Devon’s ‘Newest School’ appoints first Principal

Devon’s ‘newest school’ - covering Exeter and the whole of south Devon – has appointed its first Principal in advance of opening in September 2015.

The University of Exeter-backed South Devon University Technical College (UTC) will offer a new way of learning for up to 600 young people aged 14 to 18, recruiting from Exeter as well as Teignbridge, Torbay, , Plymouth and the South Hams.

Ian Crews, age 51, currently Vice-Principal of Bodmin College Academy in Cornwall, will take up the post on 1st September 2014 following two successful careers in education and engineering.

Before qualifying as a teacher and progressing to Vice Principal, Ian served in the Royal Navy for 15 years having trained at the RN School of Aircraft Engineering. On leaving the Navy, he became a reservist and continued his involvement with the engineering training school at RNAS Culdrose where he was the senior instructor.

Returning to education, Ian qualified as a mathematics teacher at St Luke’s College, Exeter University, with a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics Education. He then taught at St Boniface’s Catholic College, Plymouth, and Liskeard School before joining Bodmin College in 2009 as Assistant Principal, being appointed Vice Principal in 2012.

South Devon UTC will be the Exeter and South Devon area’s first University Technical College, joining dozens already established around the country with many more in the pipeline.

State-funded and sponsored by a range of major public and private bodies, UTCs’ special role will be to integrate an outstanding academic and technical education with a comprehensive work experience and enrichment programme.

South Devon UTC will have a unique focus in engineering, water and the environment, reflecting both the natural environment in Devon and the needs of employers in these industries where there is a lack of technicians available.

“It will be a privilege to lead the exciting development and setting up of South Devon UTC,” said Ian Crews. “I am really looking forward to working with the young people of South Devon to encourage them along a science or engineering based pathway into a rewarding career”.

“I am highly motivated by the prospect of creating opportunities for young people in a field that is at the heart of what I believe is our country’s future, that of an outstanding, technical education leading to a higher quality of young engineers, scientists and technicians for our region.”

Professor Janice Kay, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter and Chair of the South Devon UTC Board of Directors, said: “Throughout the application and interview process, I was extremely impressed by Ian’s wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise, both as a technician and an educator.

“It is a fundamentally important task of the South Devon UTC to support talented and enthusiastic young people to play key roles in the economy, especially in the expanding areas of engineering, water and the natural environment. Ian's appointment is key to this and as a leading UK and global university with a strong regional mission, we are proud to support him and the exciting new University Technical College.”

Dr Stephen Bird, Director of Operations at Exeter-based South West Water and Chair of the UTC Project Steering Group, added: /UTC Director, said: “Ian possesses an ideal blend of both business and academic experience, which he will bring to this new and exciting role. South Devon UTC will ultimately equip students with the skills, experience and qualifications they need to start their working lives in the growing fields of water, engineering and the environment.”

As a non-selective school the UTC will enable students to achieve academic qualifications including GCSEs and A levels as well as technical qualifications at levels 1-3. Students will progress to jobs as technicians or apprentices or progress to university, many having secured industry sponsorship to do so.

Teaching and learning will be delivered in a new purpose-built school set to be under construction in Newton Abbot. Students will study for english, maths, science and technical qualifications through a practical and stimulating school experience with regular employer contact.

For more information or an interview with Ian Crews, please contact James Harper on 07895 431831 or South Devon UTC Project Champion Adele Dawson on 07739 171354.

More information about South Devon UTC, including details of registering an interest in a place at the school, are at www.southdevonutc.org