2014|2015 COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE FOR 14–19 YEAR OLDS PROSPECTUS 2018–19 ENTER A BE INSPIRED 1 WORLD OF NEW As you approach the beginning of GCSEs or Post-16, you’ll be facing some important choices about your learning. You’ll know that 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 Reading and taking advantage of the many opportunities we can offer you. OPPORTUNITIES… With us, you’ll be able to follow your areas of interest in either computer science or engineering while studying GCSEs, A-levels and getting invaluable practical skills from the best in the industry. This is because UTC Reading has the support of local, high profile industry and academic partners who help to shape the CONTENTS curriculum and work closely with our students. BE INSPIRED 1 We believe that students who attend UTC Reading, rated Outstanding in all categories by Ofsted in 2015, ACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST 2 are given the best start in a variety of progression routes. Last year our students progressed on to university, an apprenticeship, a sponsored degree programme or employment. OUR LEARNING PHILOSOPHY 3 FIND OUT ABOUT UTCs 4 UTC Reading will offer you something different. And we expect you to want something different: WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY 6 to follow your interest in computer science or engineering while studying for your GCSEs or A-levels A WELCOME FROM OUR STUDENT PRESIDENTS 8 to embrace opportunities to work through challenges and projects set by our industry partners STUDENT DESTINATIONS 9 UTC READING GCSE AND A-LEVEL RESULTS 10 to want the best chance of moving into employment or further and higher education in your chosen field OUTSTANDING UTC 11 UTC READING – LEARN FOR THE REAL WORLD 12 If you want to benefit from the latest technology, be in an environment that feels more like being at work than school and benefit from our wide industry links then UTC Reading could be for you. PROJECT BASED LEARNING 14 SPECIALIST ENRICHMENT 15 We hope our guide will inspire you to find out more about the great opportunities we have to offer at UTC Reading and we would warmly welcome you to join us in September 2018. THE KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM 16 POST-16 OPTIONS 18 Jonathan Nicholls, Principal PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 22 LEARN IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART ENVIRONMENT 24 EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS 26 LEAD PARTNERS 27 JOIN UTC READING 28 FIND OUT MORE 30 Joanne Harper, Executive Principal INNOVATIVE, EDUCATING EMPLOYER- THE NEXT FOCUSSED GENERATION OF SCHOOL FOR 14 OUTSTANDING TO 19 YEAR OLDS ENGINEERS, TECHNICIANS AND INDUSTRIAL INNOVATORS UTC READING | GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS | www.utcreading.org.uk 2 ACTIVATE LEARNING OUR LEARNING 3 EDUCATION TRUST PHILOSOPHY UTC Reading is a member of Activate Learning Education Trust, a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) At UTC Reading, our approach to teaching and learning is driven by a distinctive Learning Philosophy. established by Activate Learning. This philosophy has been developed by members of the Activate Learning group and recognises Activate Learning Education Trust exists to deliver excellence in education and transform lives three essential elements for effective learning: through learning. Our schools to date are UTC Reading, UTC Swindon, UTC Oxfordshire, Bicester Technology Studio and The Bicester School. BRAIN – our brains are capable of incredible things. From the study of neuroscience we know how the As a member of Activate Learning Education Trust, UTC Reading benefits from the following: brain forms networks and how learning takes place when neurons connect. 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 Leadership development that happens across all partner schools MOTIVATION – while our brains may be capable of learning anything, we are only likely to use them if we are motivated to do so. Our approach to learning helps to demonstrate the relevance and impact Sharing of resources without any barriers of new skills and knowledge so that students maintain motivation. Shared contracts across the group, reducing costs EMOTIONS – the biggest barrier to Having a greater ‘clout’ across the whole group’s community effective learning is our emotional response. Learning involves taking risks and students must feel safe, secure and confident to do this. At UTC Reading, this philosophy translates into an educational experience which offers: Activate Learning Education Trust’s core purpose is to deliver excellent teaching, learning and assessment and opportunities to test new skills through a high quality learner experience, underpinned by high practical, real-world projects expectations and fostering high aspirations for all. experiences of work which demonstrate UTC Reading provides a high quality technical the relevance and impact of knowledge education, co-created with employers, giving students a focus on developing independent a clear line of sight to work. Through the learning learning skills, communication and philosophy, students are able to fulfil their potential and teamwork develop into positive, motivated, employable young a supportive learning environment which encourages students to take risks and learn from mistakes people when they leave education. Find out more about how our Learning Philosophy is inspiring new approaches to teaching and learning Lee Nicholls throughout this prospectus. Executive Director, Activate Learning CEO, Activate Learning Education Trust UTC READING | GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS | www.utcreading.org.uk 4 5 FIND OUT 1.64 MILLION THE DIGITAL TECH INDUSTRIES ARE CREATING EMPLOYMENT ABOUT UTCs OPPORTUNITIES 2X FASTER THAN THE NON-DIGITAL SECTOR, ACCOUNTING FOR 1.64M JOBS ACROSS THE UK IN 2016. www.utcolleges.org A UTC is different from the average school because it has support and backing 265,000 from local, high-profile industry partners who are involved in the development of the curriculum. Each UTC also has academic partners who help make sure SKILLED ENTRANTS ARE REQUIRED ANNUALLY TO MEET THE that it really can offer students the best of both worlds. DEMAND FOR ENGINEERING ENTERPRISES THROUGH TO 2024. This means you can take advantage of real-world The UK needs advanced technical skills at all levels if based study of a UTC’s specialist subjects while still we are to prosper. Whether in manufacturing, wind taking the GCSEs and A-levels that you would at farms, rail links or high-tech hospitals, we need a school. workforce that can develop new products, stretch and reuse existing resources, and meet the challenges of UTCs are for students aged 14 to 18, as this is the age the future. UTCs are meeting the needs of the skills when you’ll have a better idea of what you are really gap and by 2018 around 30,000 students will be able interested in and whether you would enjoy learning in to follow this new technical education pathway. high-tech surroundings. Chaley Gooch, along with other UTC Reading alumni Edward Gilder and George Weller, left UTC Reading in summer 2016 to follow an apprenticeship programme with Prudential, one of UTC Reading’s industry partners. Chaley is employed as an apprentice Web Systems Analyst. “If I hadn’t gone to UTC Reading I don’t think I would be in CASE STUDY this position today. As well as learning the technical skills and helping me to focus on following a programming route, I also built up important professional behaviours. Even simple things like meeting company representatives, shaking hands and introducing yourself; it all helps to prepare you for the next step. CASE STUDY “Leaving the UTC and getting the apprenticeship was a completely linear process. If I hadn’t studied computer science at UTC Reading I would be in over my head, but as it is I have managed to fit into the new working environment really smoothly and I am enjoying learning new skills all the time.” UTC READING | GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS | www.utcreading.org.uk 6 WE WANT TO SHOW EVERY GIRL 7 WOMEN IN IN THIS COUNTRY, AND HER FAMILY, THAT SHE COULD HAVE A TECHNOLOGY WONDERFUL FUTURE IN SCIENCE UTC Reading is an inclusive learning environment. We are committed to AND ENGINEERING. supporting girls who choose to study STEM subjects and build a career in technical industries. We are a member of WISE, a campaign to promote women in science, technology and engineering. UTC Reading joined WISE to support the HRH The Princess Royal, Royal Patron of WISE (WISE annual report 2016) national issue that there are simply not enough women in STEM subjects. As a college specialising in computer science and engineering, it is vital that we bridge the gap and can provide an essential workforce of women into these fields. COMPUTER SCIENCE AND Risha Divyesh, former UTC Reading student ENGINEERING ARE NOT Former UTC Reading students, Risha Divyesh JUST FOR BOYS and Husna Mahmood, both secured a place ONE on the Cisco apprenticeship programme after completing their post-16 studies in 2016. Both Myth: Boys are better at mathematics and science Risha and Husna developed contacts with Cisco than girls. during an employer-led project in the first term of their studies. The project invited the students Reality: Boys and girls are both capable of excelling to design a classroom of the future, including the THIRD in mathematics and science. Research by WISE and latest technology and associated security. Risha the Royal Engineering Academy found that girls said: GIRLS MAKE UP LESS achieve better or equal grades than boys at GCSE in most STEM subjects, and those that choose STEM at “I was involved in setting up the servers and THAN ONE THIRD OF A-levels achieve higher A*-C grades.