Ron Dearing UTC students celebrate GCSE success as demand for places soars

Students at Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) have once again achieved exemplary GCSE and Level 2 technical qualification results, excelling in their studies despite unprecedented challenging times.

Highlights of the GCSE results achieved by the employer-led school’s 155 Year 11 students include:

  • 87% of students achieved grades 4-9 in both English and Maths
  • 60% of students secured grades 5-9 in English and Maths

Students studying the school’s specialisms have also performed incredibly well, with a significant number achieving the highest grades:

  • 57% of students achieved Distinction* or Distinction in Digital Technology
  • 53% achieved Distinction* or Distinction in Engineering Design
  • 30% were awarded Distinction* or Distinction in Engineering Systems and Control
  • 30% of students achieved Distinction* or Distinction in Creative iMedia
Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley celebrating with GCSE students

 

Due to Ron Dearing’s growing excellent reputation, competition for places in the school’s Sixth Form has been even more intense than previous years, with almost 400 students applying for the 150 places in Year 12 for this coming September.

Peter Sword, 16, achieved six GCSEs all at grade 9, including Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as a Distinction* in Engineering Systems and Control and a Distinction* in Digital Tech.

He is returning to Ron Dearing to study A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and English at Sixth Form as he works towards a career in genetics.

Peter said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic with my results. I thought I might get a few 8 grades – I didn’t expect them to all be grade 9!

“I’m coming back to the Sixth Form because this is just a brilliant school. It’s very professional and I feel that this is the best place for me to help me achieve my ambitions.”

Peter Sword celebrating his outstanding GCSE results.

 

Twins Freya and Yaqub Ilyas, 16, were also delighted with their results.

Freya achieved seven GCSEs, including grade 8 in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics and English Language, and a Distinction in Engineering.

She is now looking forward to studying Chemistry, Biology and Maths at Ron Dearing UTC’s Sixth Form and hopes to become a paediatric doctor in the future.

Freya said: “Ron Dearing UTC has helped me to progress and enjoy my subjects more. I’m looking forward to the challenge of Sixth Form because I need A grades to go to medical school.”

Yaqub achieved seven GCSEs, including grade 9 in Physics and Maths and grade 8 in Biology and Chemistry, as well as Distinctions in Creative iMedia and Digital Tech.

He is also returning to Ron Dearing’s Sixth Form and will study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

He said: “I’m delighted. Ron Dearing is just such a good place to be and I love it here.”

Double delight for twins Freya and Yaqub Ilyas.

 

Serghei Glinca, 16, achieved six GCSEs, including grade 9 in Chemistry, Maths and Physics, as well as a Distinction * in Digital Tech and a Distinction in Engineering Manufacturing.

He was also thrilled with his grade 7 in English Language, which is his third language after Romanian and Russian.

Serghei, who wants to work as an Aerospace Engineer in the future, is returning to Ron Dearing to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science at Sixth Form.

He said: “I’m really pleased. I’ve worked hard for this and the staff here have helped me along the way.”

Serghei Glinca proudly showing off his results.

 

Isabella Acaster has her sights set on a career in medicine after achieving Distinctions in Engineering Manufacture and Engineering Systems and Control, as well as four grade 9 and two grade 8 GCSEs.

She will now study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and English at Ron Dearing’s Sixth Form.

Isabella, 16, said: “I’ve been looking forward to getting my results and I’m really happy with them.

“I have a great relationship with the Ron Dearing UTC teachers and they’re really supportive.”

Isabella Acaster achieved excellent GCSEs.

 

Cohen Morfitt was determined to collect his results in person despite needing crutches after injuring his ankle playing sport.

His effort was rewarded as he achieved six GCSEs, including four at grade 9, a Distinction in Engineering Design and a Distinction* in Digital Tech.

Cohen, 16, who will now study Maths, Further Maths and Double Computer Science at Ron Dearing Sixth Form, said: “I’m really happy because my grades are better than I expected.

“I’d like a job in computer programming in the future and I know I’m in the best place to achieve that.

“My grades have shot up since I moved to Ron Dearing UTC and the teachers are great. They’ve given me so much support to get to this point.”

Cohen Morfitt picking up his GCSE results.

 

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “Yet again our students have demonstrated incredible determination and resilience in extremely difficult circumstances.

“I am so pleased that they have achieved such brilliant results, which have ensured that all of them are able to go on to exciting post-16 education opportunities.

“I’m also delighted that over 130 students have achieved the required grades and chosen to continue their education in our outstanding Sixth Form.”

Rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted in its first official inspection last year, Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged between 14 and 19, offers a unique model of education with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.

Richard Martin, Chair of the Governing Board at Ron Dearing UTC and Digital Director at Major Partner Arco, said: “It’s fantastic to see how many existing Ron Dearing UTC students have chosen to stay on in our Sixth Form and continue their education with us.

“Employer-led learning works for them and they want more of it, as they can see its potential and how it is helping to pave the way for incredibly bright futures with amazing opportunities.”

Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners are the University of Hull and leading local employers KCOM, RB, Siemens Gamesa, Smith+Nephew and Spencer Group.

The school is also supported by Hull City Council and many other industry partners, including Arco, C4DI, Fujitsu, Green Port Hull, Ideal Boilers, INEOS Acetyls, Kohler Mira, Luxinar, NEC Software Solutions, Ørsted, Sauce, Sewell Group and Sonoco Trident.

Students who wish to join Ron Dearing UTC in September 2022 can apply online via https://www.rondearingutc.com/apply/ from September 1st.

Ron Dearing UTC students’ delight at outstanding A-level and technical results

Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) students have spoken of their delight after hitting new heights in A-level and Level 3 technical results, paving the way for bright futures in their chosen paths.

The majority of the 116 students are the first cohort to complete four years of study at the employer-led Hull school, as they joined as Year 10 students when it opened its doors in 2017.

Highlights of Ron Dearing UTC’s excellent A-level results include:

  • 100% pass rate – in line with 2019 and 2020.
  • 43% of all grades are A or A* – an increase of 3% on 2020.
  • 92% of grades are A* to C – an increase of 6% compared to last year.
  • Eighteen students have straight A* or A grades.

Ron Dearing UTC’s average grade for technical qualifications, including Engineering, Computing, Art and Design, and Creative Digital, is a Distinction, the equivalent to grade B at A-level.

Just under half of the year group are now destined for apprenticeships or employment with the school’s Employer Partners or other leading businesses, and just over half are taking up university places, including seven with the Russell Group of elite higher education institutions. The overwhelming majority have achieved the grades required for their first choice university.

Ron Dearing UTC students celebrating their success.

 

Identical twins Tom and Olly O’Loughlin recorded an amazing double success, achieving exactly the same grades in the same subjects. They will now move on to the same Civil Engineering apprenticeship at one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners, Spencer Group.

The 18-year-old brothers were delighted to each achieve a double Distinction* in Engineering and a C in A-level Maths.

Tom said: “I feel really proud and I can’t wait to get started at Spencer Group. I’m interested in marine engineering in the future and this is the best start I could have.”

Olly said: “I’ve had so much one-to-one support at Ron Dearing UTC and it was a great decision to come here.

“I’m really looking forward to going into the world of work properly. I want to build bridges and Spencer Group is a leader in that field.”

Identical twins Tom and Olly O’Loughlin, who both achieved a double Distinction* in Engineering and a C in A-level Maths, with Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley.

 

Rana Maglad, 18, cried tears of joy as she opened her results envelope to reveal she had achieved a double Distinction* in Digital Tech and a Distinction* in Creative Digital. She will now study Graphic Design at the University of Hull.

Rana said: “I’m so happy, as my results are much better than I expected. The teachers at Ron Dearing UTC give 100% support to the students and they know how to help.

“It hasn’t been easy during the pandemic, but we all did the best we could and I’m really pleased with the outcome.”

Owen Millard, 18, achieved an A* in Maths, B in Further Maths, A in Physics and a Distinction* in Engineering. He has secured a Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship at Founding Partner Siemens Gamesa.

“I’m really pleased with my results and am now looking forward to my apprenticeship, as I’ve always wanted to go straight to work,” said Owen. “I’ve done loads of research on Siemens Gamesa and it’s an amazing company to work for.

“Hull is the wind turbine capital of the world and I can stay at home to complete my apprenticeship, which is great.”

Rana Maglad achieved a double Distinction* in Digital Tech and a Distinction* in Creative Digital.

 

Ryah Russell, 18, achieved a double Distinction in Engineering and has secured a three-year Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship with RWE Renewables. She will spend her first two years in Wales, before working offshore on the Triton Knoll wind farm, off the Lincolnshire coast, in her third year.

She said: “I’ve worked really hard for this and the staff at Ron Dearing have been there to support me all the way. They’ve really helped build my confidence, on top of the academic side of things.

“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I first came here but it’s blown me away. It’s been amazing.”

Brandon Gurnell, 17, was delighted to achieve an A* in Maths, A in Physics and a Distinction* in Engineering. He is now looking forward to starting a three-year Operations Technician apprenticeship with Centrica.

“I came here to do Engineering and it has been fantastic,” said Brandon. “I’ve learned so much and gained a lot of confidence along the way.”

Ryah Russell achieved a double Distinction in Engineering and has secured a three-year wind turbine technician apprenticeship with RWE.

 

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “This has been a very challenging year for our students, their parents and our staff, and I’m delighted the Year 13 students have achieved such amazing results.

“They’ve worked exceptionally hard and dealt with all the challenges that Covid-19 has thrown at them admirably. It’s a huge relief and a massive credit to them that they have maintained their engagement with learning throughout the past two years, both online and face-to-face in school.

“They’ve shown impressive maturity, resilience and dedication, and I’m extremely proud of each and every one of them. I’m also delighted they have secured such brilliant destinations. Results are extremely important but, ultimately, it’s about where the students go to and what they do once they’ve left school.

“They have exceptionally bright futures ahead of them and I can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve next.”

Rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted in its first official inspection last year, Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged between 14 and 19 and has a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering, offering a unique model of education.

Richard Martin, Chair of the Governing Board at Ron Dearing UTC and Digital Director at Major Partner Arco, said: “This is the first cohort of students to spend four years at Ron Dearing UTC and they have achieved outstanding results despite continuing to study during exceptionally challenging times.

“I’m incredibly proud of all of the students and these results are further confirmation that employer-led learning and education works.”

Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners are the University of Hull and leading local employers KCOM, RB, Siemens Gamesa, Smith+Nephew and Spencer Group.

The school is also supported by Hull City Council and many other industry partners, including Arco, C4DI, Fujitsu, Green Port Hull, Ideal Boilers, INEOS Acetyls, Kohler Mira, Luxinar, NEC Software Solutions, Ørsted, Sauce, Sewell Group and Sonoco Trident.

Students learn about tackling climate change and develop new skills at summer school

Students at Ron Dearing UTC have been learning about how to tackle climate change at a special summer school.

Around 40 students either joining the school or moving from Year 10 to Year 11 in September took part in a week-long series of activities to raise their awareness of the climate emergency and develop valuable new skills.

The summer school had the theme “Five Days to Save the World” and began with a keynote address from author Robert Bell. It then saw the students take part in biology, physics and futurology workshops, all with an environmental focus. They also enjoyed a trip to The Deep to discover more about the planet.

In the second half of the week the students were tasked with designing their own sustainability-themed computer platform games, based on what they had learned in the first part of the week.

From left, Francesca Wilkes-Oliver, Grace Massam, Katie Hatfield and Adam Salter.

 

Working in teams, they adapted a basic template to create their own bespoke games. Each team then delivered a presentation on their game to the whole cohort.

Chris Berry, Lead Practitioner for English, led the week with Assistant Principal Joanne Campbell.

He said: “The students have all been brilliant and we saw them really flourish throughout the week.

“They developed a much broader understanding of environmental issues and the difference they can all make, worked in teams, delivered presentations and learned about computer coding, so it was a really valuable experience for them.”

Ron Dearing UTC students at The Deep.

 

Students Francesca Wilkes-Oliver and Adam Salter, along with their teammates Katie Hatfield and Grace Massam, created a game about saving animals from forest fires in Australia.

Francesca, 15, said: “The week really opened my eyes to what we can all do to help save the planet.

“It raised my awareness about the issues and the part we can play to tackle the problems. We can all make small changes which, together, can make a big difference.”

Adam, also 15, said: “It’s been a really interesting week and I’ve learned a lot. We’ve worked in teams and developed new skills, so it’s been great.”