Cllr David Renard, Swindon Borough Council Leader said: “UTC Swindon’s recent Ofsted rating is disappointing, but the issues highlighted in the report are important and need to be addressed rapidly. This is why we are extremely pleased that the UTC is becoming part of the Activate Learning Education Trust (LET), a multi-academy trust, which includes the UK’s first UTC to be rated Outstanding.
“UTC Swindon also now shares its leader with that top-rated institution, UTC Reading, giving us further confidence that a corner has now been turned.
“However, there is no room for complacency and the Council is very glad that we have been asked to work closely with Activate LET and its partners to help ensure that significant improvements follow. Some of these should be swift whilst others will inevitably take time to achieve.
“We have been aware of the issues facing the UTC and support was repeatedly offered but, sadly, it was refused. As with all independently-run academies, it is not in our gift to force the matter, but we did raise our concerns with the Regional Schools Commissioner.
“This exciting new partnership signals a fresh start and we look forward to seeing a business-like ethos prevail at UTC Swindon, which will fully prepare its students for the working world and help them to fulfil their true potential.”
