The new school is being built by GB Group’s construction division GB Building Solutions, based in Stockport, and the design was created by Liverpool based firm K2 Architects.
GB Group executive chairman Martin Smout said: “We are looking forward to working with our local supply chain to build this new studio school for the community. Our team has worked hard to ensure the construction process will deliver a cost-effective and sustainable modern studio, equipped with the latest technologies that will integrate with the wider learning campus.”
The event was attended by over 100 people including the school’s Principal, Mr Lee Barber, Paul Hafren, Chair of the Warrington Collegiate Education Trust, and Lisa Bowden from GB Group in front of an audience of students and their parents who will be joining the school from September from their existing schools across Warrington.
Future Tech Studio’s special guest speaker for the event was BBC’s 2013 Apprentice candidate Neil Clough, who is from Warrington and is backing the school and everything it stands for. Neil’s nephew, Charlie Markert, 16, will be among the first intake of students this September.
Studio Schools are a new type of state school for 14 – 19 year olds, which are designed to better prepare young people for the working world. The Future Tech Studio is specialising in IT & Telecommunications, Business & Finance and Engineering. Specialisms were selected based on demand in Warrington and surrounding areas from local employers who need skilled staff to fill the skills gap in future years.
Since the early stages of planning the Future Tech Studio has been leading by example in the recruitment of students, building of the curriculum and working with local employers. The school attracted two applications for every place available for September 2014 student intake.
The school already has over 30 employers signed up to support the school and its students with work placement opportunities, master classes and real life projects, with big local names committing their time to get involved including Barclays Global Technology Centre in Knutsford, United Utilities in Warrington and the North West Environment Agency.
www.futuretech.warrington.ac.uk
Twitter: @FTSWarrington