Plans are being drawn up for a new purpose-built sixth form college at Thorpe Park Leeds, providing up to 1,000 post-16 places to help meet the demand across East Leeds. Subject to planning approval and approvals from the Department for Education (DfE), Scarborough Group International (SGI) will deliver the new 90,000 sq ft, four-storey facility in partnership with Willmott Dixon and Delta Academies Trust, who will operate the college once completed.

Delta Academies Trust intends to relocate its current sixth form provision at Garforth Academy to the new dedicated Thorpe Park college. The move will enable Garforth Academy to refocus space on its 11–16 provision in response to local need, while ensuring post-16 students benefit from a state-of-the-art, purpose-built environment designed specifically around sixth form learning and facilities. Thorpe Park was identified as the chosen location for the new college because of its combination of strong transport links, everyday amenities, access to green space, the proximity to an established business community which can support student experience and career progression, alongside the catchment of the existing surrounding communities and future housing expansion along the East Leeds Orbital Route.

Once complete, the college is expected to offer a broad curriculum combining A Levels with technical and vocational routes, including T Levels and V Levels, supporting progression to higher education, apprenticeships and employment. Early proposals include specialist vocational spaces for education and early years learning, building services engineering, and hair and beauty.

The proposed college will sit adjacent to Green Park, an area comprising 150 acres of open space currently being formalised by Leeds City Council as a public park, alongside the Council’s planned Park Life sports hub, which will include pitches with changing and community facilities. Students will also be able to access the day-to-day amenities at The Springs, Thorpe Park’s retail and leisure hub.

Located at Junction 46 of the M1, Thorpe Park is well-served by road, bus and active travel routes. Connectivity is also set to be enhanced by a new on-site railway station, currently being progressed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail.

With more than 100 businesses and a professional community of around 7,500 people already based at Thorpe Park Leeds, the new college is intended to support a clear talent pathway, giving students access to local employers, work experience and future career opportunities on their doorstep.

Andy Barnett CEO at Delta Academies Trust, said: "We are delighted to share more detailed plans of our Post-16 Free School at Thorpe Park in East Leeds. As a high-performing multi-academy trust with a strong track record of delivering exceptional educational outcomes, we recognise the growing need for high-quality post-16 places in the area. Our vision is to create a centre of excellence where students can access an ambitious curriculum, outstanding teaching and a rich programme of personal development, enabling them to progress confidently into higher education, apprenticeships and employment.

“The proposed College Free School will be built on collaboration. We are committed to working closely with local schools, businesses and community partners to ensure our provision reflects both the aspirations of young people and the skills needed by employers across the Leeds City Region. Thorpe Park provides a unique location at the heart of a thriving business community, creating exciting opportunities for meaningful employer engagement and real-world learning. We believe this new institution will make a significant contribution to raising aspirations, expanding choice and supporting economic growth in East Leeds, and we look forward to working with stakeholders to bring this vision to life."

Adam Varley, Development Director at SGI, said: “Thorpe Park Leeds has always been about long-term placemaking, creating a connected, mixed-use destination that supports inclusive growth across East Leeds. Over the last 25 years we’ve delivered over a million square feet of workspace, a thriving retail and leisure offer and new homes, and we’re now progressing the next chapter under our wider vision for the remaining development land.

“Bringing forward a new sixth form college is a significant step in that journey. It strengthens Thorpe Park as an ecosystem, linking education, opportunity and employment, and creates a talent pathway for the 100-plus businesses already based here, as well as those still to come.”

Over the last 25 years, Thorpe Park Leeds has delivered more than 1,000,000 sq ft of workspace, retail and leisure space at The Springs and 300 new homes following a land sale to Redrow Homes. Under its revised masterplan vision, the development is proposed to grow to more than 2.8 million sq ft in total, supporting the next phase of development across business space, including city centre quality office space, modern Industrial and Logistics units, hospitality and leisure along with a new residential community, aimed at continuing to position Thorpe Park as the UK’s leading mixed-use business destination.

SGI is currently finalising detailed proposals for the sixth form college with the wider design team and will undertake public consultation with local residents, businesses, students, parents and other stakeholders from 19 June to 17 July 2026 ahead of submitting a planning application later this year. A public exhibition will also take place at Garforth Academy on 2 July 2026, providing an opportunity for the community to learn more about the proposals, meet the project team and share feedback. More details will be shared online at www.thorpeparkleeds.com/consultation.