New school pathway for 14 years old at Warwickshire College – Open event

What is WCG Drive?

Opening in September 2026 at our Warwick Trident College campus, WCG Drive is an innovative 14–16 direct-entry “school-within-a-college”.

It is designed for young people who are ready to focus on a technical career path, or who would simply thrive better in a highly supportive, practical, and vocationally focused environment rather than a traditional mainstream school. Students attend for 25 hours a week, providing the safety and structure of a school, but with the resources of a vocationally strong college.

The Curriculum and Pathways

We are currently taking applications from current Year 9 students who are looking for an alternative route for their Key Stage 4 journey (entering Year 10 this September).

Students at WCG Drive will study a tailored curriculum that blends essential academic qualifications with hands-on technical mastery:

• Core GCSEs: All students will study English Language, Mathematics, Double Science, and an additional optional subject (such as Computing or Business).
• Technical Specialisms: Alongside their GCSEs, students choose a vocational pathway in either Engineering or Motor Vehicle.
• State-of-the-art Facilities: Students will learn using over £30 million worth of industry-standard equipment, including advanced robotics labs and the latest automotive technology.

I am thrilled to report that the conversion of our Warwick Trident campus is now 95% complete. The dedicated 14–16 zone—which features its own classrooms, social spaces, and facilities—is looking fantastic and is ready to welcome our first cohort.

WCG Drive Open Evening: Tuesday 9th June

To showcase this new facility to prospective students and their families, we are hosting our next Open Evening. Visitors will be able to tour the new bespoke facilities, speak with our specialist tutors and support staff, and learn about the application and interview process.

• Date: Tuesday 9th June
• Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Location: Warwick Trident College, Poseidon Way, Warwick, CV34 6SW
• Booking: Families can register for their free place via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wcg-drive-14-16-open-events-tickets-1981857443965?aff=oddtdtcreator

How you can help

We want to ensure that every family across Warwickshire who might benefit from this unique pathway is aware that WCG Drive is an option for them.

I would be incredibly grateful if you could share the details of WCG Drive and our upcoming Open Evening with your local community. Whether this is through your parish/district/county council newsletter, community noticeboards, local social media groups, or directly with constituents you feel would benefit, your help is vital in spreading the word.

For a full overview of the provision, please feel free to direct families to our dedicated webpage: https://wcg.ac.uk/wcgdrive

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the initiative, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you for your time and for your continued dedication to supporting the young people of Warwickshire.