April 24 2014.


The sponsors behind the new University Technical College (UTC) in Newhaven have started the recruitment of its first Principal.

The college is due to open in September 2015 and will attract students from a wide area including Worthing, Brighton, Bexhill and Haywards Heath. It will focus on the skills in demand by the growing marine engineering and environmental technology sectors in the region. Students will be able to enter in years 10 and 12 and will study for GCSEs and A Levels alongside technical qualifications such as BTECs, NVQs and the Technical Baccalaureate.

The UTC is currently consulting on a planning application for the college to be based at the Grade II listed Marine Workshops at Railway Quay, just two minutes from Newhaven Town railway station. A recent exhibition of the plans was attended by over 60 people, who gave the plans a positive response and gave suggestions to be considered when the application is submitted at the end of the month.

Project Director Sue Simmons of the Aldridge Foundation, one of the UTC’s four sponsors, said: “Our first Principal will have a superb building and facilities to work with, but starting a new school takes exceptional skills. We are seeking an exceptional leader who will link academic and technical learning, articulating the excitement of the engineering curriculum to all of our students and ensuring that they are impeccably prepared for the world of work or further education.”

Studies will be based around real-life projects set by local employers and using high-tech specialist kit. The vision of the sponsors, who also include the University of Brighton, Lewes District Council and Veolia Environmental Services Plc., is to give students a head start in the jobs market or in applying to University or for apprenticeships.

More information about the UTC and the planning consultation can be found at www.newhavenutc.co.uk