STUDENTS who may be interested in going to the new University Technical College opening in September are being urged to get their applications in as quickly as possible.

The past few weeks have seen a dramatic increase in youngsters applying for a place at the college, with 12 alone in the past two days.

It brings the total number of formal offers sent out in the last month to 169, with 120 students accepting the offer.

“It’s very hectic at the moment and very exciting as things are really beginning to pick up,” said principal Angela Barker-Dench.

“The number of applications seems to have picked up lots recently. People will still be able to apply right up until the week before we open but I wouldn’t recommend it as once we are full that is it. If applications are put in now, then there is a guaranteed place.

“I don’t think I have looked forward to a job as much as I have this one. It will be very much as though myself, the staff and the students will all be starting at the same time.”

The recruitment process is set to begin tomorrow, with job adverts due to be placed in professional magazines and online. A recruitment day will be held on April 9.

Angela said: “In the first year we will have a staff of 26. The jobs will all be advertised as further education jobs and every member of staff will be fully qualified. We will also soon start recruiting for the senior management and finance teams. Everything is coming together.”

The UTC will cater for students aged between 14 and 19 and there will be a focus on engineering, although a full range of GCSE options will be available. The curriculum has been devised by local employers, such as Honda and BMW, to give pupils the skills they need when they move into the business environment.

It will be housed on the Great Western Mill Site, off Bristol Street and work is now progressing at a quick rate.

“Now the weather has picked up things are coming along very quickly,” said Angela. “We have repaired a lot of the roofing and completed a lot of the new building. We have even started the internal work in some areas.”

For more information about the UTC, visit www.utcswindon.co.uk.