THE town’s newest college has been accused of ‘damaging schools’ after dozens of pupils left their school early to transfer there this month.

The year nine pupils, from schools across Warrington, were due to join UTC Warrington in September.

But the college, which offers science and engineering courses for students aged 14 to 19, asked them to join in January instead and many left their former schools at Christmas.

The Warrington Guardian understands many schools only found out from the students themselves and that schools will lose funding immediately.

It is also understood that the council was not told of the move and only discovered it when schools asked what was going on.

Much of the paperwork was also not transferred in time for the start of term.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, said: “The council was very disappointed by the unwise decision of the UTC and are unimpressed by its educational principles.

“We have met with the UTC to discuss the matter and in particular how, in future, our young people’s interests could be better served by developing good relationships between schools and the UTC.” 

Warrington North MP Helen Jones: “The actions of the UTC have damaged many schools and will lead to yet further cuts in their budgets. 

“It is quite astonishing that it acted in this way without approval from the Department for Education (DfE).

“Schools should be working together to provide the best possible choices for young people yet instead the Government has ushered in an era of cut-throat competition which will damage all our schools. 

“I shall be tabling questions in parliament asking the Government to compensate schools which have lost money through the actions of the UTC when they are already struggling with cuts to their budgets.”

The UTC refused to comment but it is understood it did seek to get approval from the DfE for the approaches.