Nick Gibb MP: UTC Swindon is “one of the best school buildings”

Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for School Reform and MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, today described UTC Swindon as “one of the best school buildings” he has ever seen.

Mr Gibb was given a tour of UTC Swindon’s £10 million state-of-the-art facility by the college’s principal, Angela Barker-Dench. Visiting the electronics lab and workshop, he was joined by Justin Tomlinson, MP for Swindon North, and Robert Buckland, MP for Swindon South.

Speaking about UTC Swindon to the Swindon Advertiser[1], Mr Gibb said: “I think the building is one of the best school buildings I have ever seen. They have preserved and incorporated the historic nature of this building and it’s an ideal site for engineering with its connection to the railway.

And what’s good about this UTC is it takes pupils from a wide catchment area, so the opportunities are available to a lot of young people.”

As part of the original Great Western Rail works, the UTC Swindon site creates a link between the historic engineering and the engineering future of the local area, with the Old School Building and the iconic Water Tower featuring prominently. Both structures, which are Grade II listed, were treated sympathetically, with the Water Tower being restored and brought back into educational use.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Everybody is incredibly proud of UTC Swindon. As a building, its vision and the way the students are embracing the opportunity as their ambition is shining through. UTC Swindon showcases the very best of government investment and Swindon ambition. We’re all rightly proud of it.”

Angela Barker-Dench said: “As Nick Gibb MP is the Minister of State for School Reform, we’re proud to welcome him to UTC Swindon. It makes a real statement about education in Swindon generally and our college in particular.

UTC Swindon caters for 600 students aged 14 to 19, providing courses for young people who aspire to a career in engineering. Students at the college can gain the skills necessary across all sectors of the engineering industries.

UTC Swindon is run by a trust sponsored by Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University. There are over 90 different industry partners involved with the University Technical College.

To apply for a place at UTC Swindon in 2015, email info@utcswindon.co.uk or download the application form at www.utcswindon.co.uk.

For more information, call UTC Swindon on 01793 207920.

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