UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter - 24th June 2022
As we are coming close to the end of term, we are delighted to announce some changes to the staffing structure at UTC Oxfordshire, effective from September. Sam will take up the role of Executive Principal at UTC Oxfordshire and UTC Swindon. This is a strategic role, bringing the opportunity to develop relationships and procedures that can benefit both schools.
Emma Reynolds has taken on a new role as Head of School for UTC Oxfordshire. Working closely with Sam, Emma will be the most senior leader on school site on a day-to-day basis. These two new roles will help UTC Oxfordshire develop and plan for the future.
Stay aware, stay safe, stay together: Tom's campaign
We have been asked to share the link below regarding a campaign that provides practical information for young people planning their first independent trip following the death of a young man in Spain.
St David’s Catholic College in Cardiff has produced some resources aimed at learners aged 16-18 years in conjunction with the parents of a student, Tom Channon, who tragically died whilst on holiday in 2018 after finishing his ‘A’ Levels.
It is hoped that the initiative will help to increase young people’s awareness of the need to prepare before going on holiday abroad, especially the first one without their families, and to better understand how to keep safe and avoid dangerous situations.
Results Day
A level results day is Thursday 18th August and GCSE results day is Thursday 25th August. Further details will be sent to you shortly. If students are not able to come and collect their results, they need to give permission via email (sloveland@utcoxfordshire.org.uk) for someone else named to collect and that person needs to bring ID please.
If students would like their results e-mailed to them they should request this in advance and please note that results can only be sent to their school email address.
Chromebook Return
Year 13 and Year 11 students who are not returning for 6th form in September will need to return their Chromebook to us after their last exam and before the end of term (20th July). We have allocated Thursday 30th June if your student would like to come in that day to return their device and empty their locker. Chromebooks should be returned in the same state they were in when they were issued, complete with charger. Devices will be checked for damage etc and your deposit will be refunded, minus any costs, when we return after the summer break.
Branded Clothing Donations
If your student is leaving at the end of this term and they have a lab coat or PE top that they no longer need, we would welcome them to be donated back to school so that they can be used for students who are not in a position to buy the items brand new or to be used as spares when students forget theirs, meaning they can continue with their studies rather than having to miss lessons.
UTC Sports Day
We have been busy working alongside UTC Swindon to organise a fun-filled and jam packed sports day, which will be hosted at the Foundation Park, County Ground in Swindon on Monday 18th July. Their amazing facilities are going to allow our students to show off and compete against UTC Swindon in all areas of athletics. More information will follow shortly to the parents/guardians of both the Y12 and Y10 students who have shown an interest in taking part in sports day. Our student leadership team have chosen to use the event to fundraise and support the British Heart Foundation. If you would also like to show your support by donating to the British Heart Foundation than please follow the link below, all donations would be greatly apricated. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/UTC-OxfordshireSwindon
Opportunities
Engineering Open House
Engineering Open House Day is taking place this year on Friday, 29 July 2022 and is all about highlighting the important roles that engineers play in everyday life, with well-known venues and organisations across the UK demonstrating the creativity and excitement behind engineering careers. Take a look at who’s taking part and sign up for an event today: https://www.engineer-a-better-world.org/
Structural Engineering Summer Course (Residential)
This course gives a flavour of the daily life of a structural engineer via team activities on how to manage an engineering project. This course is for Year 12. More details can be found here: Structural Engineering Course
Future Railway Engineering Summer Course (Virtual)
Students on this course will work in teams to build and crash a scale-model train, testing how their design responds to stress and learning what it takes to be a rail safety engineer. This course is for Years 11/12. Using your smartphone, you will record the crash and analyse the footage to see how your design protects passengers. This course combines fun, interactive learning online with access to leading academics from the University of Birmingham, and the chance to learn more about a career in engineering. Future Railway Engineering Summer Course
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 by 30th June 2022.
Exam Invigilator Opportunities
We are always open to applications to be an exam invigilator so if this interests you, or you know someone who it might suit, please ask them to visit our staff vacancies page of our website for more information: www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/about-us/joinourteam
Elements Café
Dates for the diary
- On-going until Tuesday 28th June – GCSE/A level/Level 3 exam period - A reminder that BTEC Level 3 coursework may still be required after this end date. Please note students will not be able to finish school until after 28th June.
- Monday 27th June to Friday 1st July – end of year exams for Years 10 and 12.
- Monday 27th June - Year 13 Leavers Celebration at The Garden House Venue.
- Thursday 30th June - Year 11 prom at Milton Mill House. Dinner and disco included!
- Monday 11th July 2022 to Friday 15th July New York Science, Engineering and Business Trip
- Monday 11th July – Year 10 Product Design visit to the V&A Museum, London
- Monday 11th July – Green Futures Conference, Hill End Centre Oxford
- Wednesday 13th July - Year 10 and Year 12 ELP Trip to BMW
- Monday 18th July – UTC Oxfordshire vs UTC Swindon Sports Day
- Thursday 18th August – A level results day
- Thursday 25th August - GCSE results day.
Remaining Term dates for 2022
- Wednesday 20th July 2022 - last day of term, lunch time finish
Have a good weekend
Stay safe
With good wishes
Sam