Lord Baker Praises Swindon UTC
Former Home Secretary & UTC supporter highly impressed on site visit
Lord Baker, the founder of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust and former Home Secretary, visited Swindon today to take a tour of the site for the new UTC (University Technical College).
The Baker Dearing Educational Trust promotes the establishment of University Technical Colleges in England as part of the free school programme.
During his stop, Lord Baker met staff, partners and supporters of UTC Swindon and shared insights into the work of the Trust and how other UTCs are working with employers.
Open to 14-19 year olds
UTCs offer an educational choice for young people looking to fill the UK skills gap. Across the UK, UTCs are reintroducing the option of a specialist technical education.
Currently, seventeen UTCs are open and a further fifteen – including UTC Swindon – will open in September 2014. In 2015, an additional 13 UTCs will open, taking the total to 45.
Catering for 600 students aged 14 to 19, UTC Swindon will provide courses for young people who aspire to a career in engineering.
The college’s catchment area includes Burford, Calne, Chippenham, Cirencester, Cricklade, Devizes, Fairford, Highworth, Hungerford, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Pewsey, Purton, Swindon and surrounding villages and hamlets.
“Lord Baker is a visionary for the University Technical College model so it was a great privilege to give him a tour of the site. Everything is coming together and we are proud to showcase what we have achieved so far," said Angela Barker-Dench, Principal of UTC Swindon.
Deadline for applications 31 January
UTC Swindon will occupy a new £10 million state-of-the-art building at Bristol Street, Swindon, at the heart of the railway village. The location has been generously supplied by Network Rail.
The deadline for applications for places at UTC Swindon is Friday 31 January 2014.
For more information call UTC Swindon on 07990 601 516.
Open Evening Tonight
Want to find out more? Swindon UTC are holding an open evening for prospective pupils and parents tonight in the Legends Lounge at Swindon Town Football Club.
UTC Swindon
