SUPPORTED learning and the teaching of health subjects will be moved from Evesham College to Pershore College as part of a shake-up.

Warwickshire College Group (WCG) announced in December plans to close Malvern Hills College and shift across students to Evesham, a decision that drew criticism from West Worcestershire MP Harriet Baldwin.

The group has announced how that will look with some of the services on offer at Evesham transferred to the Pershore site more than five miles away.

Evesham College will be set out into three new buildings.

The Hub will act as the main entrance to the college from the Cheltenham Road direction, while the main technical building will house courses including engineering, motor vehicle maintenance and repair, plumbing, carpentry, hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapies.

The creative building will be home to adult learning evening classes such as English and maths, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), hair and beauty, languages, IT and arts.

It will also house digital arts and media courses and new Esports course, which launched in September and provides a pathway into one of the world’s fast-growing industries.

The supported learning provision at Evesham College will be moved to Pershore College from September 2021. Supported learning students will benefit from a new specially developed learning environment which will offer a wider range of learning opportunities.

A new health department will be established at Pershore College, and the counselling and health and social care courses currently run at Evesham College will be moved to this new department.

Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, said: “This development and investment in both the curriculum and the estate at Evesham are a sign of our renewed commitment to long-term investment in the college.

“We are committed to the future of the college and ensuring it continues to provide relevant training and development to meet the skills needs of the local community.

“The facilities we have at Evesham are fantastic and these changes will further strengthen Evesham College as a centre of technical and professional training."