It has been confirmed by the Department for Education that the Sir Simon Milton Westminster University Technical College (UTC) will be closing at the end of this academic year. It has also been announced that Ada, The National College for Digital Skills, will occupy the site from September 2022.

The Sir Simon Milton Foundation has been a strong supporter of the UTC from its very outset with its aim to bring high quality technical education to the heart of the city. We have provided substantial grants and funding to support students, especially those from low-income families.

Andrew Christie, Chair of the UTC’s Board of Governors commented:

“While we are obviously saddened that it has been confirmed that the Sir Simon Milton Westminster UTC will close at the end of the academic year, we are pleased that technical education will continue to be delivered on our site through Ada, the National College for Digital Skills.

Moving to a technical education provider offering a sixth form and digital degree apprenticeships is a sensible and pragmatic evolution and will ensure the needs and aspirations of the young people of Westminster and the surrounding boroughs will continue to be met.

While it is important to now look to the future, it would be wrong not to acknowledge the many positives that our UTC has delivered. Hundreds of young people have been supported by our talented and dedicated staff since opening. You only have to look at the impressive list of employers and organisations our students have joined after they have finished their courses with us to see that they are adding real value to the workplace and wider economy.

Over the coming months, we will be working tirelessly with our students to help them secure the very best outcomes as they complete their courses. We will also be supporting our valued staff as they prepare for new roles in September 2022.”

Matthew Sykes, Chief Executive of the Sir Simon Milton Foundation said:

“We are desperately sad that the college is having to close not just for ourselves but also for the parents and carers, for the excellent staff who are losing their jobs and most of all for the students who will now complete their courses at the UTC and move on elsewhere. We are delighted however that Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, will continue to provide technical education on the site after the UTC closes.”

The Foundation will remain strong supporters of the UTC until it closes this summer. To that end we have set aside a fund, the Sir Simon Milton Fund, to support the pupils and staff at the college in whatever way we can to ensure that the students in particular get the best possible education in their remaining months at the college and the best possible outcomes when they leave.