UTC Swindon – a university technical college for 14-19-year-olds that specialises in technical engineering and cyber-security – is holding its first open evening since new heads were appointed.

Executive principal Sam Knowlton, who also runs another UTC school in Oxford which is part of the Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET), will now co-lead both schools.

Neil Pouney, the new head of school for UTC Swindon, also has a wealth of experience in running a successful UTC; his previous role was Vice Principal of UTC Reading, another school in ALET’s trust.

Sam said: “I place a high value on education and I think it is one of the greatest gifts we can give our young people.

"Coupled with the industry focus and links with our business partners, it really enables us to provide industry partners with high-quality youngsters who are determined, excited and well educated in the STEM subjects, where we know there is a deficit in the workforce.”

The open evening on Tuesday, September 27, 5-7pm, will showcase the subjects and high-tech facilities available to students.

Visitors will be able to find out more about technical education, tour the building and see the equipment, as well as meet with students and staff to learn what a UTC experience has to offer.

In 2019 there were fears over UTCs as 10 of the 58 that had opened since 2010 had closed and the Education and Funding Skills Agency had expressed "significant concerns" about 13 of the ones that had remained open. 

A part of this was the fact that UTCs, like the one in Swindon, were underperforming and under capacity with Ofsted rating the school as 'inadequate' in 2017 - the lowest rating possible. 

The principal at the time of these fears, Jon Oliver, argued that the UTC was actually success.

He said: "At UTC Swindon, recruitment for 2019-20 has increased student numbers by 25 per cent compared to the previous year. This is along with increases in other UTCs within the Activate Learning Education Trust.

"When this is considered alongside the continuing 100 per cent success rates in students making positive progression into their career destinations, this has been a highly productive year."

The school's most recent Offsted inspection, in 2020, has shown an upwards turn in fortune and it is now rated as 'requires improvement'.

To find out more about the open day and to register interest, please visit www.utcswindon.org.uk