UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 20th January 2023
Dear all,
We’ve had a good week in school with a very successful day on Tuesday of enrichment activities focussing on safe behaviours and staying safe. The day included a visit from K9 dogs, looking at the use of dogs to support with drug searches, the carrying of drugs and the legal proceedings surrounding this. We also had ‘Magistrates in the Community’ running workshops focused on the British legal system and how it operates. A number of students also had the opportunity to meet with a reformed prisoner from Huntercombe who talked about his experience of prison and what led to him being there. It was an incredibly valuable day for all of our students.
Congratulations
Big congratulations to the year 13 Extended Diploma Engineering students who have completed their unit 6 Microcontrollers exam. This is a huge assessment and the exam invigilator said the students were wonderful. We are really proud of how hard you have worked for this unit.
The Chemistry of Snow and Ice
With the cold snap coming back just as we thought the weather was turning, we thought you might be interested in the chemistry of Snow and Ice.
Industrial Action
As you may have seen and heard in the press there has been support for legitimate Industrial Action supporting education from some of the Unions. We recognise that this will have some impact on students education. We are working hard to ensure that the impact is minimal for our students but wanted to inform you of the proposed days for these. At this time we are working on plans to ensure minimal disruption and will communicate to you our plans in due course.
We anticipate strike days to affect us on Feb 1st, March 2nd, March 15th and March 16th
Attendance
We are still seeing a high level of absence due to illness and whilst we appreciate that this may be as a result of more seasonal infections, we would like your support to enable students to manage their symptoms by using paracetamol (which can be carried in their bag) and other over the counter medicines. It is well known that symptoms are worse first thing in the morning and in the evening, so please encourage your student to attend if they are well enough.
If students are suffering from a fever or are acutely unwell then they should remain at home but please do send them in once they are in the recovery phase.
We also notice a high level of stomach upsets and sickness bugs – if your student is suffering from this frequently, please seek medical advice to rule out an underlying condition.
Your student’s Head of Year, tutor or I will be in touch with you about frequent absence due to illness. A referral to the School Health Nurse may be considered. Thank you for your support - Paula Ramsbottom, Attendance Officer
Well done to Davi, Scarlett, Lev, Alexandra and Oliver in year 10 for most improved attendance.
This time of year we see an increase in coughs and colds. Please remind students of the ‘Catch it. Bin it. Kill it’ motto so that we can help protect everyone. As a school we are still providing hand sanitiser and encouraging students to use it.
Footcare
It has been noted that there are an increasing number of students with ingrown toenails necessitating absence due to pain and corrective surgery/recovery and the wearing of trainers rather than school shoes. Please see the guidance from the School Health Nurse regarding foot care: Foot Care Advice
Applications for September 2023
We have sent our first round of offers out to all of our year 10 applications and have invited our year 12 applicants to an admission meeting so that we can discuss course choices in further detail before sending out personalised offers.
There is still time to apply for either year group, please visit our website to complete the form: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/join-us/
The Baker Award for Technical Education
We were delighted to receive prestigious Gold Award certificates this week for five students. Tobias, Silas, Oliver, Alex and Alex W all completed the academic qualifications, the two challenge projects and the work experience components of this award, despite the difficulties posed by covid. The certificate is accompanied by an 'Intelligent Hand' badge and a letter from Lord Baker.
Having completed their sixth form studies last summer, Alex W and Tobias are now working as apprentices in engineering and studying part time, while Silas, Oliver and Alex are studying full time at university.
Further details about the Baker Award can be found here.
Careers Advice - Drop in Lunch time sessions
Is your student stuck or not sure what to do next? We are running drop in sessions on a Monday and Thursday lunch time in FT37 for some careers support.
Areas we can cover include:
- Completing Applications
- CV writing
- Interview tips
- Work Experience
- Apprentices
- YourGamePlan
- What to do next
- What do I need to get in my GCSE's - Post 16 plan
Please do encourage your students to drop in.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
As we approach National apprenticeship week, some local firms are running open events:
Wed 25 Jan 2023 | 18:00-19:00
Virtual Insight Event with GSK
https://pathwayctm.com/event/virtual-insight-event-with-gsk/
Thur 26 Jan 2023 | 17.30 - 18:30
Diamond Light Source virtual open evening to discover engineering technician apprentices.
https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Events/2022/Apprenticeship-Open-Evening-26-Jan.html
Fri 27 Jan 2023 | 10:00-15:00
Deutsche Bank in Person Taster Day – Canary Wharf, London https://pathwayctm.com/event/deutsche-bank-taster-day/
Fri 27 Jan 2023 | 18:30
Diamond Light Source virtual open evening to discover engineering technician apprentices.
https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Events/2021/Apprenticeship-Open-Evening-27-January.html
Tue 7 Feb 2023 | 16:30-19:30
UKAEA Apprenticeship Scheme Annual Open Evening
UKAEA Apprenticeship Scheme Open Evening - February 2023 Tickets, Tue 7 Feb 2023 at 16:30 | Eventbrite
Wed 8 Feb 2023 | 17:00-20:00
Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Open Evening, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rutherford-appleton-laboratory-apprenticeship-open-evening-2023-tickets-482430662097
Wed 8 Feb 2023 | 18:00 – 20:00
Apprenticeship Careers Open Evening, Navtech Radar (Production Facility). https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apprenticeship-careers-open-evening-navtech-radar-grove-oxfordshire-tickets-511497401497
Thurs 9 Feb 2023 | 17:30-20:15
‘Get into Apprenticeships’ and evening for students and parents to gather information about the apprenticeships available to school leavers.
https://mcusercontent.com/1cc6e1401c1fd3731e573806c/images/ea19ce4b-097a-e0bd-b894-b290cad15af8.png
Thurs 9 Feb 2023 | 17:00
OAS Apprenticeship Open Evening, OAS Training Centre
https://www.oas.ukaea.uk/apprenticeships/events-and-open-evenings/apprenticeship-open-evening-february-2023/
The Prince’s Foundation Diploma Year
The Diploma Year is a uniquely designed programme to support school leavers in their progression to higher education, providing them with the making and thinking skills that are integral to further study at BA level. The broad curriculum is especially suited to progression onto Visual Arts courses such as Animation and Illustration, Architecture, Furniture Making and Design and many more.
More details can be found here including details of some upcoming open events.
NHS Careers Untapped Webinar - Wednesday 25th January from 4.30-6pm
NHS Careers Untapped is an innovative project funded by HEE in London and the project group is a collaboration of 10 London trusts leading on the development of podcasts, videos and webinars on lesser known careers in the NHS.
The next NHS careers untapped webinar is focusing on Allied Healthcare Professions and Healthcare Science and is being held on Wednesday 25th January from 4.30-6pm. This webinar will showcase roles including Podiatry, Radiography, Play Specialist, Mammography, Bioinformatics and many more.
Working for the NHS doesn't mean you have to be a doctor or nurse, and the aim of this event is to show you how other careers contribute to our wonderful healthcare service.
This 90-minute free webinar is for young people aged 13-18, anyone interested in understanding careers in healthcare. To register for this fantastic event please click here
Jobs Live UK - Balfour Beatty
As an industry-leading company, Balfour Beatty provides an efficient and innovative infrastructure that helps support communities, daily lives and helps to contribute positively towards economic growth. They are extremely proud of their origins and how they’ve developed into a sustainable and locally invested company that connects communities to the infrastructure they need.
Jobs Live UK will be meeting Balfour Beatty and their partners professionals, finding out what part they play in designing and building a major construction project along with some hints and tips for applying into Balfour Beatty now and in the future.
They will also be focussing on their experiences of being part of the LGBTQ community.
In the Industry - LGBTQ - Thursday 2nd February at 10:00am WATCH FOR FREE HERE: https://jobsliveuk.com/partner/balfour-beatty-careers If you would like to watch this broadcast ON DEMAND, you can find it on the bottom of the Balfour Beatty Partner Page.
Diamond Light Source Work Experience
Diamond Light Source's annual schools Work Experience programme offers a number of placements to school/college students in Years 10-13 (ages 14-18). The 2023 placements will take place from Monday 3rd - Friday 7th July 2023.
Applications for 2023 are now OPEN. A full list of projects, as well as the application form, can be found here: https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Careers/Students/Schools-Work-Experience.htmlWilliams F1 Work experience
Are you interested in a career in F1 or motor sport? Have a passion for Maths, Science, Engineering, Design and Information Technology, Media or marketing? Their aim is to bring Engineering and work-related subjects to life, enthusing students about such subjects, and helping to equip them for their future careers, particularly in a precision engineering environment such as Williams F1.
https://dorilton.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WilliamsRacing/job/Work-Experience-2023_R4795Science Oxford - STEM Insight Week – Half Term
The application deadline for Science Oxford’s STEM Insight week is quickly coming up on the 27th of January. The aim of the week is to expose Year 10 and 11 Students to the world of STEM Careers, with different visits from companies and organisations in and around Oxfordshire. Students will hear from a range of employees from a whole host of organisations across the spectrum of STEM.
The week runs in the February half term 13th-17th Feb, Monday to Friday 9am-4pm.
Visit https://scienceoxford.com/schools/secondary-schools/insight-weeks/ to download an application and get some more info.
The Dog House – Channel 4
Could you provide a loving home for a rescue dog? The Channel 4 series, The Dog House is looking for couples, individuals, friends and families who are seriously considering bringing a rescue dog into their lives and are willing to share their reasons for doing so.
Please follow this link to apply: https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/takepart/the-dog-house
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust - Teen Ranger club
BBOWT’S (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) run monthly Teen Ranger clubs on a Saturday for 11-17 year olds. These sessions are designed for young people who have a passion for wildlife and the environment. Sessions include practical conservation work on the reserve in Sutton Courtenay, wildlife ID, Bush craft and tool skills and more. They provide a valuable opportunity for young people to meet others with similar interests and can provide a stepping stone into the trust’s volunteer trainee programme. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/events/2023-02-04-teen-rangers-didcot-february
Elements Café
Dates for the diary
- 13 February – 17 February 2023 - Half Term
- Wednesday 1st March – Year 12 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 8th March – Year 10 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 22nd March – Year 13 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 29th March – Year 11 Progress Consultation Evening
- Monday 8th May 2023 has been confirmed as a Bank Holiday in celebration of the coronation of King Charles
- Monday 15th May up to and including Wednesday 28th June 2023 - Year 11 and Year 13 Exam Period
Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- 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/
Stay safe
Best wishes
Emma