£9.5m specialist school in Walsall to close after less than four years

The £9.5 million Black Country University Technical College is to shut with finances, staffing, students numbers and a poor inspection being blamed.

The UTC, which specialises in engineering, had been earmarked to move to a new home by Walsall College next year under multi-million pound plans to cater for up to 480 pupils.

It has been based at the former Sneyd Community School site, off Vernon Way, Bloxwich, since September 2011 for young people aged 14 to 19.

It was anticipated hundreds of students would relocate to the new site, a former car repair shop in Portland Street from next April.

But governors have now announced the UTC will close on August 31. They insist they will offer support and guidance to students as they seek an alternative place to receive an education.

Principal Paul Averis said: "This has been a difficult decision for all concerned.

"Our primary focus remains the wellbeing and success of the students at the school, not least of all those due to sit exams this term.

"We are absolutely committed to ensuring that all of our students can continue with their chosen learning outcomes.

"Support and guidance is being provided to students and their parents and carers both internally and through our local partners including the Walsall Connexions Centre, Walsall Council and our neighbouring authorities of Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire, and our sponsors at Walsall College and the University of Wolverhampton."

He added: "BCUTC will work closely with the Department for Education, Walsall College and other local education institutions over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition for all students."

A statement issued through the governors said: "The wellbeing and success of the students at the school is the priority for the governors and sponsors and full support and guidance is being given to them all, in particular those undertaking exams this term.

"This outcome has been reached following a recent disappointing inspection, a thorough assessment of actual and projected student numbers, financial challenges, staffing capacity and the impact these will have on standards of teaching and learning."