Bolton's alternative learning environment

ONCE full of policemen and high court judges, Bolton's former Country Police Station is now home to one of the North West's most unique learning environments.

The Organisational Learning Centre (OLC) a Greater Manchester College, is based in the Grade II listed property, making it an alternative learning environment in more ways than one.

"We acquired the station in 2007 and immediately undertook an extensive refurbishment to transform it into a fully equipped learning centre," said Professor John Sharp, OLC's Director of Academic Affairs. "Our main aim was to preserve the station's interesting features such as the fully functional County Court which accommodates up to 125 people!"

OLC is a UK Home Office, fully approved and accredited College of Further and Higher Education. OLC specialise in Business Management, Science and Engineering courses. Facilities include ICT Suites, Mechanical Engineering Workshops, Science Laboratories, Test Laboratories and Inspection Rooms.

"The Court Room, which was still in use up to 2006, is also used by Greater Manchester Police for Officer Training, and by Film and TV Production companies such as the BBC, Five, Sky, and Granada who have filmed several court scenes for Coronation Street," said John. "Our students, many of which are visiting the UK for the first time, love the quirky facilities we offer, and many have even appeared as extras in the various dramas shot here!"

OLC contributes to Manchester's diverse student population and economic growth with students studying from Libya, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

"There is a lot of pressure on Universities to continually develop and extend their campuses in order to attract students, however there is not enough research into if the facilities actually benefit student education," said John.

"We feel that students should leave feeling they have experienced the Greater Manchester culture, both past, present and the future," said John. "OLC have taken a part of Greater Manchester's history and brought it into the 21st century, offering a unique and effective learning environment for students."

ENDS
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