Sunderland College recently welcomed Labour MP Lewis Atkinson to showcase its outstanding curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, and positive impact on the local community.
Lewis, the MP for Sunderland Central, took a tour of Bede Campus where he met students and staff to find out how the college is leading the way in academic and technical skills training using the latest video production equipment and immersive technology supported by the Department for Education’s T Level Capital Fund.
During his visit Lewis spoke with students in the Media Centre’s cutting-edge TV studio who discussed their course, expressed their pride in their city and aspirations for working in the creative industries which have never looked brighter, especially with Crown Works Studios set to open in Sunderland in 2027.
Sunderland College has been one of the major authors of the skills strategy for the £450m ‘game changing’ development which will create over 8,000 jobs for the region.
Lewis also met with politics students who were taking part in a parliamentary debate in the award-winning Immersive Space, an award-winning 360-degree VR environment, as part of their course.
Surrounded by a virtual ‘House of Commons’ the students had the chance to ask Lewis about how he got into politics, his background industry, and the main challenges faced by his constituency and the wider city.
He also heard from Vikkie Morton – the college’s Vice Principal of Student Life and Stronger Communities – about how the Immersive Space was part of a pioneering scheme to highlight the dangers of knife crime delivered by Sunderland College and Northumbria Police with the support of the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit and the Connor Brown Trust.
The project saw seventeen pupils, aged 11-14, from Hetton Academy, participate in the innovative week-long Trainee Detective programme where they evaluated the evidence from the investigation into Connor’s tragic murder in 2019 virtually walked through the crime scene.
Rounding off the tour, Faculty Director of Creative, Digital and Computing, Sheree Rymer, screened Open Yer Eyes, a powerful poem penned by staff members in the wake of the devastating 2024 riots in Sunderland. Featuring the diverse voices and experiences of local people, it is a poignant reminder of the city’s resilience and unwavering spirit.
The unrest inspired students to respond with an incredible act of unity and creativity by organising and hosting The Contemporary Sunderland Thread of Life exhibition at the Sheepfolds to celebrate Sunderland’s rich cultural tapestry. Photography, media, digital art, music and performance students – part of the college’s Production Eighteen company – collaborated to create an immersive arts celebration.
Following his visit, Lewis said: “It’s been fantastic to visit Bede Campus and to see some of the excellent facilities on offer, talk to the students and learn more about the college’s impact and work following the riots in the summer.
“I know how hugely important Sunderland College is for our city, for the opportunities for young people. It’s been great to make connections today and discover how we can work together going forward.”
Senior Executive Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Strategy, Emma Cottle, who led the visit, said: “We were delighted to welcome our MP for Sunderland Central to Bede Campus and showcase how our state-of-the-art broadcast facilities and immersive space enhance our outstanding curriculum. Engaging with our students about their future and hearing their pride in our city was truly inspiring.
“Lewis’ interest in our social cohesion projects highlights the positive impact we are making in our community.”
Sheree Rymer added: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Lewis into the Media House where our student-led Production 18 is based.
“Our students were extremely articulate in expressing why this type of environment, with the latest TV and broadcast technology, is important to give them an insight into industry that otherwise they would never have, raise their aspirations and motivate them to achieve.”
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98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
