New school recruiting brains of the future

Tomorrow’s scientists and engineers can now apply for places at the county’s newest school, the South Devon University Technical College in Engineering, Water and the Environment, which opens its doors to the first intake of students this time next year.

The innovative UTC has been established by the University of Exeter and South Devon College alongside key local and regional employers, to provide a specialist secondary education for young people with a flair for science and engineering. It aims to help the region’s top students become as ‘work-ready’ as possible.

The UTC wants to attract gifted and ambitious teenagers aged from 14 to 18 from Exeter, Torbay, mid and south Devon as it seeks to bridge the gap between traditional educational models and what employers require from young employees.

This week the UTC begins recruiting students who will be choosing their academic options and moving in to Year 10 at the start of the September 2015 academic year. Applications can be made online before October 31st 2014 via Devon County Council’s School Admissions website https://new.devon.gov.uk/admissions/ and places will be allocated on March 1st 2015. Sixth form applications can be made directly with the South Devon UTC via www.southdevonutc.org up until 31st January 2015.

Students will be taught in a purpose-built, fully equipped £10 million UTC campus in Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot and their curriculum at GCSE, A-Level and BTEC will be supported by a number of significant employers and founding partners of the UTC who include Centrax, Galliford Try, South West Water, the Environment Agency and national charity Water Aid.

Principal Designate Ian Crews said: “The future success of this country will depend on talented, high-quality scientists, engineers and technicians ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. That’s why we at South Devon UTC are committed to providing a first-class practical education for the region’s brightest young people to prepare them for the world of work in these exciting fields.

“We’re lucky to be working with some of the area’s leading employers as well as outstanding centres of learning in the University of Exeter and South Devon College. They have helped us design a curriculum for 14 to 18-year-olds which will equip our students with the skills and ability needed to progress in their chosen fields.”

With funding from the Department for Education, the non-selective UTC offers GCSE studies for pupils from Year 10, A-Levels for those aged 16-18, and other qualification such as BTECs. Recruiting from Teignbridge, Torbay, Exeter, Plymouth and the South Hams, South Devon UTC offers class sizes of no more than 20 for a maximum 600 students, working closely with local industry in the fields of engineering, the environment and water. In the first year of operation there will places for 135 students starting two or four-year courses.

Mr Crews added: “Our way of learning, which has been successfully pioneered at UTCs across the country, means students concentrate their efforts on subjects and skills they enjoy and excel in, while at the same time staying true to the national curriculum and taking GCSEs and A-Levels just like their counterparts in other schools. Learners are given chances to develop their skills in the real world, both on campus and in the workplace, with the latest technology industry can provide.”

Exeter University Provost Janice Kay, chair of the UTC Board of Directors, said: “As a leading research institution, and a member of the Russell Group of universities, we need to attract the very best students, and the UTC will help us to do this; we hope that many of the UTC’s students will make a natural progression from there to the university. Equally, we are comfortable with playing our role in finding the scientists and engineers of the future who may take other routes into careers.

“The UTC offers the opportunity to study courses which are not available anywhere else in the region. As a university, we believe in promoting excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – the STEM subjects – and in facilitating opportunities to extend the science base in the UK, which is why we are giving the UTC our wholehearted support.”

South Devon College’s Principal Stephen Criddle said: “This is a hugely important step for the UTC and we’re proud to be playing a key role, alongside the University of Exeter and leading regional employers, in this innovative and exciting industry-focused learning environment for 14 to 18-year-old students from across the area. Our message to young people considering applying to the UTC is that you really can change your world by coming here.”

Parents and young people can find out more about the South Devon UTC at two open events being held at Old Forde House, Newton Abbot, on Thursday, September 18 from 6-8pm, and at the Courtenay Centre on Saturday, September 27 from 2-4pm.

For more details on the UTC, please see www.southdevonutc.org, call 01626 215855, or email apply@southdevonutc.org. The college is also on Facebook, www.facebook.com/southdevonuniversitytechnicalcollege and Twitter @SouthdevonUTC