Ron Dearing UTC students are helping to create a dedicated mobile app to collate experiences and additional qualifications achieved during their time at the school.

Created by smart tech company Sauce, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Major Partners, the app is currently in the design stage and will capture the broad range of experiences students are involved in.

Everything from mock interviews, cultural and enrichment activities and employer-led projects to CV writing workshops, personal branding sessions, professional qualifications and more will be included and logged on the app, collating the achievements of each student in one place.

The aim is to ensure every student has an accurate record of their experiences, which they can include in job, apprenticeship or university applications, showcasing the wide range of activities and qualifications they have completed.

As the design progresses, the app will be tested by existing students and launched in time for the September 2023 student intake.

 

About 20 students from all year groups are attending regular sessions at Sauce’s offices in Hull’s Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) tech hub in the city’s Fruit Market, with groups including product owners, marketeers and designers, beta testers and user experience (UX) designers who will look at how the app functions.

Former Ron Dearing UTC students who have been employed as trainee developers by Sauce will also work on the app as the design progresses.

Lisa Regan, Assistant Principal – Professional Qualifications at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “The Ron Dearing UTC app is an excellent way to collate all of the experiences the students have achieved and will enable them to look back on it when they’re applying for their next move.

“We offer a very broad range of opportunities for our students to add to their employability skills and the app will help them to keep track of any gaps they may need to address.

“The students involved in creating the app all applied to play their part and they’re studying a range of subjects, not just digital.

“They’re gaining agile skills and learning from the fantastic Sauce team in a real working environment while creating something that will hopefully benefit students for many years to come.

“It’s brilliant to know our former students, who are employed by Sauce, will inspire our current students and we can’t thank Sauce enough for all the support they’re providing. This is a shining example of a fantastic employer-led project, drawing on our students’ digital, technology and creative skills.”

Sauce is an award-winning business specialising in working with large, traditional companies as their digital partners, creating innovative solutions to key business challenges across multiple sectors to keep them ahead of the technology curve.

 

Jim Wardlaw, Chief of Product and Design at Sauce, said: “The students are driving the solution and we’re giving them the opportunity to be a client in an agile development process.

“The students are behind the vision for the app and what goals they want it to achieve as product owners.

“Ron Dearing UTC students partake in lots of experiences and they have to convert that into a CV to impress potential employers or universities. It’s not easy to remember everything they’ve done, so the app will help to bring it all together in one place.

“We’re really impressed with how last year’s graduates have progressed with Sauce so far and this is a good chance for us to get to know some of the students who’ll graduate next year, as we’re looking to employ more trainees.”

The app could also act as a points tracker for sixth form students which can be redeemed against incentives such as driving lessons.

Year 13 student Ben Garner, 17, who is studying Computer Science at Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form, is part of the team working on the app.

He said: “Planning an app while working with a Major Partner is encouraging me to look at app design as a potential career and I’d love to work at Sauce. It’s great to work with the team in their office and see former Ron Dearing UTC students working there.”

Fellow Year 13 Computer Science student George Braithwaite, 17, who is also part of the app team, said: “We’ve planned what we want the app to achieve using wireframes and created designs for how it will look.

“I like the fact we’re creating the base of the app and it can be worked on for years to come and we’re getting a good understanding of agile working. It’s giving us hands-on experience in an industry environment.”

Sixth form students at Ron Dearing UTC met staff from some of the region’s leading businesses to find out more about potential employment opportunities as they consider their next steps.

The school organised a Recruitment Expo primarily for Year 13 students who will leave in summer next year and Year 12 students were also given the opportunity to attend.

They met almost 20 of the school’s employer partners which are offering paid employment roles and apprenticeships and students can apply for the positions in the new year.

Alex Lee, Head of Marketing at Designs Signage Solutions, one of the UTC’s Major Partners, attended the expo with colleagues Rhianna Cavanagh, Assistant Project Manager, and Keland Sharpe, Design Team Member and a former Ron Dearing UTC student.

Alex said: “We’re very keen on developing future talent and we have two pathways into our business – manufacturing engineering and graphic design.

 

“We’ve created a trainee programme called Rising Stars which gives young people 12 months to see where their interests lie within the business.

“Sixteen Ron Dearing UTC students are going through our final interview process with a view to taking up full time employment with us in September 2023.”

Former Ron Dearing UTC students Josh Peck and Leoni Wilkinson, who are now employed by Reckitt, one of the school’s Founding Partners, also attended the expo.

Josh, a research and Development Apprentice at Reckitt, the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company, said: “We can speak to the students from personal experience and talk about how we applied for our jobs. It gives them a really good insight before they apply.”

Staff from Ørsted, a renewable energy company that constructs and operates offshore wind farms across Europe and one of the UTC’s Major Partners, also attended the expo.

Harriet Farmery, Community Engagement Officer at Ørsted, said: “Many of the UTC students know what they want to do and they want information on how to do it.

 

“Next year will be our largest intake of apprentices in Ørsted’s history and we have 12 vacancies.

“The students are so enthusiastic and keen to know more about the company. They also want to know more about the educational opportunities we can offer them and it’s great they’re thinking long term.”

Year 13 student Alex Charlesworth, 17, said: “The expo gives you insight into careers you may not have considered. I’d like an engineering apprenticeship and I spoke to Spencer Group, Siemens Gamesa and Porsche Centre Hull about opportunities they’re offering.

“Ron Dearing UTC has great links with businesses which opens up so many opportunities for us.”

Year 13 student Tabby Argent, 17, also hopes to secure an engineering apprenticeship when she leaves Ron Dearing UTC next year.

She said: “I gathered a lot of information at the expo. It’s a great opportunity to make a good first impression and get yourself out there.

 

“It helps us to understand what companies are looking for and you can see where your skills fit.”

Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal – Employer Engagement, at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to our network of employer partners which support our outstanding employer-led curriculum.

“This year’s expo was designed to give the very best advice and guidance to our Year 13 students about the available routes into industry at the end of their studies.”

Employer partners who attended the expo are: KCOM, Reckitt, Siemens Gamesa, Spencer Group, the University of Hull, Advanced Plastics, Catch, Designs Signage Solutions, INEOS, IRISNDT, Northern Powergrid, Ørsted, Porsche Centre Hull, Ridings Consulting Engineers, Sauce, Smailes Goldie, The 55 Group and Wood Plc.

Ron Dearing UTC computer science students are learning more about cyber security through an employer-led project and IT equipment donation from the UK’s leading safety company.

Following an upgrade of systems across its network of safety stores, Arco, a Major Partner of the school, is donating several of its firewall units and a number of network switches to allow the students to learn using real-world technology.

In addition, two former Ron Dearing UTC students, Josh Thorpe, now Cyber Security Analyst at Arco, and James Swinburne, Apprentice Cyber Security Analyst at Arco, will deliver presentations and mentor students as part of the project.

Richard Martin, Arco Non-Executive Director and Chair of Governors at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “As one of the college’s employer partners, Arco is proud to be working with Ron Dearing on this exciting project, which will be the first of many of its type, to inspire the next generation of cyber security experts.

 

“At Arco, we specialise in health and safety and many lessons carry over well to cyber security, such as the need for appropriate protection, training and compliance.

“By providing a hands-on learning experience, we aim to nurture the students’ understanding of cyber security and develop the skills required to help promote cyber security as a potential career.”

Mike Hudson, Cyber Security Manager at Arco, said: “Arco has an excellent relationship with the students and staff at Ron Dearing UTC and this project will strengthen that partnership even further.

“It’s exciting that we can involve Josh and James, as former students of Ron Dearing UTC, in this project and help demonstrate clearly how their education at Ron Dearing has supported them in starting and developing their careers at Arco.”

 

Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal – Employer Engagement at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “This is an amazing project led by our very own alumni at Arco.

“The project will enable our computer science students to apply their skills to a real-world cyber security scenario with the guidance of industry professionals. This is another excellent example of world class employer-led learning.”

A year 10 student at Ron Dearing UTC is starring in a festive show at Hull Truck Theatre as he prepares for further acting roles.

James Caley, 14, is playing the part of Peter Cratchit and taking on other ensemble roles in A Christmas Carol, an adaptation of Charles’ Dickens’ classic Christmas ghost story.

He began acting at the age of 10, attending Stagecoach Performing Arts in Beverley for three years before joining the Hull Truck’s Youth Theatre group a year ago.

James has previously played the part of Mr Wormwood in the stage show of Roald Dahl’s Matilda at St Mary’s College in Hull and is now preparing for roles in The SpongeBob Musical at the Northern Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Hull and Something Rotten at a venue to be confirmed next year.

James, who achieved a Distinction in grade six acting and a Merit in grade four singing, said: “I’m really enjoying it and I love the atmosphere and performing.

 

“I’d like to move into the television and movie side of acting but I’d also like a career in engineering, so I’m concentrating on my studies too.

“Ron Dearing UTC staff have been really supportive and they’re happy I’m doing this. Now I’ve done some professional work at Hull Truck Theatre I’m going to have some headshot pictures taken and see where it takes me.”

James recently took a brief break from treading the boards in A Christmas Carol to watch the show with more than 360 Year 10 and 11 students from Ron Dearing UTC.

They attended as part of their GCSE English Literature course, which helped them to understand the text and see the characters come to life.

James said: “It was great to watch it with my school friends. It also enabled me to see how the performance has progressed and see how good it looks from an audience perspective.”

 

Presented by Hull Truck Theatre in association with Leeds Playhouse, the show runs until December 31 and has delighted audiences since it opened on November 25.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re really proud of James for pursuing his love of acting alongside his studies.

“We encourage our students to participate in various activities and experiences outside the classroom and broaden their horizons as much as possible. We wish James every success with his forthcoming roles.”

For more information and to book tickets for A Christmas Carol visit https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/christmas/a-christmas-carol/

Students at Ron Dearing UTC have launched a podcast focused on a range of topics throughout the school year.

Radio Ron, which is led by 20 Year 10, 11 and 12 students and supported by artist and West Hull FM Drive Time radio presenter Andy Pea, follows a fast-moving format with an array of content created by the students.

They have taken up various roles, including editing, producing, interviewing, writing, recording and presenting, as well as learning how to edit segments for each podcast episode.

The first episode will include an interview with singer songwriter Brandon Hunt, who featured on ITV’s Starstruck show, a section on gaming and the best games to buy for Christmas, book reviews and a look at the UTC’s enrichment activities.

It will also feature a survey of the top 10 Christmas films and songs chosen by students, an interview with Major Partner Ørsted on green energy and sustainability and a UTC teacher interview.

 

Radio Ron will be aired on West Hull FM and will be available to download via the Ron Dearing UTC website in the coming weeks, with a new podcast planned every term.

Chris Berry, Assistant Principal – Cultural Capital at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “Radio Ron is a fantastic creative outlet for our students and much of it ties in nicely with what they’re learning in school.

“There’s a great mix of technology, creative digital and English, as well as confidence building, communication skills and teamwork, which are brilliant skills and positives to include in their CVs.

“We want to build a team of students who can then teach others and we can continue to increase the number of students involved.”

Radio Ron is part of Ron Dearing UTC’s Horizons Cultural Capital programme which  promotes culture and creativity and broadening students’ horizons beyond the classroom.

Other podcast topics throughout the year will include revision tips and support during exams, pointers on how to prepare for interviews, a guide for new students joining the school and other relevant subjects to support students at each stage of their UTC journey.

 

Three former Ron Dearing UTC students who are now employed by Founding Partner Reckitt will also be interviewed about their careers and offer advice on following in their footsteps, as well as a look back at their time at the school.

Year 12 student Imogen Connolly, 17, who is studying Double Engineering and Maths at Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form, is an interviewer and producer on the Radio Ron podcast team.

She said: “I’m interviewing staff and students about the UTC’s enrichment activities and I’m involved in the top 10 Christmas songs, films and books.

“The podcast is led by the students and will hopefully help people understand what’s happening at school.

“I’m learning how to speak in front of a wide range of audiences and being involved in the podcast will help me understand how to prepare for an interview because the skills are transferable.

“I’m really enjoying it and looking forward to recording more episodes.”

Further details of how to listen to Radio Ron will be released in the coming weeks.

A Year 11 student from Ron Dearing UTC has been named Hull’s Young Mayor.

Amaya Newman, 15, has been selected as the fourth Young Mayor to represent young people across the city over the next 12 months.

She will work with Hull City Council’s Voice and Influence Team, other young people and decision makers to promote the interests of the younger generation in Hull.

Amaya was appointed following a selection day attended by 16 candidates who also voted for the winner. They were all tasked with completing a team challenge and delivered a speech on why they want to be Young Mayor and the difference they hope to make before the votes took place.

Amaya, who attended a Christmas Card Parade in north Hull this week as part of her first Young Mayor duties, said: “I feel privileged to be named Hull Young Mayor and I’m so pleased I’ve been chosen. Young people don’t have enough of a voice and it’s important for us to be heard.

 

“I’ve always had an interest in politics too and it’s very much based around adults making decisions. I’d like to be Prime Minister one day and being Young Mayor is a great opportunity, challenge and a starting point for me.

“A career in politics is sometimes frowned upon but I think fresh opinions are needed. I’m excited about making a difference and connecting young people to decision makers.

“Past Young Mayors have run campaigns and I’d like to do the same. I’m passionate about improving transport for young people, raising awareness of the effects vaping has on your health and looking at the importance of mental health among young people.”

Amaya will be supported by Deputy Young Mayor Germaine Omar, a pupil at Kelvin Hall School in Hull, who has been appointed to the newly created position for the next year.

Amaya said the support she has received from Ron Dearing UTC staff helped her to secure her Young Mayor role.

She said: “I’m really proud to be a Ron Dearing UTC student and my confidence has grown so much.

“I wouldn’t be doing this without the support of the staff because I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do it. I want to make everyone proud.”

 

The young people who attended the selection day will be invited to join Amaya and Germaine as they work with Hull Young People’s Parliament to reach more young people in the community.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re incredibly proud of Amaya for being appointed to this role. It’s a wonderful opportunity and will hopefully help to inspire other young people.

“We actively encourage our students to embrace opportunities and experiences alongside their studies to broaden their horizons and this is a perfect example of that.

“This role will undoubtedly support Amaya to further develop her confidence, leadership and communication skills, which are all invaluable. It will also enable her to give back to the local community – something she is passionate about.

“We wish Amaya every success and know she will do a fantastic job.”

Councillor Linda Tock, Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “Each young person’s speech was full of hope and insight for young people’s futures in Hull.

“I’ve been inspired by the ability of our young people to communicate and articulate their passions. Once again, it’s good to see young people involved in politics and helping to make the city a better place for all young people.

“Congratulations to Amaya and to Germaine as our first Deputy Young Mayor.”

Four students from Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) are excelling in their sporting fields, including two representing their country on the world stage.

Year 12 students Zach Hood, Jack Shepherd and Ellie Grayson-White, all 16, and Year 11 student Brad Taylor, also 16, spend much of their spare time competing at the highest possible level in their relevant age categories, setting their sights on sporting success alongside their studies.

Zach is part of the Great Britain Pentathlon Squad for his level of ability in the sport, which includes running, target shooting, swimming, fencing and show jumping. He began competing when he was just seven-years-old, following in his older brother’s footsteps, and is now competing internationally.

Zach finished 15^th in the European Championships under 17s category in Poland in June and 32^nd in the world in his age group in a further international competition. He also competed in the World Championships in Italy in September, finishing 4^th in the relay section alongside a teammate.

 

Zach, who hopes to become an engineer in the future while continuing sport in his spare time, said: “I’m competitive and I like trying to beat what my brother achieved. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far and the World Championships is the highest level competition I can enter at the moment, so I’m very happy with that result.

“Ron Dearing UTC has been so supportive and the staff are really interested in what I’m doing.”

Jack, who is studying Double Engineering and Maths at Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form, will represent England at the International Ski Federation World School Championships in Turkey in February.

He took up the sport when he was nine-years old-and was later accepted into the English Schools Ski Association Senior Squad, representing England in his age category and training in Norway.

 

Jack was placed in the world’s top 15 for his age group in the alpine English Championships in Italy in 2021 and returned to England for the dry ski slope season, finishing first overall for the season in his age category.

Jack, who also represents Wales in his age group, finished third in the 2021 Welsh Championships, third in the British Championships and secured other podium places.

This year, he podiumed 10 times out of the 14 dry slope races he competed in, winning the under 18 Welsh Championships and finishing third in the under 18s British Championships. He was also awarded the 2021 Bridlington Sports and Community Award for Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Jack said: “I’m really proud. My dream is to take dry slope skiing as far as I can while studying, but I’d like a career in engineering. Everyone at Ron Dearing is really pleased for me. I don’t compete in major tournaments or competitions during the school term, as I don’t want it to affect my studies.”

 

Ellie, who took up figure skating five years ago, began synchro skating in 2019 and competes as part of the Hull Synchronised Skating Team, Northern Starlets, training weekly in Hull and Grimsby.

The team recently competed in the Skate London Synchronised Skating Competition Open at Alexandra Palace in the capital, finishing second out of four teams. They will now go on to compete in Scotland later this month, which will see them progress to the world level of the contest if they are successful.

International competitions will also take place in Nottingham and Sheffield in January and February.

Ellie said: “I’d like to become a marine biologist in the future but be a professional skater in my spare time. I love being part of the team and everyone at school is really happy for me. I’m looking forward to Scotland.”

 

Brad is a trampolinist at Aspire Gymnastics Club in east Hull. He will represent Ron Dearing UTC and his club at the Yorkshire Regional Trampoline Competition in Bradford this weekend, with the chance to compete in Northern Ireland if he places first, second or third.

Brad said: “I’d like to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot in the future and trampolining could be connected to my aspiration to fly.

“The staff at Ron Dearing encourage me in my sport and training. They’ve boosted my confidence enough to make me want to do the competition. I’m really grateful for the support I’ve had and I’m proud to represent my school.”

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re incredibly proud of Zach, Jack, Ellie and Brad and it’s amazing to have such elite athletes in our Ron Dearing UTC community.

 

“While sport is not the main focus at our school, it is a major part of our extensive enrichment programme and it’s fantastic to see young people who are so passionate about their sport, excelling in their chosen fields.

“Perseverance, determination, high standards and the pursuit of excellence are really important employability skills and participation in these sports is teaching our students skills for life.”