University Collegiate School (UCS), part of QUEST Multi Academy Trust officially opened its new Lord Baker Building on 10th October 2025. Lord Baker co-founded the Baker Dearing Educational Trust with the late Ronald Dearing to establish University Technical Colleges (UTCs) in England.

As a UTC the UCS offers specialised education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) and other technical areas to prepare students for careers in industry. This significant expansion aims to provide enhanced educational facilities and increase student capacity for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Bolton. The £17 million development, officially opened by Lord Baker, marks a major milestone in UCS’s growth. 

Funded by the Department for Education, and backed by £1m from Bolton Council, the new building creates additional learning spaces designed to accommodate a rising number of pupils and deliver a seamless through-education experience.

The expansion is part of council’s wider work to increase the availability of school places in the centre of Bolton and across the borough. Marc Doyle, CEO of Quest, said: “This £17 million Lord Baker Building is a game-changer for our young people—a dynamic, state-of-the-art learning hub designed to spark curiosity, creativity and collaboration at every turn.

“We’re not just opening doors to new classrooms, we’re unlocking the potential of every pupil in Bolton to dream bigger, aim higher and lead the way into tomorrow.” Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, said: “Every child in Bolton deserves the best possible start in life, and that includes being educated in outstanding facilities like the UCS Lord Baker Building. “By backing projects like this, the council is ensuring even more pupils can enjoy a quality education closer to where they live.”

The project was delivered by Galliford Try contractors, with engineering by Mott MacDonald and architectural design by AHR. Darren Parker, Managing Director for Galliford Try North West, said: “It has been a pleasure to deliver this transformative educational facility for QUEST Multi Academy Trust and the Department for Education.

“This project has been a truly collaborative effort, successfully delivered on time and within budget. Just as importantly, it has enabled us to create lasting value for the local community, including 28 new jobs, over £6 million of spend with SMEs, and 32 weeks of work experience opportunities one of which has already led to direct employment with QUEST.” University Collegiate School, under QUEST, continues to prioritise providing high-quality education through investment in infrastructure and resources. 

The Lord Baker Building represents a significant step forward in offering pupils in Bolton an improved learning environment that supports academic achievement and personal development. Looking ahead, UCS plans to further develop its curriculum and facilities to meet the evolving needs of its growing pupil community, ensuring that every child has access to excellent education close to home.