This ambitious development project in Oakham will build 'Catmose Campus' incorporating a brand new secondary college to be called Catmose College (to replace Vale of Catmose College) including a purpose built art gallery and theatre. The campus will also feature a sports centre called Catmose Sports, packed full of the latest equipment and facilities open to the public during the day and evening. Catmose Community will provide a range of fully inclusive community facilities to include a Learning Disability Resources Centre, a sure-start children's centre, an adult learning centre and an information advice and guidance facility incorporating a cafe. 

Now that the Catmose Campus development site includes a secure perimeter, temporary access arrangements have been put in place for students. The arrangements can be seen on a plan of the site, available to download and view from the downloads section of the site.

Work has now started on the 'Catmose Campus' (formerly known as the 'Big Build') development. Galliford Try are the building contractor and activity on site commenced in late May with site preparation work. In early June the site perimeter will be secured and a site compound established. This will include offices and welfare facilities for site workers, storage areas and vehicle hardstanding. Construction work has started slightly later than planned which means that the brand new campus, comprising a replacement secondary college, sports centre and a range of community facilities, will now open after the Autumn half term break in November 2010.

The construction phase of the project follows a long period of planning and design work. Building work should take 78 weeks in total following which there will be a period for installation of furniture and ICT. The current Vale of Catmose College will then move in to the new school over the two-week Autumn half-term holiday, from Fri 15 October and the new school will be open for business on 1 November 2010. 

An important part in the development of new buildings is the image they portray to the local community and beyond. Up to now the working title of the development has been ‘The Big Build’ however following consultations and a branding exercise, ‘Catmose Campus’ will be the name for the new development. Each area of the Campus follows the same theme with individual logos for ‘Catmose College’ - the new name for Vale of Catmose College, 'Catmose Sports’ - the name of the Sports Centre, shared by the College and community and 'Catmose Community’ – the brand name for all on-site community facilities. Please see Branding the Campus for the logos designs and further details.

Every step possible will be taken to make sure that disruption to local residents is kept to a minimum. For any queries regarding the development please Contact Us.

The Site Master Plan (issued Nov 2008) shows how the buildings will be arranged on the site. This follows the principles of the original plan published in October 2007. The new Sports Centre offering an 8 badminton court hall plus 2 activity studios and a fitness suite will be close to the existing school's sports hall and swimming pool. A new all weather pitch is proposed plus an outdoor 'MUGA' (Multi Use Games Area) that can host tennis/basketball courts. Catmose College is at the heart of the site and will incorporate a new art gallery and theatre with a ‘Community Hub’ that provides access to many public services for everyone, from learning and information to leisure and socialising in the café. The College building will also be home to facilities for learning and day opportunities for all.

All the buildings will be integrated by a public piazza with a focus on pedestrian and cyclist routes with planting to soften the development into the surrounding countryside. All cars and buses will come to the site off Barleythorpe Road via Huntsmans Drive. The site plan is available as a download.