The Government last year approved plans to establish the city’s second UTC, which is set to open in September 2016.
Part of this deal was for Sheffield City Council to transfer over the land to the UTC Trust and this deal is set to be agreed by the city’s cabinet at a meeting next Wednesday (May 27).
The UTC2 Sheffield for Human Sciences and Computing is on top of plans for a state-of-the-art £17 million super school and community hub with 1,200 places for youngsters aged two to 16 also on the site – due to open to pupils this September. The new academy school – sponsored by Oasis Community Learning – will be a ‘cornerstone’ for regeneration and will meet high demand for new pupil places in the surrounding area.
The combined primary and secondary school will serve the Darnall and Attercliffe area and is only the second primary and secondary through school in Sheffield, after the model proved successful at Hinde House.
Councillor Jackie Drayton, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families from Sheffield City Council said: “Sheffield is leading the way in education with not just one, but two university technical colleges. Not only will this UTC be a huge boost in driving forward our ambition to making sure every young person gets the right training for future jobs, it also adds to our plans to boost education in this area, which includes our brand new through school.
“’Our vision for the city is that all children, young people and families achieve their full potential. I’m pleased to be working with Sheffield College and other partners again and have no doubt this second UTC will play a big part in helping us to achieve our ambition.
“It is vital that we make sure our next generation of young people have the right skills and experience they need to get jobs and opportunities in years to come. This UTC will improve their chances of securing these while at the same time give them useful skills which will ultimately benefit the local economy in the future.”
The UTC will offer places for up to 600 students, aged 14-19, and it will specialise in human sciences and computing.
It will form a key part of the city’s £90m Olympic Legacy Park, which will include a multi-million pound stadium, indoor sports facilities, the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and other opportunities for private sector investment.
The new UTC is backed by Sheffield City Council, The Sheffield College, Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce alongside employers including Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The Council is represented on the Governing Body of the UTC2. The procurement of the construction of the building will be a matter solely for the UTC Academy Trust in association with Government consultants.
Andrew Cropley, Executive Director for Strategic Planning and Business Development, at The Sheffield College, which is the lead sponsor for the city’s second UTC added: “We are very excited at the potential for this UTC to develop highly skilled and motivated young people to support the city’s growth prospects and its wellbeing. Our position on the Olympic Legacy Park and the opportunities this will give our students to work with professional athletes, healthcare professionals and cutting edge researchers will make this a unique and inspirational learning environment. We are hugely appreciative of the support that the city council has given to ensuring this project will succeed.”
The Sheffield College is also the sponsor of the city’s first UTC – specialising in Advanced Engineering and Creative and Digital – which opened its Matilda Street doors two years ago.
