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UTC Portsmouth greenlit for £10million school building

UTC Portsmouth greenlit for £10million school building

Portsmouth’s new employer-led University Technical College (UTC) has been given the green light from the city’s planning committee.

The committee approved the application for the new £10million school building, subject to planning conditions.

Led by the University of Portsmouth, the Royal Navy, Salterns Academy Trust, and Portsmouth City Council, UTC Portsmouth will be built in the grounds of Trafalgar School in Hilsea and will open in September 2017.

UTC Portsmouth will start taking applications for admissions from across the Solent region in September 2016 for Year 10 and Year 11 students. It will specialise in electrical and mechanical engineering and advanced manufacturing.

University of Portsmouth Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) Professor Paul Hayes said: “Obtaining planning approval today is an important step on our journey toward opening UTC Portsmouth. The school will help meet the education and training needs of the next generation of engineers from across the south coast. Working with local employers, the school will focus on students learning through projects that are directly relevant to the needs of industry.”

UTC Portsmouth greenlit for £10million school building

UTC Portsmouth will offer an engineering curriculum alongside the core GCSE subjects in Years 10 and 12 and a range of options including Level 3 engineering diplomas and A Levels in Years 11 and 13.

Captain Andrew Cree of the Royal Navy, project champion for UTC Portsmouth, said: “We’re delighted that the planning application has been approved and would like to thank the committee for their support for this important development.

“We anticipate that construction will begin in early summer to enable the building to be complete, equipped and ready to welcome our first students in September 2017.”

David Williams, Chief Executive of Portsmouth City Council, said: “Working with industry partners is key to UTC Portsmouth’s success. We’re pleased that they share our exciting vision of a new model of education which will enhance the learning offer in the city and support the wider regeneration and economic prosperity of the area.”

Admissions for Year 10 and Year 12 students open in September 2016. Visit the UTC Portsmouth website for more information and to register your interest »