The new Tottenham UTC

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has reached an agreement with the government to build a new university technical college (UTC) as part of its wider stadium redevelopment plans. 

The Premier League side has struck a deal with the Department for Education and the Education Funding Authority to include the new Tottenham UTC in its project to build a new 56,000-seat stadium.

Spurs are one of a growing number of Premier League clubs to sponsor state schools in recent years. Last year, a free school pupil referral unit sponsored by Everton Football Club opened its doors, while Manchester City is also supporting a sixth form college in the east of the city.  

The Tottenham UTC is expected to open in September 2014 and has already begun recruiting students, staging the first of several parents’ evenings at the existing White Hart Lane football ground last Saturday.

In a release, the football club said the new college will be co-sponsored with the University of Middlesex and have a specialism in the “technology of science”, which will be taught through sport and health.

It is part of the club’s wider “sport-led” regeneration of the area, which it hopes will ease the passage of its new stadium plans.

Donna-Maria Cullen, executive director at the club and trustee of the Tottenham UTC, said the area was in desperate need of regeneration. 

“As one of its main employers, we recognise the importance of inspiring education among our community. The Tottenham UTC will deliver significant benefits ... transform the educational offer in the area and provide new hope and opportunity to young people across North London.”

When it opens its doors next year, it will initially start with Year 10 and Year 12 students and will eventually grow to 900 14 to 18-year-olds.

Lord Baker of Dorking, chairman of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, which manages the country’s UTC programme, welcomed the club’s backing for the college.

“This is the first UTC to be supported by a major Premier League football club and I am delighted we are working together for the benefit of young people in Tottenham,” he said.