CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS COMPANYredheadPRWINS BID TO PROMOTE UTC SWINDON

An innovative strategy to ‘engage and empower the engineers and entrepreneurs of the future'

Leading PR and communications specialist redheadPR has been chosen to spread the wordand recruit the first applicants for Swindon's pioneering new University Technical College which will open its doors in September 2014.

Sara Tye, managing director, said: "We're thrilled to be part of the team launching this exciting new educational setting for Swindon and beyond. UTC Swindon will develop and provide high quality engineers to support local and national industry.

"Its vision is to offer amazing opportunities to young people living within an 18 km radius of the site, including Swindon, Chippenham, Calne, Devizes, Malmesbury, Marlborough and Fairford.

"UTC Swindon will offer those who sign up the chance to work alongside industry specialists from day one and will give those learners an active career choice to enter the industry, or university.

"We are reaching out to families and young people to start registering immediately by calling us on 07990 601516, emailingutcswindon@gmail.comor visitingwww.utcswindon.co.uk"

UTC Swindon is a new concept in technical education and will offer places to young people aged between 14 and 19. Organised with business in mind, the curriculum will blend technical and academic studies. It aims to be a place where innovation and advanced engineering can flourish.

"UTC Swindon is designed to build on the area's unparalleled engineering heritage, providing young people exceptional access to courses and bespoke facilities alongside essential academic GCSEs," Sara said.

Funded by the Department for Education, UTC Swindon will be free, as with any other traditional state school. Young people will be invited from within an 18-mile radius of the town to apply for the 600 places on offer.

During the summer, the redheadPR team will be touring the catchment area giving out information to parents and young people.

Young people will also be invited to take part in the Johnson Matthey Fuel Cell Great Egg Race where finals will be held in September on the Castle Combe racing circuit. Interested groups should make contact to find out how to get involved - 07990 601516.

A social media campaign has already begun where young people can register their interest, make comments or ask for information.

Sara said: "Get in touch, ask questions, find out more. We're passionate about the area, its industrial heritage and its future in engineering and innovation. If UTC Swindon is a perfect fit for you or your child, we want to hear from you now."

For more information about UTC Swindon or to register an interest or apply for a place visitwww.utcswindon.co.uk, like UTC Swindon on Facebook at www.facebook.com/utcswindon, follow us on Twitter @utcswindon.

ENDS.

Editor's notes:

If you would like an image of Sara Tye and her team, please contact redheadPR:

Emma De Maio -emma@redheadpr.co.ukor call 07921 160134.

If you are interested in a feature or indepth interview with Sara, let us know.

Useful background information:

UTC Swindon is led by Swindon UTC Trust, funded by the Department for Education. Sponsors are Oxford Brookes University and Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells.

Oxford Brookes University is one of the UK's leading modern universities and enjoys an international reputation for teaching excellence and innovation as well as strong links with business and industry. More information is available on the Oxford Brookes website atwww.brookes.ac.uk

Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells is a leading speciality chemicals company underpinned by science, technology and its people. A leader in sustainable technologies, many of its products enhance the quality of life for millions of people globally. Johnson Matthey has three divisions worldwide: Environmental Technologies, Precious Metal Products and Fine Chemicals. More information is available online at www.matthey.com

Supporting partners to date include BMW UK Manufacturing, Honda, Intel, Nationwide, NPower and Thames Water, to name just a few.

UTC Swindon will be run in a business-like way with an 8.30am to 5pm working day, finishing at 4.30pm on a Friday. The curriculum will also follow a ‘working schedule' style and will include the statutory GCSEs as with any traditional state secondary school.