Plans for a University Technical College (UTC) on the Southwark College site in Keetons Road have been delayed.

The revelation comes in a report prepared for Monday’s meeting of the council’s education scrutiny sub-committee:

16. The DfE has now approved the deferral of the opening of the UTC to September 2013. This date remains challenging and there is uncertainty associated with the project as a result of the proposed merger of Lewisham and Southwark College and the potential for this to result in the non-availability of the site or the necessary ancillary facilities for the UTC.

Meanwhile Compass Free School is still looking for premises for its proposed secondary school.

The Southwark Free School now has a permanent site for its primary school in Rotherhithe New Road but it still needs a temporary home if it is to open on schedule this autumn.

The council is also considering the potential expansion of St Michael’s College or the City of London Academy to meet the expected need for extra secondary school places in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.