Jessica Stevenson has been appointed as the new Principal at UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

Jessica, who starts at the UTC in January 2020, has 19 years’ experience in education and is currently Director of Inclusion at Mercia Learning Trust in Sheffield.

The current Principal, Sarah Clark, is leaving this month to become Chief Executive Officer of Uttoxeter Learning Trust in Staffordshire.

Nick Crew, Executive Principal, The Sheffield UTC Academy Trust, said: “Jessica has a strong track record in education and is well respected within the city. We are looking forward to working with her.”

He added: “I am very proud of what we are achieving for our students and employers in Sheffield. I’d like to thank Sarah for her excellent leadership, guiding UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park from its launch to becoming one of the best performing UTCs in the country.”

Jessica said: “I am excited to join a trailblazing technical school that is ensuring students get the academic and technical skills that universities and employers need. I can’t wait to start as Principal in January and build on the fantastic work that has been achieved so far.”

The UTC – which is Ofsted graded ‘good’ – is a technical school for 13 to 19-year-olds and is located on Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

The UTC opened in September 2016 and is part of The Sheffield UTC Academy Trust. Students complete A Levels alongside technical qualifications in computing or health sciences or sport science.

Last year’s students have gone on to a range of top destinations including the University of Oxford, the University of Lancaster, the University of Sheffield and the University of North Texas in America as well as apprenticeships.

The technical qualifications are equivalent to between one and three A Levels, and involve working on employer-led projects and developing skills related to the subject specialism as well as team working and problem solving skills. The £10 million UTC is equipped with cutting edge industry standard facilities.

UTCs are government funded technical schools established to provide technical learning opportunities in partnership with employers and universities. They provide academic and technical qualifications to match the skills needs of regional employers, supporting economic growth and employment.

Employers supporting the UTC include Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, employers on Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Sheffield.

Students can join the UTC at the age of 13 in Year 9 or at the age of 16 in Year 12 and the UTC recruits from across Sheffield City Region. For more information about the next showcase events and places starting in September 2020, visit www.utcsheffield.org.uk and follow @UTCSheffield