Chesterfield university campus on track to open in autumn

Work is almost finished to transform the former St Helena’s Grammar School building on Sheffield Road into the campus.

Students will be able to study engineering and nursing courses at the site, building on the town’s industrial heritage and the university’s existing strong links with training at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

It will also offer business, computing and law courses in state-of-the-art facilities.

Professor Margaret Bruce, deputy vice-hancellor at the University of Derby, said: “The University of Derby has a strong tradition of giving old buildings new life and the completion of the renovation of St Helena comes in the year we also celebrate a decade in the beautiful Devonshire Dome in Buxton.

“Although we have long had a presence in Chesterfield, we are very excited about this development and have been warmly welcomed by the town. We hope that our expansion will contribute greatly towards Chesterfield’s economy and enrich the lives of its people.”

Work on the Grade II listed St Helena’s building – which opened in 1892 and taught 11 to 18-year-old girls – began last July. St Helena’s closed in 1991 and Derbyshire County Council used the building as offices until late 2013.