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Welcome to the UTC newsletter

Dear Subscriber,

What a productive start to the new term for the UTC community!

This month, Year 10 pupils at Bristol Technology and Engineering (BTE) Academy were inspired when engineering students from the University of the West of England (UWE) delivered a 'Robotics Day' exclusively for them. Meanwhile, a group of Tottenham UTC students were inspiring engineers of the future when they designed and delivered a robotics workshop for 50 youngsters at Lea Valley Primary School’s STEM Careers Fair. In Wolverhampton, students of the West Midlands Construction UTC have been getting involved in a large-scale local project, helping to lead the design and construction of their new campus.

University Technical Colleges have continued to attract attention as a key element in the future of education. Sir Michael Wilshaw, HM Chief Inspector for Schools, supported the concept in a high profile speech he recently delivered at a political debate in central London. BBC Radio 4 also put the spotlight on the UTC movement when staff and students in Bristol were interviewed by former BBC Economics Editor, Robert Peston, and featured in his programme.

Last year 11 UTCs were added to the network.  Amongst these was UTC Oxfordshire, which has just celebrated its official opening with well-known physicist and television presenter, Brian Cox, who was guest of honour. 2016 will see 12 new UTCs opening in September. These will include a second UTC in Sheffield, which has just recruited a new Principal.

Read on to find out more about these news highlights, as well as February open days and job vacancies. For other UTC stories, visit our website

The team at Baker Dearing Educational Trust
Promoting University Technical Colleges

News

UTC ‘Robotics Day’ is supported by a leading robotics university 

Students from the University of the West of England (UWE), home of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, recently delivered a day of fun, yet insightful robotics engineering activities for the BTE Academy UTC.

The group of Year 10s were given guidance on robot logic, assembly and programming by the university students.

Read the full story

UTC students inspire engineers of the future

Student ambassadors from Tottenham UTC successfully developed and delivered a STEM workshop to students at Ley Valley Primary School.

The workshop, 'Insight into Robotics Engineering,' was designed for 50 young students, aged 9-12 years old. It was split into three active and engaging sessions, each run by a different student ambassador.

Read the full story

UTC students design their new campus

Students at the West Midlands Construction UTC have been helping to lead the design and build project of their new campus, due to open later this year.

Their Lego model preserves some of the best original features from the old Springfield Brewery, which the UTC building will replace. The piece has also been entered into a Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage competition.

Read the full story

BBC visits the BTE Academy

The BBC’s economics editor Robert Peston, who recently joined ITV, visited the UTC to speak to students and staff for the BBC Radio 4 programme, “What Should We Teach Our Kids?”

Principal, Rhian Prest, took him on a tour of the school, where he spoke with students and saw the cutting edge, inspirational learning environment for engineering and technology the UTC has to offer. 

Read the full story

Head of Ofsted backs a University Technical College education

Sir Michael Wilshaw, HM Chief Inspector of Schools, backed the UTC movement in a recent keynote speech that opened a debate on the future of education, hosted by Centre Forum in central London.

He promoted the importance of the high-quality technical education that UTCs deliver as a means to 'equipping youngsters with the skills they need and employers want,' making them essential in reducing youth unemployment in the UK. 

Read the full story

Brian Cox officially opens UTC Oxfordshire

Brian Cox, physicist and presenter of BBC’s Stargazing Live, was proudly welcomed by UTC Oxfordshire as guest of honour at its official opening ceremony earlier this month.

At the event, Professor Cox participated in activities with pupils before addressing the large audience of around 200 guests.

 

Read the full story

Welcoming a new Principal for Sheffield's second UTC

UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, opening in September, was pleased to appoint Sarah Clark as its new Principal.

Sarah has an academic background in molecular biology and has held a variety of senior roles in education. She will take up her post as Principal for Sheffield’s second UTC in March.

Read the full story

Events and open days

UTCs across the country hold special events, open days and taster sessions throughout the year. Talk to students and teachers and find out more about UTCs.

View February events

Case study

Usayd Callender explains how UTC Reading showed him new career pathways

Usayd joined UTC Reading in Year 11 and achieved 5 GCSE A*-C grades including grade ‘A’ in Computer Science. He has also recently won a British Computer Society competition for an ‘app’ he developed.

Read how a UTC education offered Usayd, now in Year 12, a structured learning environment, new professional development pathways, and has changed his outlook on his future.

Read the case study

Job vacancies

UTCs across the country are regularly looking for talented individuals to join their dedicated and inspiring teams of principals, vice principals, teachers and administrative support personnel.

Portsmouth UTCWMG Academy for Young Engineers, and Derby Manufacturing UTC are recruiting this month.

View and apply

Baker Dearing Educational Trust
4 Millbank
London
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Call 020 7960 1555
Email director@utcolleges.org

Baker Dearing Educational Trust

Copyright © 2016 Baker Dearing Educational Trust, All rights reserved.

University Technical Colleges are promoted by Baker Dearing Educational Trust, which is supported by The Edge Foundation, The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, Department for Education, and Garfield Weston Foundation.

Baker Dearing Educational Trust is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee registered at the above address in England and Wales.

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