting hundreds, maybe thousands, of students to become, skilled, confident young adults able to face the world around them. While saying goodbye is never easy, the future is bright. The Gateway represents a new chapter - one that is more inclusive, innovative, and ready to support our SLDD students in even greater ways. Here’s to the next step in our journey of excellence."
Sally Hardwick, who teaches Employability Skills Entry 3, has worked at AMC for 25 years. She said:
“I have shown many visitors around AMC over the years, and they always comment on the happy and welcoming vibe it has. As you walk around the college you are constantly stopped by students saying hello or engaging for a quick chat, whether they know you or not. Communal areas were always full of chatter and laughter. We are sorry to leave but know we can recreate this special atmosphere at The Gateway.”
Mark Badger has worked at AMC as a tutor for around 18 years. Currently teaching Creative Media Entry 3 and Level 1, but he has taught lots of different subjects and levels over the years. He said:
“AMC has always been a strong, supportive community of staff and students, seeing many characters come and go over the years (some of them never left).
“It has established itself as a champion for inclusion and a safe place for students to discover and be themselves, achieving their educational goals in the process. The highly dedicated team of tutors and Leaning Support Assistants always work tirelessly to ensure our students have the best possible learning experience, with plenty of laughs along the way. They are a credit to Nottingham College. It is definitely the end of an era, but the start of a new one at The Gateway.”
Rebecca Lees has worked at AMC for nearly 22 years and teaches on the Sensory course and sometimes Life Skills. She said:
“The majority of our team have been at AMC for years (and aren't part of the furniture because the furniture hasn't been there as long!) and some have left and then later returned. However long we have been there, we all have the same goal, to give the students a fantastic learner journey whilst also having fun!
“Over the years, we've had parties, fundraising events, social groups, Christmas fayres, summer proms, residentials, day trips and guest speakers for the students whilst they've been with us at college. We've had hundreds of students pass through our doors and it is amazing to be part of their learner journey and to see them progress.
“Most of the people who visit AMC, whether staff, student, parent, carer or just a general visitor, have said what a wonderful place AMC is. It really has been a truly special place for everyone, we've all got so many memories and will miss AMC but I'm sure that we can make The Gateway another wonderful place for students to learn.”
Learning Support Team Leader, Kevin Glazier, has worked at AMC for almost 30 years. He said:
“Recently, with the move to The Gateway, I have been asking myself, why I have worked at one place of work for so long? Is it because of the AMC? It is a big part of my working life, nearly three decades. AMC is a very special place, but it’s the students, it has to be the students. It’s why we do what we do, and it was done so well because of AMC. Partly because the way it feels working there and the other, the staff of course. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with the best staff and the best students. Everyone knows everyone, which is rare at a college site.
“I’m confident that we can create that same, safe and nurturing environment anywhere, and we have a brand-new centre to prove this. AMC made us who we are and the future is looking good at Basford.”
To commemorate the move and honour AMC's legacy, a time capsule will be buried at the new site. It will be filled with special memorabilia, photos, and artwork created by our SLDD students.
Got a memory you’d like to share?
We understand AMC has had a huge impact in my staff, students and families lives. If you would like to share a fond memory of AMC, we’d love to hear it.
