UTC Sheffield City Centre has been graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in its latest inspection, according to a report published today – March 16th 2020.
As one of the top performing institutions of its kind nationally, the flagship UTC recruits young people, aged 13 to 19, from across Sheffield City Region.
Ofsted has praised leaders and governors at the specialist technical school, on Matilda Street, for providing a well thought through curriculum where students benefit from close work-based links with a wide range of prestigious local employers.
Safeguarding is effective, the quality of teaching is strong and the standard of behavior is good, the education watchdog has confirmed. Visit https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/139695
Ofsted assessed five key areas:
- The quality of education – good
- Behaviour and attitudes – good
- Personal development – good
- Leadership and management – good
- Sixth-form (post 16) provision – good
At the UTC, students complete technical qualifications in engineering and advanced manufacturing or creative and digital media, and GCSE and A Levels. They work on employer-led projects, developing skills related to their subject specialism as well as team working and problem solving.
The latest statistics show that 100% of students progressed onto university, employment or further training last year including high quality apprenticeships with employers such as Jaguar Land Rover, Boeing, British Aerospace and Amazon.
Alex Reynolds, Principal, UTC Sheffield City Centre, said: “To gain such positive recognition from Ofsted is hugely rewarding for everyone involved with the UTC. Our top priority is developing the next generation of engineers and creatives so desperately needed by local and national employers.”
He added: “We are really proud of our students and our staff, and their commitment to striving for technical excellence, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum that offers a high quality learning experience backed by employers.”
UTC Sheffield City Centre was the first UTC to open in Yorkshire and the Humber in 2013 and was previously graded Ofsted ‘good’ in 2016.
Sheffield is the only city outside of London to have two UTCs. UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, which specialises in computing, health sciences or sport science, was also graded ‘good’ in 2019.
The UTC is equipped with cutting edge industry standard facilities. Employers supporting the UTC include AES Seal, Bauer Media Group, Fernite, Festo, Finger Industries, Henry Boot Construction, Hive, Inspec Solutions, Lavender International, Rolls-Royce, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Live, the University of Sheffield, Siemens and Sumo Digital.
Dan Fleetcroft is Technical Director of Performance Engineered Solutions (PES) Ltd based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Catcliffe. The company delivers engineering solutions to multiple industries with a specialisation in advanced materials and manufacturing technologies combined with innovative design and 3D data capture. PES’s projects include research and product development and optimisation in the aerospace, motorsport, automotive, medical, renewable energy and sports and consumer goods sectors.
Dan, who is also Chair of Governors at UTC Sheffield City Centre, said: “The UTC offers young people a great opportunity to develop the high level technical skills that the engineering and creative and digital media industries need. Employers can see those benefits and the real advantages for them in the future, which is why so many local, national and international businesses form an integral part of the curriculum.”
He added: “As an employer partner, I have been involved in the development of the UTC from the start and I am honoured to be the Chair of Governors. The Ofsted grading is a fantastic endorsement of the UTC, which has stood the test of time and is becoming a beacon for technical skills development in the country. I am immensely proud of the continued hard work and commitment of the students, staff and governors who have made this achievement possible.”
Richard Wright MBE, Chair of The Sheffield UTC Academy Trust, added: “Nearly 10 years ago Sheffield made a large commitment by opening the UTC to develop high quality vocational based education routes right through to degree level. This latest grading is a real measure of the commitment and dedication of the staff, students, partners and employers over a long period, and the benefit to the whole of the region is immense.”
He added: “During its time, the UTC has never produced a NEET – all its students have gone on to positive destinations no matter what background they have come from and feedback from employers on the quality of the students entering their employment from the UTC is tremendous. I am very proud of what we have achieved, and so should everybody involved be.”
UTCs are government funded technical schools that provide academic and technical qualifications to match the skills needs of regional employers, supporting economic growth and employment. Young people can join the UTC in Year 9 at the age of 13 or in Year 12 at the age of 16. Some places are still available for this September. Apply now at www.utcsheffield.org.uk
