The Sir Simon Milton Westminster University Technical College

• I MUST ask you to set the record straight concerning last week’s article (Jobs to go with closure of ‘Sir Simon’ university tech, Friday January 21) in which you state that: “…management [of the college] was the responsibility of the Sir Simon Milton Foundation”.

This is not true.

The management of the college was and is the responsibility of the independent governing body of the academy trust.

The foundation, a Westminster-based charity supporting the education and training of young people in Westminster, has been a strong supporter of the Sir Simon Milton Westminster University Technical College from its very outset with its aim to bring high quality technical education to the heart of the city.

We will remain supporters until it closes this summer.

To that end we have set aside a fund, the Sir Simon Milton Fund, to support the pupils and staff at the college in whatever way we can to ensure that the students in particular get the best possible education in their remaining months at the college and the best possible outcomes when they leave.

We are desperately sad that the college is having to close, not just for ourselves but also for the parents and carers, for the excellent staff who are losing their jobs and most of all for the students who will now complete their courses at the UTC and move on elsewhere.

We are delighted however that Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, will continue to provide technical education on the site after the UTC closes.

MATTHEW SYKES
Chief Executive
The Sir Simon Milton Foundation