The Greater Manchester University Technical College (UTC) will close at the end of this year, becoming the seventh of the institutions to shut its doors as a result of recruitment problems.
Leaders at the UTC told students this afternoon that the college had been unable to recruit enough pupils in Oldham “and further afield” meaning it was “not financial viable”.
Government figures show it had 127 pupils on its roll last January, against a capacity of 600.
It becomes the seventh institution to close or announce its closure following problems with pupil numbers after Daventry UTC announced last month that it too would shut down in the summer.
The Royal Greenwich UTC will become a school this year, and four UTCs have already closed.
The UTC’s principal, Lee Kilgour, said year 11 and 13 pupils would be able to complete their studies this academic year and that he would work with Oldham council and other providers to bring about a “smooth transition” for pupils in years 10 and 12.
Gordon Main, chair of the UTC’s trust, said the decision, made in consultation with the government, was “hugely disappointing for all those who have worked so hard to give students the opportunity to pursue a technical education”.
“The wellbeing and success of all our students remains our highest priority,” he said. “Every effort will be made to ensure students get the support they need to complete their studies successfully and appropriate guidance for transition to their new place of learning.”
Such a shame. This cost £9 million to build in 2014 at a time when schools are crying out for investment to ensure their buildings are fit for purpose.
Money for UTCs. Money for free schools, even in areas where there are already surpluses. Money for rebrokering academies. Money promised for new grammar schools.
But funding for the rest is inadequate.