Eastern Education Group’s XR Lab at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds is crowned ‘most inspiring place to learn’ in the UK
An Extended Reality (XR) Lab that aims to create new, personalised learning methods that extend far beyond traditional classroom teaching has scooped a national award.
The XR Lab, sited at West Suffolk College’s University Professional & Development Centre in Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, has won the Inspiring Learning Space accolade in the Education Estates Awards.
The high-tech facility, which cost £2 million to build, was designed by WindsorPatania Architects and officially opened in December 2023.
Tom Lloyd, Eastern Education Group’s director of skills and strategic development, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won this award among such an outstanding collection of finalists this year.
“The Inspiring Learning Space award highlights everything we aim to achieve with the XR Lab; blazing new trails in immersive education and creating a cutting-edge environment where learners and businesses can thrive.”
Jake Mills, technical developer of VR at Eastern Education Group, said: “An XR experience is a safe space for students to make mistakes and learn by doing.
“We can put people in places and scenarios that would be otherwise expensive, impractical, or even impossible.
“XR technology can make learning accessible by removing the barrier of geography and allowing users to collaborate from anywhere.”
He added: “The XR Lab is working to further integrate XR into existing teaching and learning. The development of bespoke XR content through collaboration with our partners will produce experiences that enhance learning for students across the group and beyond.”
Benadict Joseph, technical operations manager at the XR Lab, said XR technology can be used to support learning at any age and in any stage of the education system.
“Learners from young ages have had the chance to experience the XR Lab through primary school visits and Skills Escalator events.
“Showing younger learners how XR can be applied in different fields and industries gives them an idea of what the future of learning could look like, and could potentially inspire the next generation of innovators.”
Marked by a glitzy ceremony at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester, the Education Estates Awards celebrate excellence and achievement within the education sector, with categories ranging from innovation, to sustainability, to design.
