THE man who will head up Oxfordshire’s first University Technical College (UTC) has been appointed.

Owain Johns has been named as the “principal designate” of the new school for Didcot’s Great Western Park.

Mr Johns hit headlines in 2010 when pupils at one of his former schools, Beaconsfield High School in Buckinghamshire, started a campaign on Facebook for him to be named headteacher as they disapproved of the woman appointed to the post.

Once UTC Oxfordshire opens in September next year he will officially be its principal.

The UTC will specialise in science research, engineering and computing. It will teach youngsters between 14 and 19 core GCSEs, BTEC qualifications and A-Levels alongside their chosen specialism.

The curriculum will focus on projects which are delivered in partnership with Oxfordshire employers such as Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, Mini Plant Oxford and RM Education.

Building work on the UTC has already begun. The school, run by Activate Learning, will initially offer 140 places for Year 10 and Year 12 students, eventually providing places for 600 students across the full 14-19 age range.

He said: “I am excited about leading what will become a world class educational experience.’’ Activate Learning chief executive Sally Dicketts said: “We look forward to working with him as we develop the curriculum and recruit pupils in readiness for opening.”

Vale of White Horse District Council’s planning committee was due to give the scheme the go-ahead last night.

 

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