An education centre in Whetstone for young people unable to attend mainstream schools was reopened last week following a major upgrade.

Local dignitaries took part in an official ceremony on Thursday at the Pavilion Study Centre, which offers educational programmes and services for up to 73 local young people.

Opening the new space, Cllr Pauline Coakley Webb, Chair of Barnet Council’s Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee, said: “This new building is a wonderful place for our young people to be able to enjoy their education and prepare them for the next steps in life.

“I’m so proud of the effort and care everyone involved has given to making this a place that our young people deserve and where they can thrive.

“We want everyone in Barnet to feel that they have the opportunity to succeed and flourish in their communities, and this building and the people working in it are a testament to those aspirations.”

Joanne Kelly, Executive Headteacher at Pavilion, said: “When young people used to arrive at our old buildings, their feelings of rejection and failure were often reinforced by the accommodation that they were faced with. Our new building has changed all that, and now young people arrive with a feeling of hope. They recognise that they are valued and have a real chance to start again.”

The upgrade – which includes science, art and technology workshops, an IT suite and space for music, drama and modern sports facilities for students and local sports clubs – was part-funded with £8.7million by the Department for Education.

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