New university technical college in Leeds confident of filling places

A NEW TECHNICAL college which aims to train the next generation of engineers in Leeds has had more than 100 applications.
University Technical College Leeds principal Mark KennedyUniversity Technical College Leeds principal Mark Kennedy
University Technical College Leeds principal Mark Kennedy

Education leaders at UTC Leeds have said the new school is getting close to capacity for its September 2016 opening.

It will be Leeds’ first university technical college (UTCs). UTCs are state schools which take on pupils at either 14 or 16 and provide a technical qualification alongside traditional academic subjects. Each UTC focuses on a particular career area. UTC Leeds will deliver courses in engineering and manufacturing. It is aiming to recruit students from across the Leeds City Region.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It has announced that more than 90 per cent of the 105 spaces available for its first intake of 14-year-old pupils have now been applied for. In its first year, the school will open with only year 10 and year 12 students in order to get the curriculum under way. So far 55 per cent of its post 16 places in year 12 have been filled.

Principal Mark Kennedy said: “We’re all extremely encouraged by the level of interest in UTC Leeds.

“The application figures clearly confirm that there is considerable demand for a UTC specialising in advanced manufacturing and engineering in this region. Current Year 11 students across Leeds City Region will be receiving letters over the next day or two explaining what options they have for their post-16 education, which of course includes UTC Leeds. We’re confident that applications for Year 12 will be full shortly after that.”

The UTC will be located in the west wing of the Braime Pressings factory, close to Leeds City College Printworks campus.

Related topics: