Utc Oxfordshire Prospectus Contents 1
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SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE FOR ALL UTC OXFORDSHIRE PROSPECTUS CONTENTS 1 DISCOVER A NEW WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES CONTENTS Our aim is to become a world-class centre of excellence in science and engineering education for BE INSPIRED 3 students aged 14 to 19. ACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST 4 Our students will be well known for having the skills, attitudes, behaviours, knowledge and OUR LEARNING PHILOSOPHY 5 experience that the world’s leading employers are looking for. You will be well connected with access to over 40 industry partners; locally based national and international organisations such as WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE? 6 UK Atomic Energy Authority, RM Education and MINI Plant Oxford, which will give you access to UTC OXFORDSHIRE 8 great opportunities for employment and sponsorship. WISE UP ABOUT WOMEN IN STEM 10 LEARN FOR THE REAL WORLD 12 Lead sponsor THE KEY STAGE 4 PROGRAMME 14 SIXTH FORM 16 LEARN IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART ENVIRONMENT 20 IMAGINE YOUR DAY AT THE UTC 23 INDUSTRY PARTNERS 24 JOIN AT 14 26 JOIN AT 16 28 FIND US 30 FIND OUT MORE 31 UTC Oxfordshire - home of The Bloodhound SSC Headquarters All information in this guide is correct at the time of going to print but may be subject to change. UTC OXFORDSHIRE PROSPECTUS BE INSPIREDNOTES 2 3 BE INSPIRED THE FACILITIES ON OFFER HERE, COUPLED WITH THE LEVEL OF EXPERIMENTS THE STUDENTS ARE COMPLETING, MAKE THIS SCHOOL UNIQUE. As you approach the beginning of your GCSEs or A-levels, you’ll be facing some important choices about your learning. Getting these decisions right will set you on the path to a great career. We’re really pleased that you’re thinking of coming to UTC Oxfordshire and want to share some of the possibilities that the UTC can create for GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING TO OUR ECONOMY, AND you. THE POTENTIAL SKILLS SHORTAGE IN THESE AREAS, THE IDEA OF A SCHOOL LIKE THIS IS Science and engineering are important sectors for the economy in Oxfordshire. The area has high employment OBVIOUS AND YET IT TAKES SOMEONE TO ACTUALLY DO IT. THAT IS THE GENIUS OF THE rates and is the base for many national and global companies. UTC Oxfordshire offers high-quality and PLACE, THAT SOMEONE HAS GOT THE CONCEPT UP AND RUNNING AND THAT THEY ARE innovative education for students aged 14 to 19 that will help you take advantage of career opportunities in the region’s science and engineering sectors. DELIVERING THE CURRICULUM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE UTC Oxfordshire is a very special place, created through a partnership between industry and education. Our SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL. proven approach to the curriculum, grounded in traditional values, will provide a great foundation for your future. OUR COUNTRY IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR With us, you will be able to follow your areas of interest in either science or engineering while studying GCSEs and A-levels and learn invaluable practical skills from the best in the industry. We are confident that students SCIENCE RESEARCH AND WE NEED MORE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE SKILLS TO SUSTAIN who attend UTC Oxfordshire will be given the best start in a variety of progression routes into employment and THIS POSITION. SCHOOLS LIKE THIS CAN HELP BY OPENING UP ACCESS BETWEEN further or higher education. STUDENTS AND INDUSTRY. UTC Oxfordshire will offer you something different, and we expect you to want something different: » To follow your interest in either science or engineering while studying for your GCSEs or A-levels Professor Brian Cox, » To learn differently through our industry challenges and projects set by our industry partners UTC Oxfordshire’s official » To want the best chance of moving into employment or further and higher education in your opening event 2016 chosen field If you enjoy learning through doing, want to benefit from the latest technology in learning and be in an environment that feels more like being at work than school, then UTC Oxfordshire could be for you. We hope our guide will inspire you to find out more about the great opportunities we have to offer at UTC Oxfordshire and we would warmly welcome you to join us in September. Owain Johns Glen Young Principal Vice Principal UTC OXFORDSHIRE PROSPECTUS ALET LEARNING PHILOSOPHY 4 5 ACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST ALET LEARNING PHILOSOPHY (ALET) UTC Oxfordshire is a member of Activate Learning Education Trust, a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) established by The ALET Learning Philosophy has been developed by members of the Activate Learning group and Activate Learning. recognises three essential elements for effective learning: Activate Learning Education Trust exists to deliver excellence in education and transform lives through learning. Our schools to date are UTC Oxfordshire, UTC Reading, UTC Swindon, UTC Heathrow, Bicester Technology Studio, The Bicester School and Theale Green School. » BRAIN – our brains are capable of incredible things. From the study of neuroscience we know how the brain forms networks and how learning takes place when neurons connect. As a member of Activate Learning Education Trust, UTC Oxfordshire benefits from the following: We know how to deepen these connections through ongoing practice and how to replace poor learning with good habits. » Excellent leadership being spread across all partner schools » MOTIVATION – while our brains may be capable of learning anything, we are only likely to » Leadership development that happens across all partner schools use them if we are motivated to do so. Our approach to learning helps to demonstrate the relevance and impact of new skills and knowledge so that students maintain motivation. » Sharing of resources without any barriers » Shared contracts across the group, reducing costs » EMOTIONS – the biggest barrier to effective learning is our emotional response. Learning involves taking risks and students must feel safe, secure and confident to do this. This philosophy translates into an educational experience which offers: » opportunities to test new skills through practical, real-world projects » experiences of work which demonstrate the relevance and impact of knowledge ACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST’S CORE PURPOSE » a focus on developing independent learning skills, communication and teamwork IS TO DELIVER EXCELLENT TEACHING, LEARNING » a supportive learning environment which encourages students to take risks and learn from AND ASSESSMENT AND A HIGH QUALITY LEARNER mistakes EXPERIENCE, UNDERPINNED BY HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND Find out more about how our Learning Philosophy is FOSTERING HIGH ASPIRATIONS FOR ALL. inspiring new approaches to teaching and learning throughout this prospectus. UTC OXFORDSHIRE PROVIDES A HIGH QUALITY TECHNICAL EDUCATION, CO-CREATED WITH EMPLOYERS, GIVING STUDENTS A CLEAR LINE OF SIGHT TO WORK. THROUGH THE LEARNING PHILOSOPHY, STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO FULFIL THEIR POTENTIAL AND DEVELOP INTO POSITIVE, MOTIVATED, EMPLOYABLE YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY LEAVE EDUCATION. Lee Nicholls Executive Director, Activate Learning CEO, Activate Learning Education Trust UTC OXFORDSHIRE PROSPECTUS WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE? 6 7 WHAT IS A UNIVERSITY Yassmine Girgis, UTC Oxfordshire alumna and current apprentice at TECHNICAL COLLEGE? Jaguar Land Rover “The whole experience here at the UTC made it really worthwhile; the facilities are obviously amazing, which normal schools don’t have, but also the staff here are so respectful to you and this makes for a really nice A UTC is different from the average school because it has support and STUDY CASE learning environment. If you show focus and have a good work ethic then backing from local, high-profile industry partners who are involved in the the teachers will happily help you out. There is a really good relationship development of the curriculum. Each UTC also has academic partners who between students and teachers here. They want you to enhance your knowledge, so it’s not only about what’s on the syllabus, but also a wider help make sure that it really can offer students the best of both worlds. range of things from their personal experiences of working in industry. You may not particularly need to know these things at this stage but it helps you to see a wider picture.” This means you can take advantage of a UTC’s specialist “The motivation from my tutors and teachers is what helped me to get subjects while still taking the GCSEs and A-levels that the apprenticeship as they aren’t just satisfied with making sure you have you would at school. somewhere to go after the UTC; they want to make sure that it works for UTCs are for students aged 14 to 19, as this is the age you and gives you a challenge. They push you to understand all the options when you’ll have a better idea of what you are really that are available to you, so that you can choose the best option.” interested in and whether you would enjoy learning in a more high-tech environment. The UK needs advanced technical skills at all levels if we are to prosper. Whether in manufacturing, wind farms, rail links or high-tech hospitals, we need a workforce that can develop new products, stretch and reuse existing resources and meet the challenges of the future. UTCs are meeting the needs of the skills gap and by 2018 around 30,000 students will be able to follow this new technical education pathway. £77 Find out more: www.utcolleges.org BILLION PHYSICS-BASED BUSINESSES ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN ONE MILLION JOBS IN THE UK AND CONTRIBUTE £77 BILLION TO THE UK ECONOMY UTC OXFORDSHIRE PROSPECTUS 2015/16 UTC OXFORDSHIRE 8 9 UTC OXFORDSHIRE Free and non-selective, UTC Oxfordshire specialises in life Key facts for parents sciences, physical sciences and engineering, alongside a broad and carers: THE UK NEEDS TO BOOST ITS HIGH- and balanced curriculum.