UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 9th June 2023
Dear all,
Welcome back to term six! The year seems to be going very quickly but we are packing a lot into this summer term.
Pride Month
Pride Month is considered to be an important series of events, one that details the history of the LGBT community finding acceptance in the world and raising awareness of individuality and choice in society. While single sex relationships and transgender identities are more widely accepted today than ever before, history contains stories of why this was not always the case.
Become Educated About Pride Month
One important way to celebrate Pride Month is to learn more about this history of the LGBTQ+ movement. Take a look at these interesting facts that might be good reminders of how far the world has come in accepting everyone:
- The designer of the rainbow flag that represents the LGBTQ movement was Gilbert Baker, and the flag was first created in 1978. Seeing it as a symbol for anyone involved in Pride, he decided not to trademark the flag.
- Henry Gerber was the founder of the first gay rights organization in the United States, called “The Society of Human Rights”, in 1924. He was arrested in 1925 and the organization folded out of a lack of resources.
- Bill Clinton was the first sitting US President to recognize Pride Month. Prior to 1999, it was a grass-roots event that was not recognized by the US government.
- Originally used by Nazis to shame homosexual men in concentration camps, the Pink Triangle (with the point at the bottom) was reclaimed for LGBTQ Pride.
Employer Engagement - Year 10 Royal Navy Day
We are looking forward to welcoming the Royal Navy into school on Monday to run some STEM based activities and workshops with our year 10s. they will also be talking to students about career opportunities within the Navy.
Students will need to be in business dress and to bring their Health & Fitness kit and a water bottle with them.
Remaining Summer exam period
A reminder that all students should arrive on site for their exams at least 15 mins before they start (8.45am for a 9am start and 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start). Students should ensure that they have the correct equipment with them (clear pencil case/bag, black pen, pencils, ruler, rubber, calculator, compass, protractor.) They should also be wearing full professional dress, there are no exceptions for this.
They should make sure they bring a clear water bottle with them and leave all phones, smart watches and revision notes outside of the exam hall.
We hope they all have a well-deserved rest and come back refreshed and revitalised to face the remainder of their exams.
Year 10 Work Experience Week
At the end of last term, our year 10 students undertook a weeks work experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to gain real life experience in careers they may be considering. It can also lead on to future employment.
Monty spent his time with P2i Limited in their R&D Department. They offered the following feedback: Monty spent time with the mechanical engineering team working on a variety of tasks, noteworthy being protype assembly, part inspection and machine disassembly, which were intended to provide a wide range of experience whilst also delivering value to P2i. Monty’s contribution in these tasks was praised, intelligent and valuable. Monty was always polite, punctual, friendly, attentive, and keen to be involved, qualities we value at P2i and ones which give him an excellent foundation as he looks towards future employment. We wish Monty the best of luck for the future and hope to see him again in a technically based career.
Q: What did you enjoy about Work Experience
Student feedback includes:
- Everything really, from independence to viewing others work life.
- Seeing what it is like in a work environment
- Hands on work, Use of tools.
- I liked going into the lab and doing some activities and also learning new things about CAD
- I enjoyed finding out how all the team works together to create a solution to a problem
- Experiencing a working environment and being trusted in a role with increased responsibility
Degree Apprenticeship Success
Many congratulations to Tom, our latest year 13 student to secure a degree apprenticeship. Tom has chosen to take up a degree apprenticeship in civil engineering with Milestone Infrastructure in Oxford rather than take up one of his offers to study full time at university. By continuing to study part time with his degree fully funded by his employer, Tom will not only save himself the cost of fees, but he will also earn a good salary and gain 4 years of work experience learning from industry experts.
Boardroom Ready
From Monday the 12th of June, we will be revisiting our dress code because we have noticed a decline in students wearing correct/appropriate attire. If students arrive to school incorrectly dressed on Monday, we will
- send students home to change
- or give them the opportunity to borrow uniform.
If these options are refused, we can then either:
- isolate the student until their uniform is corrected
- OR we will warn them and contact home (If the issue is not fixed the next day, they will be sent home to change or be isolated.)
Attendance
Below are the figures for attendance at the end of Term 5. Congratulations to Emily, whose tutor group had the highest attendance in Year 11 – as this year group are now on study leave, their attendance on a week by week basis is no longer recorded. Likewise as some Year 13 students are on study leave and some have finished their courses, week by week attendance for this year group will no longer be shared.
Turning to Year 10 and Year 12 – sadly attendance in these year groups is still well below where we would hope. Some parents in Year 10 will have received a letter at the end of last term highlighting their students’ declining attendance and encouraging improvement over the course of this term. As ever, please share any relevant information regarding barriers to your student attending regularly, so we can offer support and signpost to any additional services. We don’t expect students to attend if they have a high temperature and are feeling very unwell, or have an upset stomach, however, we do encourage students to attend if they are feeling under the weather. We would rather a student came in a little later in the day than not at all in these circumstances. Please report any absences or expected lateness to attendance@utcoxfordshire.org.uk or by calling 01235 391587 and using option 1 to leave a voicemail.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Soaring To Success
Soaring to Success® is a careers enrichment programme that bridges the gap between education and industry. It aims to inspire, enable, and support the next generation to consider a career within aviation and aerospace. They offer virtual careers conferences, in-depth understanding and further insight into the roles and pathways available and finishing with Air Experience Days. Further details can be found here https://airleague.co.uk/our-programmes/soaring-to-success Airleague soaring-to-success
UKAEA Women in Engineering
UKAEA are holding a women in engineering experience day for 6th form students and their parents/carers on Saturday 1st July from 10:00-17:00. Participants will create, design and build a solution to tackle one of fusion energy's challenges. There are 20 spaces available. book your place here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-engineering-experience-day-tickets-648744962647
Engineering Open House Week
This year’s Engineering Open House Week is taking place between 12-18 June 2023, and if you haven't signed up for an event already, now is the time!
This fun and educational experience for families and schools 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. https://eabw.theiet.org/engineering-open-house-week/
Free Virtual Work Experience
MEDICAL WORK EXPERIENCE - Geriatric Care
Aspiring doctors will learn about the unique qualities and skills required to look after frail, older people who can present with atypical symptoms, such as confusion, and often have multiple comorbidities.
Students will join a medical team assessing a patient with new onset limb weakness and speech disturbance and observe the essential role of the multidisciplinary team in managing these complex health issues. They will also hear from geriatric care experts to understand how we can improve healthcare when people near the end of their lives.
Free registration link: https://wexlibrary.yourmedicfamily.org/courses/medic-mentor-work-experience-palliative-care/
DENTAL WORK EXPERIENCE - New Patients
Aspiring dentists will be introduced to the team at Dental Mentor Smiles and observe a range of both child and adult patient consultations. This includes a possible oral cancer diagnosis, aesthetic solutions and child safeguarding concerns. There will be debriefing sessions for each of the cases.
Free registration link: https://wexlibrary.yourmedicfamily.org/courses/dental-mentor-work-experience/
Aspiring vets are welcomed into the world of small animal surgery! Chief Vet mentors will demonstrate how vets prepare owners for their pet’s surgery and administer anaesthesia and routine surgery.
Free registration link: https://wexlibrary.yourmedicfamily.org/courses/vet-mentor-virtual-work-experience-surgery/
Apprenticeship Academy
The Apprenticeship Academy is a 6 week programme that provides students in Year 11 and 13 with everything they need to know to find, apply for and interview for apprenticeship opportunities in the UK.
The progamme runs three times per academic year; beginning in September, February and June.
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/#/vacancies
Science and Technology Facilities Council – have readvertised their Advanced Engineering Machinist Apprentice. More details can be found here: Advanced Engineering Machinist Apprentice - Careers Portal Careers
University of Oxford Apprenticeships
Becoming an apprentice at the University of Oxford is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience, training and qualifications. They have a variety op opportunities available: University of Oxford Apprenticeships
Year 12 Future Cities (Virtual) - 24 July to 26 July 2023
Future Cities is a virtual course, run in collaboration with experts from the University of Southampton and generously sponsored by the Ove Arup Foundation who are committed to promoting education and knowledge in the built environment through the interdisciplinary nature of design.
Students will get to explore how Civil Engineers design and develop these amazing structures, making our cities clean, safe and energy efficient. From skyscrapers and bridges to water and waste services, civil engineering is all around us.
This three-day virtual course will explore how Civil Engineers work on environmentally friendly infrastructure, but also manage existing public services and work to improve future sustainability.
Students will learn the social value of a career in Civil Engineering from leading academics and improve their CVs and UCAS applications.
Cost: £99
More information here: Small Peice Trust - Future Cities
Year 10 Human Habitat on Mars (virtual) - 29 August to 31 August 2023
Human Habitat on Mars will involve students in space exploration, how to get to Mars, how the journey would impact the human body, and look at Quantum Computing.
This course – which starts August 29 - is for Year 10 students and is run with the support and input from experts in their field from City, University of London.
Cost: £99 All kit included
More information here: Small Peice Trust - Human Habitat on Mars
Logo Competition
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme Team at Oxfordshire County Council, would like to offer the children and young people in Oxfordshire a change to design a new logo for Oxfordshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.
It would be great to see themes such as physical movement and nutritional eating reflected in the winning logo.
The winning logo will be displayed on all the Oxfordshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programmes advertisements and our social media posts. First place will receive a £30 ‘Love to Shop’ Voucher, second place will receive a £20 ‘Love to Shop’ voucher and third place will receive a £10 ‘Love to Shop’ voucher. The deadline for this competition is the end of the summer term, Friday 21st July 2023.
This is a great chance for children to engage in a creative activity which will be showcased on Council distributed material, and for the message of HAF to be distributed within the local community.
Please send entries for this competition to activitiesoxfordshire@oxfordshire.gov.uk with the name, age and home or school address of the child attached to their logo entry.
Below are some examples by other Local Authorities to help inspire children and young people.
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
Open Farm and Countryside Fair
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
Remaining Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- Summer Term 2: Monday 5 June 2023 – Friday 21 July 2023
Term Dates 2023/2024
- Autumn Term 1: Tuesday 5 September 2023 – Wednesday 18 October 2023
- Autumn Term 2: Monday 30 October 2023 – Wednesday 20 December 2023
- Spring Term 1: Wednesday 10 January 2024 – Friday 9 February 2024
- Spring Term 2: Monday 19 February 2024 – Thursday 28 March 2024
- Summer Term 1: Tuesday 16 April 2024 – Friday 24 May 2024
- Summer Term 2: Monday 3 June 2024 – Wednesday 24 July 2024
Further details can be found on our website: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/term-dates/
Have a great weekend.
Stay safe
Best wishes
Emma