What is a UTC?
UTC stands for University Technical College and is an innovative new approach to learning for 11-19 year olds that offers specialist programmes alongside a core curriculum.
A UTC is different from an average school because it has support and backing from the local business community and has high profile industry partners involved in the development of the curriculum. One or more universities are involved to make sure that the UTC really can offer students the best of both worlds.
They are for students aged 11 to 19, as this is the age when they’ll have a better idea of what they are really interested in and whether they would enjoy learning in high-tech surroundings. At 11, students are likely to be ready to study in a real-world environment, where they can gain the practical experience and develop the skills that would lead them into work or university.
GPUTC is associated with The Baker Dearing Educational Trust and UTColleges which promotes this new model of technical schooling. The work of technicians and other highly skilled vocationally qualified people is vital to our economy.
We have the support of the government and the commitment from universities and employers who are working in 45 locations across the country to open UTCs.
Through their association with employers and universities and through a focus on technical subjects, UTCs bridge the gap between the world of education and the world of work. Today, 48 UTCs are open across England, educating c.16,000 students, and supported by more than 400 employers and universities.
UTC’ness‘
The UTC model is licensed by Baker Dearing, and UTCs sign up to a charter setting out the expectations for their unique character and educational contribution. There are a number of characteristics which help define this special ‘UTCness’.
Technical qualifications
UTCs offer high quality English, Maths and Science like other schools, but also provide sought-after technical qualifications in their chosen specialisms
Destination-focused
Through strong employer and university engagement, UTCs enable young people to make an informed choice about their career pathways after they finish school.
Project-based learning
Learning is taught in the context of industry with employer and university partners contributing to curriculum design, content and delivery. Students are set real life projects which require them to apply and extend their technical knowledge.
Professional work environment
UTCs run a longer working day, with professional dress codes and behaviour expectations that mimic the workplace of the employers our students are preparing to join.
High quality work experience
Students build on the job skills and a network of contacts in their preferred businesses
Work-ready
UTC students develop all the skills and attributes required for progression into a productive technical career, such as: curiosity and imagination; enquiry and analysis; problem-solving and resilience; creativity and ingenuity; self-management and organisation; teamwork and collaboration; synthesis and presentation skills; confidence with technology and digital skills; emotional intelligence.
Cutting edge technology
UTCs are newly built schools and offer industry-standard equipment. They are supported by industry partners to ensure the curriculum offered, and equipment used, remains relevant to the needs of employers.
As a UTC, we are not subject to the Progress 8 or English Baccalaureate, but all students do study the core subjects and gain a focused engineering education that is not available at any other school in the Greater Peterborough area.
Employability Skills
GPUTC students develop key technical skills within STEM and also the employability skills required by today’s employers. When students leave GPUTC, they are “work-ready” and as a result, they are the employees and students of choice for employers, universities, colleges and other providers. These skills have been identified in collaboration with the Skills Builder Partnership (https://www.skillsbuilder.org/).
The core skills in question are seen below.
