STUDENTS put their permanent mark on a new £12million college development which is expected to revolutionise learning options for Weston’s young people.

North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College (NSETC) is under construction at the town’s Junction 21 Enterprise Area and will be completed next July, with a first student intake anticipated for the following September.

However, some students this week enjoyed an early look at progress, and ensured their names go down in the history of the building by signing its newly-installed steel framework, before watching as concrete was poured to create the ground level.

NSETC principal Karen Cornick said: “It’s really very exciting as for the first time we’ve been able to properly envisage what the school is going to look like and it’s the first time that we’ve had students in it.

“The visit also offered a great opportunity for the students to see the construction industry in action as well as have the chance to leave a legacy for the future by signing the steel.”

The purpose-built campus, part of the Weston College group and aimed at 14 to 19-year-olds, will house specialist science, technology, engineering and maths facilities.

They include engineering workshops, a lecture theatre, top-of-the-range IT suites, classrooms and seminar rooms, food technology, textiles and art workshops and a library.

The top floor will house science laboratories and several ‘super labs’ running the length of the building.

Emma Bull, of BAM Construct UK, which is carrying out the work, said: “We hope the visit will inspire the students to undertake an exciting career in the construction industry.

“BAM is delighted to build the new school, as well as help staff and students to utilise the construction site for research, work experience and as a platform to enable the next generation of engineers to take a route into the construction industry.”