Warrington UTC postpones opening date

THE launch of a planned university technical college (UTC) in Warrington has been pushed back by a year.

The college, which will be run by the University of Chester and focus on nuclear and energy engineering for 14 to 18-year-olds, will occupy a vacant site owned by the council opposite Central Station.

The university said it will now open the facility, which will be part of the planned Stadium Quarter, in September 2016 which will avoid the need for temporary accommodation.

Lynda Moore, chair of the UTC Warrington (UTCW) steering group, said: “Although we have pressed hard on the timetable to complete the construction, we now know that our need for temporary accommodation would stretch beyond a few weeks and that other UTCs across the country in the same position have reconsidered their timescale in order to make sure they get their building, their curriculum and their recruitment right, rather than open before they are ready.  

“We are fully committed to ensuring students enjoy the best learning environment with the best equipment from day one of their joining the UTCW.”

UTCs are funded by the Department for Education from the same pot as academies but have close ties to business which take seats on the governing body and help to plan the curriculum. The Warrington college will be linked to Sellafield Ltd, which is managing the decommissioning of the Sellafield nuclear power station, and Risley-based engineering design firm Tenet Consultants.