Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC

Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC, simply referred to as Westminster UTC, was a 14–19 university technical college (UTC) in the Pimlico area of Westminster in London. As a UTC, it specialised in STEM subjects, particularly transport engineering, construction, and the built environment.[3]

Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC
Address
1 Sutherland Street

London
,
SW1V 4LD
Coordinates51.4894°N 0.1472°W / 51.4894; -0.1472
Information
TypeUniversity technical college
Established2017
Closed2022
Local authorityCity of Westminster
Department for Education URN144819 Tables
HeadteacherDan Chandrakumar
GenderCoeducational
Age14 to 19
Enrolment202 as of April 2021 [1]
Capacity550 [2]
Websitewww.westminsterutc.co.uk

The University Technical College offered academic and technical qualifications in maths, science or engineering, for students interested in careers in the transport and built environment industries.[4] It was established by the Sir Simon Milton Foundation in honour of the late Simon Milton, and it was supported in a partnership with the University of Westminster, City of Westminster College, Network Rail, Landsec, Sir Robert McAlpine, Alstom, BT Fleet, Colas Rail, Westminster City Council and Transport for London.

It was built on the assumption that it would attract 550 students. By May 2021 it was over two-thirds empty. Andrew Christie, the chair of the governors announced it would not take any new students in September 2021, which would result in its closure. The UTC was still in its period of exemption from inspection, so no Ofsted report has been published.[5]

The UTC formally closed at the end of August 2022.

History

In January 2014, Education Secretary Michael Gove announced the government's approval of six proposed UTCs, including a proposal by the Sir Simon Milton Foundation to set up a UTC in central London.[6][7] Located in Westminster, the planned Sir Simon Milton UTC would cater for 550 students and specialise in transport engineering and construction.[7] The foundation's proposal was supported by Network Rail,[6] which would serve as the school's lead employment sponsor,[8] and the new UTC would be supported in a partnership between them and other leading employers such as BT Fleet, Land Securities, Transport for London and Mace.[7] The University of Westminster and Westminster City Council was also included in this partnership.[9] By 2017, Sir Robert McAlpine and Alstom had joined the partnership,[10] and by 2018 Colas Rail was also involved.[11] Network Rail also had a governor installed at the school.[12]

The school was established and named in honour of the late Simon Milton, a former leader of Westminster City Council who also served as a deputy to London mayor Boris Johnson. It opened on 1 September 2017 with four other UTCs.[13]

Site

The school was located on 1 Sutherland Street, Pimlico,[14] on the Ebury Bridge development site in Victoria.[15] This site was built by Linkcity in partnership with Taylor Wimpey Central London and Westminster City Council and included both the school's building, which occupied 56,000 square feet, and a tower block standing 11 storeys tall. The site itself takes up half an acre of land.[16][15] Three London Underground stations, London Victoria, Sloane Square and Pimlico, are located nearby.[16] Specifically, London Victoria is five minutes away on foot.[17]

Work on the building for the school began in July 2016, with Simon Milton's partner Robert Davis attending the groundbreaking ceremony.[18] It replaced the original Westminster Adult Education Service building, which was constructed in 1898. The old building's datestones were preserved in the new building's design.[10] It was completed in September 2017 at a cost of £15,739,942. £30,297 of this was spent on acquiring the building.[19] It included a sports hall.[20] Since the school's closure, it has been used by Ada College.[21]

References
  1. Ofsted Communications Team (9 August 2020). "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  2. "Sir Simon Milton Westminster University Technical College - GOV.UK". get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  3. "Moving on up: A guide for parents with children transferring to secondary school in 2018" (PDF). Hammersmith & Fulham Council. 25 August 2017. p. 60. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  4. "Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC 17/18 Prospectus" (PDF).
  5. Whieldon, Fraser (1 May 2021). "Another UTC looks set to bite the dust". Schools Week. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  6. Gilbert, Jack (24 January 2014). "Network Rail, Land Secs and Mace back new college to boost construction training". Construction News. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  7. Gove, Michael (23 January 2014). "Successful free school proposals announced". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  8. "TfL Skills and Employment Strategy: Progress Report and Future Strategy" (PDF). Transport for London. April 2014. p. 9. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  9. Linford, Nick (24 January 2014). "Baker 'delighted' as Gove green light means UTCs hit 50 mark". FE Week. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  10. "WESTMINSTER PEOPLE: Karen Barker, principal at new Pimlico technical college". Camden New Journal. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  11. Simmonds, Gemma (1 March 2018). "Why collaboration is crucial". New Statesman. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  12. Templeton, Bill (9 April 2017). "An innovative approach to shaping the student experience". Rail Technology Magazine. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  13. Belgutay, Julia (18 June 2018). "New UTC approved after DfE 'pause'". TES Magazine. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  14. "University Technical Colleges (UTC)" (PDF). May 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  15. "Ebury Bridge". Stace. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  16. "Linkcity signs agreements for new development at former Ebury Bridge Centre". Linkcity. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  17. Cooper, Goolistan (3 November 2016). "New university college taking shape in Westminster". MyLondon. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  18. Cooper, Goolistan (23 July 2016). "Construction begins on new Westminster college which will team up with industry giants". MyLondon. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  19. Carr, James (4 February 2020). "Five free schools cost over £30m - DfE reveals". Schools Week. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  20. "Sir Simon Milton Westminster Utc". NHS. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  21. "Westminster UTC to close at the end of the Academic Year". Sir Simon Milton Foundation. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
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