Ron Dearing UTC students shine with standout GCSE and technical results
WELL DONE!: Students at Ron Dearing UTC celebrate their GCSE grades with pastoral mentors Chemaine Brown, left, and Lynn Robinson
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Students at Hull’s innovative Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) have once again secured an impressive set of GCSE and Level 2 technical results, with grades significantly out-performing national averages.
The employer-led school achieved a 100 per cent pass rate across all qualifications, with highlights including:
71 per cent of students achieved a grade 5 or above in both English and Maths
83 per cent of students secured a grade 4 or above in English and Maths
78 per cent of students earned grades 5 to 9 across triple science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics).
36 per cent of all grades in technical specialisms – Creative iMedia, Digital Technology and Engineering – were awarded Distinction or Distinction*.
The school also achieved outstandig results in closing the disadvantage gap, with students receiving free school meals defying national under-performance trends. At Ron Dearing UTC, 58 per cent of these students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and Maths.
Principal Sarah Pashley said:“We couldn’t be prouder of our Year 11 students who have put in months of hard work and commitment to achieve a fantastic set of results.
“With the cohort’s attendance holding firm at an incredible 97 per cent, the dedication of our students speaks for itself.
“Their success wouldn’t be possible though without the added commitment of their parents and carers, our university and employer partners, and our dedicated teachers and support staff, who turn up day in, day out with support and encouragement to help our young people reach their full potential.”
Over 80 per cent of the cohort are staying on to study for A-Level and technical qualifications in the sixth form, where they will be joined by a substantial number of external students moving to Ron Dearing UTC in September from other schools.
They will benefit from Ron Dearing UTC’s new state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre which is set to open in January.
Several of the current Year 11 students will also be progressing on to study for the school’s first T Level qualification in Digital Software Development, which launches in September.
The success of the Year 11 students comes after last week’s excellent A-Level and Level 3 technical outcomes, making it a double celebration for the school.
Richard Martin, chair of the governing board and non-executive director at major partner Arco, added:“Congratulations to every student, teacher, parent, staff member, employer partner and governor who made these exceptional results possible.
“This is a really exciting time for the education sector, with our new Prime Minister recognising the need to raise the status of technical education.
“Ron Dearing UTC’s employer-led model combines technical and academic qualifications and empowers every student to succeed, no matter their background.
“The school’s achievements show what can be achieved when education and industry come together to deliver a successful educational formula, developing young people with the skills, qualifications and aptitude to thrive in their chosen careers.
“Not only does this approach to education deliver impressive exam results, it also creates fantastic life opportunities and lasting impact. Yet again 100 per cent of our Year 11 students will progress onto positive destinations and none will be not in employment, education or training (NEETs).”