UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 15th October 2021
Dear all,
We've had another fabulous week at UTC Oxfordshire, with our first Progress Consultation Evening of the year taking place virtually on Wednesday. The feedback we have had is that this is preferable to sitting and queuing for appointments, so thank you all for embracing the technology. The consultation evening for year 10 is next week and school will finish at 15:00hrs to accommodate this.
The Baker Award
UTC students have the opportunity to try for bronze, silver or gold levels of the Baker Award for Technical Education, which recognises the additional employability skills gained by following a UTC curriculum. To reach the gold standard, students need to pass 3 A levels (or an Extended Diploma) in STEM subjects, carry out 2 weeks of work experience, complete two employability projects and pass an internal interview. Normally an external interview is also required, although this was not mandatory in 2020-2021 because of covid restrictions.
This year 19 students from UTC Oxfordshire reached the gold standard and will soon receive their certificate, a letter from Lord Baker and a gold UTC 'hand' badge. These would usually be presented by Lord Baker in person but, again, because of covid restrictions, a small number of outstanding students will be invited to the House of Lords Tea Party in December. We have not yet heard which of our students will be selected for this honour.
One of this year's gold award students, Oliver Barnby said "Taking part in the employer led projects has given me a practical insight into how engineering works within business. It was a hands-on way to progress the engineering learning I had gained in the classroom. It very enjoyable and has been instrumental in me gaining my place at university. It has enabled me to show, through my written application, that I have more than just classroom-based experience and learning. Through this experience I can now build on useful skills like problem solving, working together, design and presenting to employers. The life skills I have gained through a range of work experience placements will stay with me for the rest of my career. Having completed an Extended Diploma in Engineering and completed my private pilot's licence, I am now enjoying studying aerospace engineering at Nottingham University and hope to join the RAF in the future."
The Royal Institute of Science
The Royal Institute of Science have a variety of events in their theatre as well as online. For more information, see the full programme here: What's on | The Royal Institution: Science Lives Here (rigb.org)
Contacting Us
Student absences - If your student is not going to be in, please email Attendance@utcoxfordshire.org.uk, or select the appropriate option when phoning in, this includes Covid related absences.
Student specific queries or issues – please direct these to your student’s tutor in the first instance. Email addresses are configured First initial Surname @utcoxfordshire.org.uk e.g. John Smith would be jsmith@utcoxfordshire.org.uk.
General enquiries – Please email admin@utcoxfordshire.org.uk or call 01235 391587.
We always aim to respond to you as soon as we can, and usually manage to do this within two working days of hearing from you. If your enquiry is urgent, please make us aware of this.
Thank you for your support during the first months of this academic year. We are sure that you will appreciate we have a number of new staff, including those in senior roles who also have a heavy teaching commitment.
Governor vacancy
We have an opening for a Parent Governor to join our governing body. If you are interested in finding out more about how this position helps to support the school, please contact clerk@alet.org.uk
Covid Update
As we approach half term the number of positive Covid cases is beginning to creep up. To help keep our community safe, students and staff should continue to do their lateral flow tests twice weekly using the kits provided and record results on the forms shown below. Additional testing kits can be collected from Reception. We are focusing on hand sanitation and cleaning desks using the recommended products. Students and staff should not attend school if they have Covid symptoms and, if in any doubt, then please book a PCR test.
Please ensure you record your results on both the government site: Report a Lateral Flow Test and the school form: Covid Test Result Form
Elements Café
Dates for the diary
- Wednesday 20th October, 16.15 to 19.30 Year 10 Virtual Progress Consultation Evening - 3pm finish
- Wednesday 3rd November, 16.15 to 19.30 Year 13 Virtual Progress Consultation Evening - 3pm finish
- Wednesday 10th November, 16.15 to 19.30 Year 11 Virtual Progress Consultation Evening - 3pm finish
Thursday 18th November 6th Form Open Evening and Careers Fair in school,17.00 to 19.00
Term dates for 2021 to 2022
- Last day of term Friday 22nd October 2021
- Half Term is 25th to 29th October 2021
- Term 2 is Monday 1st November to Friday 17th December 2021
- Christmas break is 20th December to 31st December 2021
- Spring Term starts on Thursday 6th January
Further information can be found our website here: www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/term-dates/
Stay safe
With good wishes
Sam