Friday, 25 February 2011

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have officially opened the country’s first University Technical College (UTC) in Rocester, Derbyshire. The academy specialises in Engineering, Manufacturing and International Business.

Buro Four were appointed by Department of Education in May 2006 to provide construction project management services on the academy, which is sponsored by Sir Anthony Bamford of the JCB Group.

The £24 million restoration, conversion and adaptation of a Grade II Listed 1780s Arkwright Mill into a City Academy for 540 pupils. The building is highly sustainable with features such as an Archimedian Screw, a biomass boiler, photovoltaic panels and solar panels. UTC’s are a new concept in education offering 12-19 year olds the opportunity to take a highly-regarded, full time, technically orientated course of study. They are equipped to the highest standard, sponsored by a university and offer clear progression routes into higher education or further learning in work.

A video of Prince Charles' speech and some stills from the Academy can be found here.