Frequently Asked Questions
1: What is the Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC?
This new University Technical College is known as the Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC and it will be based in Central London behind Victoria Railway Station, close by Victoria Coach Station.
It is planned to open in September 2017 in a new building designed specifically for students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects with a focus on Transport Engineering, and Construction Development and Management.
Students will have the opportunity to study Engineering and Construction and the Built Environment from the age of 14.
BTEC National qualifications can be studied alongside GCSEs, A Levels, and other Level 2 and Level 3 specialist Engineering and Design qualifications.
2: When will the UTC open?
We expect our first entry in September 2017. Applications for 2017/18 entry at Key Stage 4 for learners aged 14 years will be handled by the UTC in 2016. Online application will be encouraged but paper applications will also be welcomed. The deadline for both paper and online applications will be 31st October 2016.
For admission at Key Stage 5 for learners aged 16 years, applications will be handled by the University of Westminster on behalf of the UTC. Deadline for KS5 applications is 31stDecember 2016.
If you are interested in applying for a place, please register your interest
3: Who are the educational sponsors of Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC?
The University of Westminster is the lead educational sponsor, working closely with City of Westminster College, with support from staff of the St Marylebone Academy Trust.
4: Who originally proposed a UTC for Westminster in Central London?
The idea of developing a UTC was suggested by the Sir Simon Milton Foundation Trustees who recognised that too few young people in London had access to the Technical Skills education needed to get them jobs and careers in London. The Foundation is the UTC’s charity partner and it has contributed generously through fund-raising to provide scholarships, travel bursaries and additional funding for staff appointments.
Westminster City Council and the Tri-Borough Education Service for Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea supported the UTC proposal from the outset.
5: Which Employers have helped shape the educational offer?
The design of the Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC curriculum has benefitted from the following ‘household name’ industry partners specialising in Transport Engineering, Property Development and Construction Management:’
Network Rail
Transport for London
BT Fleet, and the BT Group
Crossrail
Land Securities
These partners are founder members of the Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC Employer Alliance established in 2013.
6: What involvement will these companies have once the UTC is open?
Each partner company will provide a series of Employer Business Challenges each year to provide real work-life examples of projects underway in the Transport Engineering, Property Development, and Construction Development and Management industries.
Typically, each company will provide three projects each year lasting between six to eight weeks each.
For students aged 14 and 15 these projects will be aligned with the BTEC Certificates in Engineering and Construction and the Built Environment as Enhancement which will help students to make links between theory and practice, learning by doing.
7: What will be the catchment area for Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC?
The catchment area for Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC is Greater London and thus this means that we will be accepting applications from pupils from across London.
8: Will specialising at a young age narrow down options for young people in terms of employment and further or higher education opportunities?’
Not at all. The UTC will open up opportunities rather than closing them. After completing their UTC education students will have the requisite qualifications to go into University or higher education for degree or BTEC HND studies or to enter employment or start an apprenticeship.
9: Will students get a guaranteed job at the end?
Studying at Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC will give pupils a distinct advantage when looking for a job.
We have a close relationship with our sponsor employer institutions – Network Rail, TfL, Crossrail, Land Securities, and BT Fleet – who will offer work placement opportunities and will be involved in shaping the curriculum with company-specific projects.
No school can guarantee an employment position at the end, however there is a great demand for workforce in the sectors of transport engineering and construction and this is why our UTC sparked an interest in these particular employer sponsors.
10: Will this be a pathway to University?
Having completed their studies at the Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC, students will have three options – they will be able to enter employment, start an apprenticeship or go into higher education. College leavers wishing to enrol on a higher education course will be able to apply for scholarships provided by the Sir Simon Milton Foundation.
11: How many students will attend?
UTCs have a smaller number of students than normal schools. In the first year of opening we will admit up to 225 pupils – around 75 to Year 10 and 150 to Year 12.
From 2019 we would like to admit around 250 pupils each year, 100 to Year 10 and 150 to Year 12 with approximately 550 pupils on the premises.
12: When will the UTC start the application process?
Applications for 2017/18 entry at Key Stage 4 for learners aged 14 years will be handled by the UTC in 2015. Online application will be encouraged but paper applications will also be welcomed. The deadline for both paper and online applications will be 31st October 2016.
For admission at Key Stage 5 for learners aged 16 years, applications will be handled by the University of Westminster on behalf of the UTC. Deadline for KS5 applications is 31st December 2016.
If you are interested in applying for a place, please click here to register your interest
13: When will the applicants be notified of the outcome of their application?
Key Stage 4 applicants’ families will be issued with a letter advising them of the outcome of their application in January 2017. Letters will be despatched by First Class mail and email. Online applicants will be the first to be notified as they will be issued with an email but there should be no more than 24 hours difference between receipt of the notification by either method.
Offers of study to Key Stage 5 entrants will be confirmed in March 2017.
14: When will the Principal be appointed?
We expect the principal to be in position from January 2016.