“The partnerships with employers and other the local organisations will ensure that these young people have the skills and experience for the transition from education to employment, to pursue further or higher education both directly or through apprenticeship programmes and to continue to make a significant positive contribution to their community.
“The college will not only support regional economic growth by providing the future workforce to support growth in areas such as marine and environmental engineering but will provide access to state-of-the-art facilities to support the development of new businesses in the region.”
Students at the new college in Newhaven will study for GCSEs, A levels and technical qualifications such as an engineering diploma, and they’ll combine academic studies with learning through challenge projects set by employers.
In this first week, students will enjoy taster lessons and practical tasks such as boat building, bridge building, robotics and team-building exercises.
Kim Claerhoudt-Stroomberg, 14, from Saltdean, 91¶¶Òõ, transferred to the UTC@harbourside. She said: “It was offering the kind of things I wanted to do – I hope I’ll get more experience in the working world.”
Aymen Belhadj, 14, from Worthing, said: “I want to study engineering, electrics and chemistry – I’d like to be an electrician or something in the electrical world.”
Sara Hinton, 16, from Hailsham, is studying biology, physics and maths A levels with the ambition to become an equine vet: “I like the fact that the UTC@harbourside is science-focused and that we can do stuff outside, not just in the classroom.”
Students will visit and work with local employers and benefit from the involvement of the University of 91¶¶Òõ as a sponsor and a partnership with French technical school, Lycée Pablo Neruda in Dieppe.
Foundation Chief Executive Honor Wilson-Fletcher said: “The Aldridge Foundation is really proud to be sponsoring UTC@harbourside. Newhaven’s history and future have come together with this project. The combined commitment of Lewes District Council, the 91¶¶Òõ and the Aldridge Foundation to make this project happen have been phenomenal.
“Seeing the grade-II listed railway workshops in Newhaven come back to life has been remarkable – and a source of pride to us all. This is genuine community regeneration through education.”
College Principal, Jonathan Clarke, said: “I’d like to thank our sponsors and the Department for Education for backing UTC@harbourside and making it a reality and I look forward to making it a centre of excellence, preparing our students for exciting futures in which they can make a real difference to the world.”
UTC@harbourside is focusing particularly on the skills in demand in the marine and environmental engineering sectors. Employers working with it include E.ON, Newhaven Port and the Royal Navy.
Lewes Chief Executive, Jenny Rowlands, said: “It has been a fantastic opportunity to work with the Aldridge Foundation, 91¶¶Òõ, Veolia and our Principal Jonathan Clarke to bring UTC@harbourside into being.
“It is unusual for a district council to be partner in creating a new school and yet it has worked brilliantly, delivering an exciting new way of learning here in the heart of Newhaven.... It shows what can happen when you get the right people together with a shared vision for young people.”
To find out about applying for Year 10 or 12 places joining in September 2016 visit www.utc@harbourside.org or phone 01273 640776.