WARRINGTON’S Future Tech Studio School WILL close at the end of the academic school year at the end of August due to low pupil numbers.
The Warrington Collegiate Education Trust has announced, with regret, that the Future Tech Studio School will close on 31 August 2017.
Unfortunately, pupil numbers at the school are low, which means the school is not financially viable in the longer-term.
Nichola Newton, principal and CEO of the Trust said:“The decision to close the school has been taken only after extensive discussion with the Department for Education and Education Funding Agency to explore all available options”.
“Our priority is to ensure the wellbeing and highest standard of education possible for our pupils over the remainder of the academic year. Pupils in year 10, and their parents, will receive tailored advice, guidance and support to find alternative places to complete their studies from September 2017.
“We will continue to support pupils in Year 11 and Year 13 to plan their next steps.”
Disappointed parents have launched a petition for the school to remain open.
The Future Tech Studio opened in September 2014, sponsored by Warrington Collegiate Education Trust – but student numbers have been impacted since the opening of the nearby University Technical College.
The Future Tech Studio offers a range of courses in Design Engineering, IT and Telecommunications and Business Management for students aged 14-19.
The aim is to give an innovative approach to learning for 14-19 year olds across four sector pathways, with the aim to foster the principles of the Studio School model through the use of futuristic technology and an exciting and engaging curriculum that students can thrive on both in the classroom and workplace.
3 Comments
Another sad day for Warrington.
I am one of the parents who has been fighting to keep future tech open . Year 10 pupils are half way through corses for there GCSE exams next year where they will be in year 11 …it would be nice if our children could continue on the work they are doing to gain good results instead of moving them to other schools… this is causing stress and upset amongst the children as well as parents .. its going to cost is all more money as we would have to buy the new school uniform etc .. keeping it open would mean a lot yon the children as they are all happy grades and confidence have boosted .. 😔
Hard to believe that it only lasted just over 2 years but with low and falling numbers and the building of the other University Technical College not far down the road then I guess they had no choice but to close it. Does anyone know why numbers were so low and the intake was far less than expected?
Makes you wonder just how long the other new Tech College will last for before that too closes and maybe becomes an office block or redundant building.
It does seem totally wrong to expect youngsters in year 10 to now uproot and find places in another main stream senior school to continue their courses and education and to also have to try to fit in with others who have been there since age 11 and who will have formed bonds. Are there even places available for that age in other schools?
Are year 10 aged 14/15 ish? Sorry if it’s a daft question I always get confused with year band names.
Does the University Technical College offer similar courses and learning….if so could they perhaps existing pupils of Future Tech could transfer to there together instead ?
It must be so very worrying for parents and the youngsters too 🙁