Bishop Laney Sixth Form celebrated a significant new chapter this week with the official opening of the transformed Needham’s Tower block. Following a £5 million investment supported by the Department for Education, the local landmark located at Ely College in the heart of the city, has been thoroughly restored and repurposed by Meridian Trust to serve as the new home for the region’s post-16 provision.
The plaque unveiling ceremony, held on Thursday 18th September, welcomed local dignitaries, members of the community, staff and students, both past and present. Special guests included representatives from the school Academy Council, the Children and Young People Committee, the Partnership Board, and local councillors who have supported the development of the project.
Principal Simon Warburton led proceedings: “Needham’s Tower is more than just a building; it has long stood as a sentinel over the city’s skyline and has become a symbol of ambition and transformation. ‘Renewed, Revived, Reimagined’ are three words we chose for the commemorative plaque, unveiled today. These words tell the story not only of the building’s transformation, but of our enduring commitment to excellence in education and our unwavering belief in the potential of every student who enters our doors.”
The new academic year sees the centre welcome its first new cohort of Year 12s. The site now offers them reimagined facilities with state-of-the-art teaching rooms, dedicated study areas, and collaborative learning spaces, all designed to support a dynamic sixth form curriculum. He continued: “Every classroom has been thoughtfully designed, every learning space carefully crafted, to inspire and motivate the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers”.
Richard Spencer, Executive Principal at Meridian Trust commented: “Today is a culmination of nearly ten years of work to rejuvenate both the tower and the sixth form. When Ely College joined Meridian Trust, the post-16 provision only had 56 students. With vision, investment and support from our local community and partners, there are over 300 young people educated here today, with plenty of room for continued growth. The evolution of the building reflects that exponential growth and longstanding vision for providing an outstanding sixth form provision for young people in East Cambridgeshire. We’re grateful for the support of our community in enabling us to realise that vision fully for our students and for the wider community.”
Martin Hair, director of estates for Meridian Trust, said: “This transformation, delivered in partnership with the Department for Education, The M&J Group and Peter Smith Associate Architects, has completely revitalised the space, and the results are incredible. This has been a standout project for Meridian Trust and is a brilliant example of what thoughtful investment and collaboration can achieve.”
The refurbished Needham Tower has been transformed into a vibrant, sustainable and purpose-built centre. With a focus on environmental sustainability, the building achieves zero net carbon targets for energy consumption, showcasing a commitment to innovation and regeneration.
Offering tours and taster sessions for its wide range of courses, Bishop Laney is hosting its Open Evening for prospective students hoping to join in September 2026. This will take place on Friday 23rd October 5:30pm – 8pm. Students and their families can book online at bishoplaney.org and view the sixth form online prospectus via MyChoice@16.
