Британдық әскери-техникалық колледжінің тарихы

Former British sixth form college specialising in military technical studies

Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (stylised as Welbeck – The Defence Sixth Form College), While run as a sixth form college, the school was an institution of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and part of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Founded in 1953, the school was originally based at Welbeck Abbey near Worksop, where it provided A level education for boys planning to join the technical branches of the British Army. By 2004, the school accepted both male and female students for all three branches of the British Armed Forces, and in 2005, the school was re opened and relocated to a purpose built site in Leicestershire, where it also began admitting potential civil servants for the Defence Engineering and Science Group within the Ministry of Defence. The school closed on 3 July 2021.

Recognising a decline in the number of cadets passing to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), particularly from the north of England, in 1951, the Army Council appointed a committee to consider ways to attract young boys to take commissions in the army. The committee concluded that either a system of scholarships should be established to encourage boys to stay at school until they were 18 before graduating to Sandhurst, or that the army should open a school of its own. The second method was preferred by the council, who appointed a second committee which selected Welbeck Abbey; previously an army college for adults, as the site for the new school. The report was approved by the council, and in the autumn of 1952, work commenced to convert the abbey, which was let by the Duke of Portland to the Ministry of Defence, into a teaching facility. Following several meetings throughout September 1953 to finalise some last details, Welbeck College, The Army Sixth Form, was officially opened on 1953 09 25.

In 1992, female students were permitted to join the school for the first time. In 2002, the Defence Training Review resulted in a decision to expand the school to accommodate candidates for the engineering branches of the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal Air Force (RAF), starting from 2004. Having operated from Welbeck Abbey for half a century, The school officially re opened as Welbeck – The Defence Sixth Form College, on 2005 12 07. In a parliamentary debate called by then Conservative MP Nicky Morgan on 30 April 2019, Defence minister Mark Lancaster said that "the scheme as it stands has consistently failed to deliver the required number of engineers and technical officers to Defence since its establishment in 2005", and that, "on average only 53 per cent of entrants have completed [the scheme] successfully, and a proportion of those have not achieved STEM degrees". He also noted that "the scheme has cost the Ministry of Defence and the taxpayer some £200,000 per student who has become a STEM graduate". The site has been retained by the Ministry of Defence, and in September 2021, converted to a military establishment, renamed as MOD Garats Hay. In January 2023, a regional medical centre was opened on the site, for use by serving personnel. The site is currently being used by the military for military training and conference purposes, along with sports events and general classroom learning. Civilian emergency services, including the police also make use of the site, including 'blue light' training, pyrotechnics and simulated gunfire, and canine training.

Although run as a sixth form college, the school was an institution of the Ministry of Defence and ultimately part of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, and latterly operated by Minerva Ltd as part of a public–private partnership. The school was an associate of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC).

As a selective school, it required prospective pupils to satisfy one of the Single Service Selection Boards, and meet minimum academic requirements. A 2018 Independent Schools Inspectorate report noted that pupils at the school came from a very diverse range of backgrounds from across the United Kingdom.

Aiming to prepare students for careers in the British Armed Forces, the school focused primarily on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, Before its closure, all students were required to take four AS levels in lower sixth, including mathematics and physics, and all had to continue mathematics at A level in their final year. An enrichment programme was also available, whereby students could attain additional qualifications such as developing language skills or completing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Pupils typically went on to read science, engineering, or management degrees at one of eleven universities on the scheme.

Unlike most schools, participation in the school's Combined Cadet Force (CCF) was a compulsory part of the curriculum for all students. The school CCF held an annual passing out parade to an audience of family, friends, and invited guests. Awards were given to the best cadet from each section, and two special awards: the Welbeck Sword of Honour and the Prince Philip Medal, were also presented.