EDUCATION bosses at the Future Tech Studio School have showcased the school’s unique concept during a number of events last month.

The school will specialise in offering young people, between the ages of 14 and 19, the opportunity to study for qualifications leading to careers in a number of professional sectors.

This includes IT and telecommunications, business and finance and engineering.

A taster session was held for prospective students, where they were given the opportunity to work directly with the employers in sector specific workshops.

The event was supported by employers including European Metal Recycling, the Environment Agency, Electricity North West, Barclays Global Technology Centre, United Utilities and MCC Digital.

The workshops ranged from designing an iBook on an iPad with MCC Digital through to looking at a river project with the Environment Agency.

It also gave parents the chance to quiz education bosses at the the school about how it will differ to other schools in Warrington.

Parent Daryl Jones said: “I thought it was a really informative event. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her workshop and I feel that the workshop held by European Metal Recycling ignited a genuine interest in HR with Grace.”

An open evening was also held on November 25, with a number of demonstrations taking place to showcase the unique concept of the school.

This included augmented reality demonstration and 3D printing from Hobs Reprographics, a 3D projector screening display from CC Communications and a VEX robot display from Rapid Education.

More than 250 people attended one or more of the Future Tech Studio School events.

Marketing co-ordinator Steph Hutchinson said this was a ‘testament to the popularity of this school’.

The school is due to open in September 2014 and will offer places for 55 year 10 students and 55 year 12 students.


THE principal designate at The Future Tech Studio School has finally been announced.

Lee Barber joins the school from Irlam and Cadishead College, where he has worked for more than six years, most recently taking on the job as the college’s assistant head teacher.

Mr Barber said: "I'm truly delighted and feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to lead an innovative, forward-thinking school like Future Tech.

“I am confident that the school, in collaboration with its employer partners and Warrington Collegiate Education Trust, can be at the forefront of outstanding education in the borough."

Paul Hafren, chairman of Warrington Collegiate Education Trust, who was part of the interview panel, said Mr Barber’s ‘passion for the position and dedication to young people was clear from the outset’.

Mr Hafren continued: “Lee was an outstanding candidate for the role of principal designate at the Future Tech Studio. We are looking forward to having him on board from January 2014.”
 

THE Future Tech Studio has recently launched its website, which will provide prospective parents and student with everything they need to know about the new school.

The website will act as a one-stop portal for news, information and events regarding the Future Tech Studio School.

Parents and students can also keep up to date with the latest developments by visiting facebook.com/futuretechstudioschool or follow them on Twitter @FTSWarrington.

Visit futuretech.warrington.ac.uk.

THE Environment Agency has joined forces with the Future Tech Studio School to provide students with the opportunity to be coached by technical specialists and officers.

Students will benefit from first-hand experience in climate change, conservation and ecology and flood and coastal risk management.

Nick Mercer, team leader at Environment Agency said: "We believe that Future Tech Studio is a fantastic opportunity to work with the young people in the area.

“Helping to develop skilled young people will also help to fulfil the needs of employers like ourselves who actively recruit across a diverse background."