HRH The Duke of York,KG officially opens UTC Swindon
The Duke officially opened UTC Swindon on Thursday 11 December 2014.
His Royal Highness met students, directors, teachers, and business partners of UTC Swindon. He then unveiled a commemorative plaque and officially open the college.
Directors of Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University, who sponsor UTC Swindon, were also at the event.
UTC Swindon Principal, Angela Barker-Dench, showed The Duke around the college site. He saw the stunning architecture and high quality build provided by Scott Brownrigg and BAM respectively. He visited labs and engineering workshops designed especially for the UTC Swindon curriculum.
The Duke’s visit follows his previous tour of UTC Swindon in February 2014, when the college was still under construction.
Angela Barker-Dench said: “The official opening of the college is an historic moment for UTC Swindon - and another milestone in the town’s heritage. His Royal Highness has a passion for engineering, manufacturing and apprenticeships. He shares our beliefs about skills and preparing students for the workplaceor University.”
As Patron of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, The Duke encourages parents, businesses and others to help young people develop. He supports enterprise-focused education and helps providers promote their opportunities.
UTC Swindon occupies a new, £10 million state-of-the-art facility, with the Old School Building and the iconic Water Tower featuring prominently. Both structures, which are Grade II listed, have been treated sympathetically, with the Water Tower being restored and brought back into educational use.
Students can apply for a place at UTC Swindon, which caters for 600 students aged 14 to 19, by emailing info@utcswindon.co.uk or by completing the application form at www.utcswindon.co.uk. For more information call UTC Swindon on 01793 207 920.
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ENDS