£9m college set to close

The GM UTC exterior

OLDHAM'S flagship new college is to close just three years since it opened after not a single pupil managed at least a C in both English and maths in last summer's GCSEs.

The £9 million Greater Manchester University Technical College will shut at the end of this academic year, with college heads saying it is financially not viable and has very low student numbers.

UTCs were trumpeted by the Government as a new type of school for 14 to 18-year-olds, providing innovative, high quality education combining technical, practical and academic learning.

But The GM UTC, which opened in 2014 in a purpose-built location on land owned by Oldham College, has just 90 pupils in years 10 to 13 - dramatically short of its 600 capacity.

Its original principal left after less than a year, and in November the school's board of trustees stood down. Year 11 and 13 pupils due to sit their exams this summer will continue at the college which will close in September. Other pupils will leave as suitable places are found for them at other schools and colleges. A total of 24 teaching and support staff are affected.

Gordon Main, chairman of The GM UTC Trust, was one of several local people appointed as a director on January 19 after the previous board stood down. The others include Oldham Sixth Form College principal Jayne Clarke.

Mr Main, a national leader of governance (people who share their expertise with other schools), confirmed he was brought in by the Government's Education Funding Agency to shut the college.

He said: "The reason for the closure it that it is not financially sustainable. It can't continue with this number of pupils.

"My remit is to be supportive of the staff and pupils and to get the best out of this situation for them. Since I came on board, there has been a lot of hard work done by people in Oldham.

"Closing the GM is hugely disappointing for all those who have worked so hard to give students the opportunity to pursue a technical education.

"The well-being and success of all our students remains our highest priority. 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."

Staff are being offered support and guidance and parents can also make an appointment to discuss the situation with staff.

The future of the Government-funded building is also to be decided and Mr Main said it may revert to the landlord which is Oldham College.

UTCs are the brainchild of former education secretary Lord Baker. But they have to recruit pupils from secondary schools at the age of 14. The GM is the seventh out of around 50 UTCs to close.

GM principal Lee Kilgour said: "Existing students in Years 11 and 13 will continue to follow their current courses and complete these in the summer term. We will endeavour to ensure that teaching and learning in the college will continue with the present teaching staff and ensure that students are prepared for examinations this summer.

"We will be working closely with Oldham Council and other local education providers to bring about a smooth transition for students in Years 10 and 12. We will do everything in our power to ensure this process is both detailed and thorough."