Senior figures from City of Wolverhampton Council joined the Brookfield family and college principal and chief executive Louise Fall on Thursday 11 December to mark the occasion at the new city centre campus.
The event saw the official unveiling of a commemorative plaque located outside the main building. It marks the dedication of the college’s new CitySixth study space – a specialised area for A-level students – to the memory of the former Council Leader.
The tribute complements a similar plaque unveiled at The Halls Wolverhampton last year, further celebrating his lasting legacy to the city’s regeneration.
Councillor Brookfield, who passed away, aged 57, in July 2023, was a driving force behind the city’s development and championed the £61 million City Learning Quarter scheme to improve skills and employment opportunities for residents.
The unveiling was attended by Councillor Brookfield’s wife, Councillor Paula Brookfield, and their son, Councillor Paul Brookfield. They were joined by Council Leader Councillor Stephen Simkins, Deputy Leader Councillor Steve Evans, and senior council cabinet members and directors.
Following the unveiling, the group was given a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities, which opened to students for the first time in November.
Councillor Simkins delivered a heartfelt tribute at the ceremony, praising the critical role Cllr Brookfield played in the multi-million-pound development of the City Learning Quarter.
He said: “Ian’s major priority for this city was children and their education, and we honour him here today because this new campus opens up opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential and be proud to say they have been through the doors of our city college.
“This is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about people, people are the centre of everything we do in Wolverhampton.”
Louise Fall, principal and chief executive of the college, led the tribute on behalf of the college. During the event, she presented the Brookfield family with a replica of the plaque as a keepsake.
Ms Fall said: “Councillor Brookfield was a passionate advocate for education and believed deeply in the power of skills to transform lives in Wolverhampton.
“The City Learning Quarter was a vision he championed tirelessly, and it is fitting that his legacy is permanently recognised here. We are proud that the CitySixth study space is dedicated to his memory, ensuring that future generations of students using this facility know the significant role he played in providing them with these transformative opportunities.”
Cllr Paul Brookfield said: “It is a great honour to see dad’s name on the building, a true testament to his hard work to make sure the City Learning Quarter happened and his dedication to the City of Wolverhampton. He would have been thrilled to know that his name will be associated with a place where people will come to learn, grow and thrive to make a brighter future for themselves and the city.”
The new four-storey campus replaces the college’s former Paget Road campus. It features science labs, digital suites and performing arts studios, alongside the dedicated CitySixth study space now established in memory of the former Leader.
For more information on courses at the new City Learning Quarter campus, visit City of Wolverhampton College.
