UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 28th January 2022
Dear all,
Another week at UTC Oxfordshire sees Year 10 and Year 12 completing mid-year assessments. For some students this is a stressful time, however, by providing the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and the ability to answer exam style questions, students will become better equipped to handle the emotions and pressures ready for the external exams at the end of their courses. This is an opportunity for us all to find the knowledge gaps. Working our way through the papers with the students and the mark scheme is learning in itself. The pastoral team have been supporting students throughout this time and I am sure that you are appreciative of their support.
Data Privacy Day
Data Privacy Day on January 28th reminds us each year to review how our data is used. It’s an excellent opportunity to take stock and evaluate our personal cybersecurity.
Our personal data is collected and used through a variety of media and for numerous reasons. Part of the problem is most of the time, the people who have access to our data, don’t need it. Additionally, it gets redistributed legally and illegally. Thanks to the internet, massive amounts of personal data can be easily distributed. While the information may be out there due to our own carelessness or privacy violations, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
- On any new device, set your privacy settings immediately. This includes new applications, social media, and programs.
- Never use unsecured WiFi – especially for banking or shopping.
- Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. When you spot anything questionable, contact the organisation to stop payment on the purchase and cancel your card. In the same vein, check your credit report at least annually.
- Keep your software up to date. Out-of-date software is vulnerable to hackers.
- Never give personal information over the phone, email, or text.
- Stop taking online quizzes that ask random questions about your childhood, children, tattoos, marriages, pets, and favourite foods. Each time you take one of these, people trying to access your data gather a little bit more information about you that allows them to steal your data or identity.
- Use strong password phrases. The longer the password, the harder it is to break.
- Do not save your passwords on your device.
- Change passwords when your accounts may have been compromised
- Use virus protection and a firewall.
HOW TO OBSERVE #DataPrivacyDay
- Take steps to secure your digital devices.
- Commit to learning how to protect yourself.
- Maintain tech-savvy practices that protect you.
- Share your tips, tricks, and experiences with others.
If you are interested in studying cyber security, then the following link gives the top 10 UK universities approved by GCHQ:
Covid update
Apologies, our lateral flow form has now been updated, please use the following link: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/lfd-result-form
Please continue to test twice weekly and record the information on the form above and on the government website: Report a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Despite the recommendation that face coverings are no longer required in the building, we continue to be vigilant and are encouraging the use of hand sanitiser and cleaning of desks with anti-bac/viral spray. If your student has any of the covid symptoms, then please do not send them to school and report this to attendance@utcoxfordshire.org.uk
The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you normally have a cough, it may be worse than usual
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
Where are they now?
We always enjoy hearing about how students are moving forward with their careers. We have recently been in contact with ex UTC Oxfordshire student, Will Smith, who completed a BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering and A level Maths in 2020. Will wrote to update us on what he is doing now:
"I’m at the University of Liverpool studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Year in Industry. My course so far has covered topics such as electrical circuit theory, digital and integrated electronic design, advanced maths for engineers and introductions to programming in C, which has led me onto developing iOS apps in my spare time. Between second and third year I am taking a year out to work in an engineering related company on a full salary, which for a student is a happy bonus. I have applied to companies like IBM, STFC in Warrington and Sellafield Ltd in Cumbria. I have secured the placement at Sellafield as an Electrical Design Engineer and will be spending the year designing electrical systems and devices to help complete tasks, many of which currently focus on decommissioning a nuclear power plant in Cumbria. If I am successful with the STFC application and choose to go ahead with that, I will be working as a Beam Diagnostics Engineer, developing electronic devices that can be used to configure beam lines and collect the results of experiments.
After this year out, I’ll return to uni to complete my final year, in which I hope to specialise in Embedded Systems and Application Development in C++. Another option that is open to me is to add an additional year and study a master’s degree in computer science and software development, which I am considering. It has certainly been a challenge so far but I’m really enjoying what I’m studying and the opportunities it has given me for future careers."
Opportunities
Apprenticeship update:
Many local apprenticeships are closing soon:
- Williams F1 (4 apprenticeships) closing 4th Feb
- UKAEA level 3 (10 apprenticeships) closing 18th Feb
- UKAEA degree apprenticeships (4) closing 20th Feb
- BMW degree apprenticeship control (5) closing 20th Feb
- BMW business degree apprenticeship closing 20th Feb
- BMW level 4 higher apprenticeship data analysis closing 20th Feb
- BMW maintenance technician closing 20th Feb
- Diamond Light Source Mechatronics (4) closing 28th Feb
- Xtrac Engineering (5) closing 11th March.
Details for all of these can be found on the secure section of our website: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/opportunities/ the password to access this section is UTCOpps2022
Young Professionals are hosting an insight evening with one of the most recognisable and popular retail brands across the globe, M&S. On Tuesday 1st February from 5:00pm - 6:00pm they’ll be getting an insight into one of the UK’s largest multinational retail operations as they take us through the running of their multibillion-pound business.
M&S are a unique retailer delivering top quality food, clothing, home products and financial services. They employ over 80,000 people who serve over 32 million customers. The company has been investing heavily in digital marketing and now M&S have a presence in online marketplaces in more than 100 countries.
They have some fantastic opportunities to share with students who might be considering a more hands-on approach once they leave school by giving them the opportunity to join the M&S Business Retail Management programme. The whole programme is designed to train students leaving school to one day run and manage their very own M&S store, responsible for generating millions of pounds in revenue each year! It's an exciting opportunity for someone to have, especially at a school leaver level!
During the event students will find out more about this programme as well as having a mini business workshop focused on the Environment & Sustainability which is at the core of everything M&S do.
If you’d like to hear more about M&S and their opportunities and are in school or college, then click on the link below to register for the online event!
Registration Link:https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MandS-Business-Event
UCAS
The University application process with UCAS deadline has passed.
The graphic below shows the course our current students have applied to:
Keeping In Touch
We are always trying to improve our communication and do our best to respond within two working days.
We have a new email address for the sixth form sixthformadmin@utcoxfordshire.org.uk. Please use this for sixth form queries in the first instance.
Absence, both planned and unplanned, for ALL year groups should still be reported to attendance@utcoxfordshire.org.uk.
For general enquiries, please continue to contact admin@utcoxfordshire.org.uk. Thank you.
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, twitter and Instagram
Dates for the diary
- 16th May to 28th June – A level/Level 3 exam period - please note that BTEC Level 3 coursework may still be required after this end date
- 16th May to 28th June – GCSE exam period. Please note students will not be able to finish school until after 28th June.
- Thursday 18th August – A level results day
- Thursday 25th August - GCSE results day
Term dates for 2021 to 2022
- 21st to 25th February is half term
- Monday 28th February INSET, no school for students
- Friday 8th April - end of Term 4
- 25th and 26th April INSET, no school for students
- Wednesday 27th April - start of Term 5
- Monday 2nd May is a Bank Holiday
- Half term is 30th May to 3rd June 2022
- Monday 6th June - start of Term 6
- The last day of term is Wednesday 20th July 2022
Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- Autumn Term 1: Friday 2 September 2022 (years 10 and 12 only) to Wednesday 19 October 2022. Whole school in attendance from Monday 5 September 2022
- Autumn Term 2: Monday 31 October 2022 – Friday 16 December 2022
- Spring Term 1: Thursday 5 January 2023 – Friday 10 February 2023
- Spring Term 2: Monday 20 February 2023 – Friday 31 March 2023
- Summer Term 1: Wednesday 19 April 2023 – Friday 26 May 2023
- Summer Term 2: Monday 5 June 2023 – Friday 21 July 2023
Further details can be found on our website: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/term-dates/
Final opportunity
It's time to Big Garden Birdwatch. It’s fun, free and everyone can take part!
Big Garden Birdwatch long weekend is here! There's still time to sign-up and take part. Just spend one hour between Friday 28 and Saturday 30 January counting the birds.
Stay safe and enjoy the bird counting
With good wishes
Sam