Greenhead College celebrates opening of new Hirst building with royal visit

Topic Schools and Colleges

Date 10 May 2024

Greenhead College’s new Hirst building, built by Galliford Try’s Building North East and Yorkshire team, has been officially opened by HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.


His Royal Highness was taken on a tour of the new building, visiting students and staff during their lessons, before cutting the ribbon and unveiling a commemorative plaque alongside Professor Judy Hirst, after whom the building is named, to mark it officially open.


Professor Judy Hirst is a former Greenhead College student who has since become a pioneering figure in science and Director of Studies in Chemistry at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. 


The new state-of-the-art building delivered by Galliford Try, caters for science and social science subjects, and replaces the previous structure that was built in the 1960s.


Greenhead College’s design removes the use of non-sustainable sources of energy and adopts a fabric-first approach to improve the envelope of the college, reducing the energy demand through passive design methods, and helping achieve a net-zero carbon in operation (NZCiO) specification.


Simon Lett, Principal at Greenhead College said: “We are honoured and grateful to His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, for inaugurating the new Hirst building. This new resource is named after Professor Judy Hirst, a former student of Greenhead College, whose support for science and especially championing women in STEM is truly valued.


“As one of the most successful Sixth Form Colleges in the country, these new classrooms and labs will enable Greenhead to go from strength-to-strength.”

Jack Broomhead, Senior Project Manager for Galliford Try Building North East and Yorkshire, commented: “We are proud to have been part of creating this Net Zero carbon in operation facility for Greenhead College, demonstrating what can be achieved with a firm focus on sustainability.”

Photo credit: Matt Radcliffe Photography