UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 12th May 2023
Dear all,
With the formal exams starting next week we want to wish all our year 11 and year 13 students the best of luck. Staff are still on hand for any last-minute revision tips and guidance so please do encourage your students to come and see us if needed. There will be booster classes taking place to support the exams as per previous communications.
Year 11 Exam Equipment
Your student requires a scientific calculator for their science and maths exams. During the course of the PPEs in December and March it was clear that many students did not have the required equipment.
Please can you make sure your student comes to their exams with a scientific calculator, black pens, a ruler, pencils and any specialist maths equipment.
Parent Survey
Please can we remind anyone who hasn’t done so already to complete the Parent Survey by the end of the day on Friday 12th May. Your answers will help us to shape the future of UTC Oxfordshire and we appreciate you taking the time to complete this. Please note that only one survey needs to be completed per household.
Oddballs Foundation
We were pleased to welcome a speaker from the Oddballs Foundation in to school this week to run an assembly. Founded in December 2015 to raise awareness of Testicular Cancer, the foundation hopes to make a difference to male health around the world.
Trip to Dyson insights day
On Wednesday 10th May the Baker Dearing Trust arranged for an insights day for students from 14 UTC's. Students, who are studying A level maths and a STEM subject (Product Design, Engineering, Computer science, physics, chemistry and biology) had to apply and two year 12 students from UTC Oxfordshire were selected to visit Dyson to find out about their degree apprenticeship course. Undergraduates on the Dyson Engineering degree are students for 2 days a week and Engineers 3 days a week working in rotations around different departments within Dyson graduates go onto working full time at Dyson with opportunities all over the world in many different specialism.
Keigan and Eryr were given a tour of the living accommodation 'pods', round house and the sports hanger where the first-year students live. They saw the state-of-the-art lecture rooms and spoke with current undergraduate students about the Dyson Institute Engineering course and what the benefits are or working and studying at Dyson. They were treated to lunch in the round house and did an engineering workshop in teams to build a robot to pick up and move a ball 100mm. Keigan and Eryr's team were awarded the sustainability prize winning a Dyson student cookbook.
Most of the work that takes place in Dyson is top secret and the undergraduates couldn't discuss their work projects with us, but they did say they are working on products that will be launched in the next few years and they were really excited about the work they were doing. Students take on a summer project every summer between academic years which can be a project of their choice. Third year undergraduates are being given an opportunity to work their summer in Singapore where their work projects are then manufactured ready for market.
The teachers were given an insight into the requirements and application process to help support students on their journey.
For more information about the Dyson Institute please speak to Georgina, Keigan or Eryr or visit https://www.dysoninstitute.com/
Quotes from students
Eryr: “The event was very professionally done and Dyson is a very exciting business to go to, they make the opportunity very enticing"
Keigan: “It showed me a world of opportunities, I really want to apply to be a Dyson engineer!”
Geography Fieldworks Trip – Human Fieldwork, Westgate, Oxford
This week our year 11 students visited Westgate in Oxford as part of the preparation for their exams. The exam boards require such visits to embed human and physical geography fieldwork techniques which are then assessed in the exams. The purpose of this weeks visit was to observe the Westgate development and improvements in the urban environment.
Exam Boosters for Business and Geography
To offer extra support for your student during this important time, we are running Booster Sessions for all Y11 students attending GCSE Business and Geography.
These sessions will take place during lunchtime in school as follows:
Geography: Every Wednesday 1:20 – 2:00 in FT 42
Business: Every Wednesday 1:20 – 2:00 in FT 32
Students can bring their packed lunch with them but no hot food is allowed in the classroom.
We would be grateful if you would encourage your student to attend these sessions. Thank you for your continued support.
Thinking about University?
If year 12 students are interested in applying to university this Autumn, then now is a good time to be thinking about visiting one or two universities to find out more about their courses and facilities. This is a link to information for students and parents about all the events at universities in the UK. https://www.unitasterdays.com/
Next term there will be time set aside to support students with their applications and personal statements.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Engineering Apprenticeships
The Engineering Trust are currently advertising a wide range of engineering apprenticeships in Oxfordshire with companies like FMB Oxford, Viridor, Oxford Instruments, Chiltern Railways, Zircotec, ICE Oxford, Paintbox Banbury, SI Pumps and Barrus.
https://apply.theengineeringtrust.org/#/vacanciesSTEM Insight Weeks
Science Oxford STEM Insight Weeks aim to inspire year 10 students to pursue further education and STEM careers.
Run during half terms, they are aimed at providing the skills needed during higher education and the broader world of work, whether this is writing an up-to-date and engaging CV, how to find out about particular jobs and methods of work to suit individual students, or even mindfulness and stress management.
The next Insight week will run from 30th May to 2 June 2023. You can find out more here: May half-term STEM Insight Week
Virtual Insight Event with RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Thursday 25th May, 18:00 – 19:00
Students can find out more about what this career could look like, what it involves and how to take the next steps. RTPI are running another Work Experience programme in the summer too which they will be talking about including, how to apply and tips on applications for students. Find out more here: Virtual Insight Event with RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute)
Oxford Physics events: May 2023
25th Hintze Lecture: Professor Matthew Colless presents "What we do and don’t know about the Universe (and how we know it)” (in person and online)
Date and time: Wed 17 May, 5pm – 6pm
Venue: Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, Department of Physics and online
Audience: Some background knowledge of physics required, age 14+ years only.
Description: This talk will give an overview of the key facts we now know about the Universe - its size, age, constituents, origin, history and future - and explain how we have come to know these things through observations mapping the cosmic microwave background radiation from the Big Bang and the evolving 'cosmic web' of galaxy positions and velocities. More information and booking: Free event, booking required for online participation. Please see our events page for more information and booking.
62 CHERWELL-SIMON MEMORIAL LECTURE: THE MAGIC OF MOIRÉ QUANTUM MATTER (in person)
Date and time: Fri 19 May 2023, 4:30pm
Venue: Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, Department of Physics
Audience: Some background knowledge of physics required, age 14+ years only.
Details: Prof Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will review some of the recent advances in the field of understanding of strongly-interacting quantum matter, focusing on the newest generation of moiré quantum systems, where correlated physics, superconductivity, and other fascinating phases can be studied with unprecedented tunability.
More information and booking: Free, booking required. Please see our events page for more information and booking
UK Summer School Vacancies at Oxford Royale
Oxford Royale have some vacancies for paid Counsellors for Oxford Royale's summer school courses. Please see more information here: UK Summer School Vacancies
6th Form Work Opportunity
Bright Sparks are running holiday camps in Oxfordshire and Berkshire and have employment opportunities for 16+ students working with primary aged children bringing science to life. More information can be found here: Bright Sparks Events Recruitment
Ever thought of being a governor?
Becoming a school governor is an invaluable role, contributing to “transforming lives through learning” of all Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET) learners. This is an extremely rewarding opportunity to make a difference and give something back to the local community. Becoming an ALET governor will allow you to use and develop your skills in a board-level environment. You would also be joining the largest volunteer network force in the country, with over a quarter of a million volunteers governing state funded schools in England.
To become a governor, you must be aged over 18 and have the necessary skills, attributes, and time to positively impact our learners. You do not necessarily need an understanding of education systems to be successful in this role as plenty of training and support is available and school governance benefits from a range of backgrounds such as from business, HR, legal, marketing and property. Our schools and University Technical Colleges in Theale, Bicester, Reading, Didcot, Swindon and Hillingdon need the benefit from a wide range of professional knowledge to provide a balanced and diverse range of knowledge, skill, and experience to be effective. As noted by Ofsted – the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management, which includes the governing body.
Should you wish to discuss what this role entails in more detail, please contact Heledd Walker, Head of Governance and Compliance via email Clerk@alet.org.uk.
Elements Café
Westmill Open Day
Westmill sustainable energy trust are hosting an Open Day this summer on Saturday 10th June from 1:30pm. This is to be a fun day for all the family celebrating community energy and how you can make a difference.
To celebrate community-owned energy, there will be a schedule of presentations and workshops for visitors together with a range of engaging activities for all ages. You’ll also have a chance to experience on-site tours. Plus, there’ll also be live music, food and refreshments and much more!
Find out more on their website: https://www.weset.org/visit/specialevents/
Dates for the diary
- Monday 15th May up to and including Wednesday 28th June 2023 - Year 11 and Year 13 Exam Period
- Thursday 17th August – A level results
- Thursday 24th August - GCSE results
Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- Summer Term 1: Wednesday 19 April 2023 – Friday 26 May 2023
- Summer Term 2: Monday 5 June 2023 – Friday 21 July 2023
Enjoy your weekend
Stay safe
Best wishes
Emma