Students preparing to join Ron Dearing UTC in September have been given a taste of their chosen subjects during interactive experience sessions at the school.
Almost 160 prospective Year 10 students and 80 Year 12 students attended over three days on July 10, 13 and 14, enabling them to meet staff and their peers, ask questions about the curriculum and experience their new state-of-the-art surroundings.
New Year 10 students enjoyed Engineering, Art and Creative Digital interactive activities with strict social distancing rules in place, while Year 12 students, who have all received conditional offers to join Ron Dearing UTC, were given a taste of chosen subjects, including Physics, Maths, Digital Technology and Engineering.
The school’s usual induction days were unable to go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions, but the shorter experience sessions for smaller groups of students were made possible as restrictions eased and stringent safety measures were put in place by staff.
Lily Knight, 14, who has an interest in Creative Digital and Computer Science, said: “Ron Dearing UTC gives you more opportunities than other schools and my first impressions are really good. There is a great atmosphere and everyone is so friendly.”
Lilla Math, 14, who has an interest in photography and will join Year 10 in September, said: “It’s very professional here and being in this environment will prepare me for the future. Everyone is really happy and friendly.”
Prospective sixth form student Dalvia Dhillon, 16, hopes to study Physics, Maths and Computer Science in Year 12 from September.
He said: “I’m really interested in Science and I like that Ron Dearing UTC is a school which supports that path.
“I want to go into a career in engineering in the future and I like Ron Dearing’s links with different companies. If I could eventually work for one of them, that would be great.”
Catherine Crees, 16, who plans to study Maths, Engineering and Physics in Year 12, said: “I’m so glad to be here and it’s nice to meet the teachers I’m hopefully going to work with from September.
“I’d like to secure an electrical engineering apprenticeship in the future and I believe this is the best place for me to do that.”
Sarah Pashley, Principal of Ofsted “Outstanding”-rated Ron Dearing UTC, said that, while the usual induction days will hopefully go-ahead next year, the experience sessions will also remain as they had provided a really valuable experience for the new students.
She said: “It’s been overwhelmingly positive and attendance and engagement have been outstanding.
“The students have all behaved impeccably and have been incredibly focused – they’ve made a phenomenal first impression.
“The students tell us that they’ve chosen to come here for the great opportunities available to them. We’re also starting to see siblings of students who already attend Ron Dearing UTC joining us, which is really positive and shows that their brothers and sisters must be having a great education here.”