£10m University Technical College in Burnley set to close after only two years

College bosses said the decision to close was down to the struggle to recruit students and the failure to secure its financial viability.

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UTC Lancashire, which first opened as Visions Learning Trust, will shut its doors at the end of the summer term and talks have already started to find places for its students at other schools.

The news comes after a parliamentary report recently revealed that the college only had 73 out of a possible 800 students enrolled.

Chairman Gareth Smith insisted that there were 112 students and that he expected 450 learners to be based at the Victoria Mill site in Trafalgar Street by 2020.

The report also expressed concerns over its financial viability.

A spokesman for the UTC, which caters for youngsters aged between 14 and 19, said that the decision had been taken with ‘sincere regret’ and that ‘every effort’ was being made to make sure that the students’ education is not affected.

Board member Rod Dubrow-Marshall said: “The announcement to close UTC Lancashire is hugely disappointing to the trust, senior leadership team and all those who have worked so hard to give students the opportunity to pursue a technical education.

“Unfortunately although we have made every attempt to try to find an alternative solution, the board agreed that closure was the only available option due to low student numbers.

“The wellbeing and success of students remains our highest priority and we hope by announcing this news promptly following the decision we can give students, parents, carers and staff the maximum time possible to make alternative plans for September.

“I would like to thank interim principal Jacquie Petriaho for her leadership and all staff for their continued commitment during this challenging time.”

Blackburn-based Training 2000 recently ended its sponsorship of the UTC and in March it was graded as ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted.

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said: “I was worried about it at the start as there are only so many pupils in Burnley.

“My first concern is that the students who are there at the moment don’t have their education disrupted.

“We need to make sure that there are places found for them and I will be working with the borough and county councils to make sure that happens.

“The UTC was a great use of the Victoria Mill and I also want to make sure that it is used for something else as soon as possible.”

Burnley Council said that it was ‘disappointed’ that the UTC had not proved successful.

Chief executive Pam Smith said “The most important thing now is that full attention is given to the needs and interests of the young people who are students at the UTC.

“What matters is that their next steps in education are the right ones for them to continue building their skills, qualifications and ambitions for the future, and that they receive all the support they need as they move on after the summer.

“Thanks are due to the staff who have worked hard and tried everything to make the UTC model work in Burnley, and who have delivered high-quality education and training to the students.

“We remain ambitious about the Trafalgar Street area, and the wider waterfront regeneration On The Banks, and Burnley Council will continue to work hard so that the area fulfils its potential for jobs and economic growth.”

The council has already begun talking with partner organisations and potential investors about possible future uses for the refurbished Victoria Mill facility.