A NEW school is attempting to change the shape of the education landscape after opening its doors this year.

University Technical College in Newhaven cost £14 million and aims to fill in the blanks left by the traditional schooling system in specialist subjects.

The year 10 and 12 students have now left behind their temporary classrooms, which they have been learning in since September, to enter the eagerly anticipated building.

The project saw a conversion of the Grade 2 listed old Marine and Carpenter’s Workshop in Newhaven Harbour into a college campus, injecting young life and aspiration into Newhaven town centre after around 25 years of disuse.

UTC@Harbourside specialises in science, engineering, technology, computing and maths, making it the 39th UTC to open its doors in England, and the first of its kind in the South East.

Jonathan Clarke, headteacher said: “We offer a unique learning environment with world-class facilities and equipment.

“We give young people the skills they need to innovate and invent and offer a variety of extra-curricular activities to support each student’s development.

“I would urge any parent of a year nine, 10 or 11 student to visit us at our next open event to find out what we can offer your son or daughter.

“The building has a unique feel with parts of the original workshop still in place, including one of two gantry cranes which were originally used to lift and manoeuvre boats into the workshop.”

Backed by the Department for Education, it is a partnership between the University of Brighton, the Aldridge Foundation, Lewes District Council and Veolia.

The new college, which took just 18 months to complete, is now home to a super science lab, a fully functioning engineering workshop including an advanced robotic suite, six 3D printers and rapid prototyping facilities.

It also has a boardwalk pontoon, a new canteen and student breakout areas, among the world-class teaching spaces.

Leader for engineering, Bernie Flint, said: “Every student at Harbourside is challenged and encouraged to make significant progress in every lesson.

“We achieve this through an engaging and challenging syllabus, which motivates and inspires everyone.

“With our STEM focus and local industry links, we prepare students for real life, instilling growth mind-sets and an entrepreneurial spirit.”

A surge in interest led to a waiting list to join UTC@harbourside last year, so parents are urged to get their applications for the next academic year in early to avoid disappointment.

The college is currently accepting applications for year 10 and 12. Students or parents can apply online at utc-harbourside.org.