Formal opening of UCL Academy

A unique partnership between a school and one of the world's leading universities is being celebrated today at the formal opening of the UCL Academy, the first school in England to have a university as a sole sponsor. UCL Academy is adopting a radical approach to learning that will give school students opportunities to learn from world-leading researchers and follow a curriculum designed in collaboration with UCL. Regular exchange of ideas and teaching and learning practice between the two institutions will promote academic excellence and increasingly break down the boundaries between secondary and higher education. The UCL Academy opened in September 2012 with 180 students in Foundation (Year 7) and 125 students in Level 3 (Year 12). It will reach its full capacity of 1,150 students by the autumn of 2016. Some of the exciting features of the new School include: A curriculum that allows students to work through levels at their own pace, with different age groups studying together; Students and teachers will not be tied to one classroom. Each floor at the school has a superstudio, a long room with a central tiered amphitheatre-style learning space and space on either side for various learning activities.