THE team behind a world land speed record attempt has linked up with pupils at a new specialist technical college in Didcot.

Bloodhound SCC – a project to build a supersonic car designed to travel at 1,000 mph – has announced that it will move its headquarters from Kingston-upon-Thames to the University Technical College at Great Western Park.

The team is to set up an office and meeting space at the school, which opens on Monday, September 7 for 150 pupils aged 14 to 19.

Eventually there will be places for 600 pupils studying science and engineering.

UTC Oxfordshire Principal Owain Johns said: “This new partnership means our students will be rubbing shoulders with the team behind one of the most high-profile and exciting science and engineering challenges of our time.

“The ethos of Bloodhound is to break new ground in science and engineering while also inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

“This is an excellent match with our vision at UTC Oxfordshire, which is to equip young people with the skills required to pursue successful careers in science, engineering, technology and mathematics.”

The Bloodhound team is preparing to beat its own record next summer, by reaching a speed of 800mph in the South African desert.

Based on the success of this attempt it will then schedule the 1,000mph record attempt.

The construction of Bloodhound SCC is continuing at the Bristol Technical Centre, ready for its world debut on November 17.

Bloodhound project director, Richard Noble OBE, said: “We are delighted to announce that from last Saturday the Bloodhound Project’s head office will be located at UTC Oxfordshire.

“With our technical centre in Bristol, our sponsorship and marketing base in London and suppliers located throughout the UK, Oxfordshire is an ideal central location for this national endeavour.”

When it opens in September, UTC Oxfordshire will offer pupils in years 10 to 13 the opportunity to gain science and engineering qualifications alongside GCSEs and A-Levels.

Industry partners for the new school include the BMW Mini plant in Oxford, RM Education, and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

The school’s leading sponsor is Activate Learning, which manages City of Oxford College and Banbury and Bicester College.