A new gateway to skills, innovation and industry
As part of NCG, Newcastle College and Newcastle Sixth Form College’s Rye Hill Campus serves as a major centre for technical education in the North East, bringing together education, industry and innovation to develop the skilled workforce required for the region’s future economy.
Home to more than 15,000 learners, the campus delivers programmes from A Levels to Masters degrees across sectors including construction, green energy, health and social care, creative industries, hospitality and tourism, business, digital and professional services. With ten buildings and specialist centres, Rye Hill is recognised as a critical talent pipeline for the Newcastle City Region.
An important initial phase of the redevelopment involves establishing a new Construction Academy on a vacant location within the campus. This will provide modern, purpose-built workshop and teaching space for trades and construction disciplines, giving construction a dedicated home designed around contemporary industry needs. The move unlocks the wider masterplan by enabling the staged removal of the ageing buildings.
A once in a generation regeneration programme
NCG has commenced work on bold proposals to transform the entire Rye Hill estate, from its southern edge in close proximity to the Redheugh Bridge, to St James’ Boulevard in the north. This comprehensive masterplan is now underway, with initial phases actively progressing to modernise outdated buildings, rationalise underused space, and create new world-class facilities.
The future campus will:
Driving sustainability: connection to the Helix Heat Network
A major part of NCG’s long-term strategy is its commitment to NetZero and sustainable operations. As part of this, seven buildings are being connected to the city’s flagship district heat network at Newcastle Helix, replacing outdated gas boilers with a cleaner, more efficient centralised energy system. This investment strengthens the strategic case for the wider regeneration of Rye Hill, ensuring the new campus is aligned with the city’s sustainability ambitions and future ready infrastructure.
Driving innovation, opportunity and skills for the region
The redevelopment of Rye Hill is part of a broader strategic initiative to enhance the educational offerings of Newcastle College and Newcastle Sixth Form College. This strategy includes substantial investment in specialist facilities and the development of a new Energy Campus, which will extend the current Energy Academy on the banks of the Tyne in Wallsend. The aim is to support skills development in renewable energy, offshore and subsea industries, hydrogen technologies, and other emerging green fields.
Together, these developments will ensure Newcastle continues to produce the skilled workforce required for the region’s most dynamic and fast-growing sectors.
A campus open to partnership
NCG is seeking partners who share its vision for creating a modern, inspiring and industry connected educational environment. The organisation welcomes conversations with:
This is an opportunity to help shape a nationally significant learning hub and play a role in one of the most transformative education-led regeneration programmes in the North.
Size: 22 acres
Gross development value: £90m
Ownership: Newcastle College Group (NCG)
Uses: Educational
Status: In progress, development programme c. seven years
Opportunity: Capital Investment sought as well as development partners and construction partners
