The result is a vibrant facility where JCG students can socialise, co-work, buy healthy meals and snacks, and take part in events.

Carl Howarth, JCG's Principal, said: "The project has massively exceeded our expectations and I have loved watching the reaction of students as they have seen the space for the first time. Their first reaction is "Wow – this is so much better than I expected", their second is "You don't believe you are in a school."

Mr Howarth continued: "Working with Santander International has been a real pleasure and we are very grateful for the support and guidance we have had with the design, the project, and the very generous financing. It has been a great partnership. The students acknowledge how lucky they are and are very excited about using the new facility."

 

Pictured: The café provides a new space in the college for staff and students to work, eat and socialise.

Hector's will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 in term time, serving drinks and cold food prepared by the college kitchen. It also has a coffee machine available for Sixth Formers and staff. The emphasis is on healthy, sustainable produce, and no single-use plastics are used.

James Pountney, Chief Executive at Santander International, said the bank was "delighted" to have worked with students on the project. 

"Hector's Café draws on the ethos of the Santander Work Café, becoming a café within a school, not only a place for students to get food and drinks, but a living space for everyone to use in different ways," he said.

Carl Howarth, JCG's Principal, said: “The project has massively exceeded our expectations and I have loved watching the reaction of students as they have seen the space for the first time. Their first reaction is "Wow – this is so much better than I expected", their second is "You don’t believe you are in a school.”

 

Students were included in the project, choosing the inspirational quotes to go on the walls and well as the cafe's name, as Hector the dog has been a part of the college since he was a puppy.

 

Mr Howarth continued: “Working with Santander International has been a real pleasure and we are very grateful for the support and guidance we have had with the design, the project, and the very generous financing. It has been a great partnership. The students acknowledge how lucky they are and are very excited about using the new facility.”