UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 14th May 2021
Dear all
We have had an exciting week with some of our computer students getting through to the final of the Raspberry Pi competition that we mentioned last week. Today they have been putting together a short video on their project which will form part of the judging of the finalists. If you would like to see more about this competition please access the link PA Raspberry Pi 2021 Competition | PA Consulting
Congratulations to year 13 engineering student Joe Howard who has just secured a level 4 apprenticeship with the Mercedes racing team, where he will work as a mechanical engineer (build technician) with the F1, Formula E and project ONE teams. The 42 month apprenticeship was highly competitive; Joe was one of two students offered the role from over 2000 applications.
Joe said of his achievement, "My sixth form experience has been very different from a lot of others. I joined UTC Oxfordshire because of my love of engineering and special interest in cars. Taking the level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering has taught me engineering theory and some practical skills, but the main two things that helped me to stand out from the other candidates were my two month's work experience at Williams F1 and the employer led projects I have done with Mini-BMW. In my final interview I gave a presentation about the employability skills I learnt through two challenge projects set by Mini and the panel asked several probing questions about these projects. Working at Williams F1 for two months taught me so much about the industry and I would never have secured this apprenticeship without the opportunities offered by the UTC."
Joe starts his apprenticeship in September and will study part time for an HNC alongside working with world class engineers. We wish him well.
Parent App
We apologise if you are having trouble with the parent app to view documents. There has been an update in Cloud School and if you are having an issue then deleting and downloading the app again seems to work. If you are still having issues, please would you contact us on admin@utcoxfordshire.org.uk
Covid-19 update
On Monday 10th May, the Prime Minister announced that the country will move to Step 3 of the roadmap on Monday 17 May. Essentially this means for us in school, students and staff no longer need to wear face coverings in classrooms. We will still need to wear coverings when moving around the building and we will still need to maintain our social distancing, hand sanitising and clean down routines at the end of lessons. We will continue to maintain the year group bubbles. This announcement means that during exams and year group assemblies in the hall face coverings can be removed.
We still need to continue with our twice weekly lateral flow testing and request that you continue to record these on our school spreadsheet and government website
UTC Oxfordshire » Lateral Flow Video Guides and Reporting Results
We continue to be part of the University of Oxford daily test trial. if you haven't given permission for this yet please do so here DAILY CONTACT TESTING STUDY INTERVENTION GROUP CONSENT FORM
Assessments for year 11 and year 13
The two-week assessment window has arrived for students in years 11 and 13. These assessments will help to formulate the final teacher assessed grades for this year's qualifications. All students have a timetable of when these assessments are taking place. If students have both a morning and an afternoon assessment there will be two classrooms available for silent study and the café will be open alongside the outdoor space. Students will not be allowed offsite between the assessments unless parental permission has been given for them to go home. Please complete the form below to give permission.
Offsite parental permission between assessments
You can find the policy for the Teacher Assessed grades here Centre Policy for determining teacher assessed grades in Summer 2021. The policy can also be found on our website
The DfE have published a guide for students Student guide to awarding: summer 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Post Assessments
Although the formal assessments for years 11 and 13 will finish on Friday 28th May we have some arrangements for these year groups post half term
Year 13
- 7th - 10th June vocational students should be in school to complete assignments and assessments as directed by their subject teachers
- 11th June will be the Y13 Leavers Day which will consist of a Leavers assembly, Sports day events/challenges (weather permitting), a leavers lunch and Photo's. Times to be confirmed by Lynn.
Year 11
- 7th June functional skills exams for selected students
- 8th June Cadbury’s world trip, approximate price £35. Fine details and consent forms to follow from Luke
- 9th -10th June functional skills exams for selected students
- 11th June Thorpe park trip, approximate Price £35. Fine details and consent forms to follow from Luke
- 14th-17th June students available for top up assessments if more evidence is required, but majority of students will be off site.
18th June Last day celebrations
All year 11 students on site 12:30-4pm.
Events to include; Music, Shirt signing. photos and memories and Final assembly
Events
WISE are running an online My Skills My Life session aimed at girls ages 11-19, showcasing fantastic role models currently working in STEM!
Book your place here
Elements café
Despite the weather the pop-up Pizza last week was hugely successful. Please see the menu for next week
Dates for the diary
w/c 17th May and w/c 24th May
- Summative Assessments under formal exam conditions for year 11 and year 13.
- Students will be given clear guidance and a timetable on what will be tested to ensure that the final grades submitted will have sufficient evidence to back them up.
Looking further ahead
- 31st May to 4th June - Half term
- Monday 7th June term starts for year 10 and year 12. A programme of events will be published for year 13 and year 11
- Friday 11th June Last official day for year 13
- Friday 18th June last official day for year 11
- Wednesday 21st July - Summer break (finish lunchtime)
- Tuesday 10th August - A-level results (onsite)
- Thursday 12th August - GCSE Results (onsite)
Have a great weekend
Stay safe
With good wishes
Sam