Maths students at Ron Dearing UTC are celebrating success after one team won a challenging competition and another secured a sought-after opportunity at a prestigious university.

Two groups of four Year 10 students recently entered Maths Feast 2023, a fun educational challenge at the University of Hull, which put their problem-solving and teamwork skills to the test.

The teams completed an “all-you-can-eat feast” of Maths problems in several rounds of the competition, drawing on various skills and strategies as well as improving teamwork and communication skills.

Run by the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, Year 10 students Harry Walker, Jack Potter, Sophie Lewis and Luke Marshall were crowned the overall winning team of Maths Feast 2023.

Fellow Year 10 students James Caley, Alex Croft, Chloe Barlow and Muhemmed Sajid also competed, with 10 other teams from Hull and East Riding schools also taking part.

 

Jack said: “It was very enjoyable experience and we worked well together. Our hard work paid off and we’re very pleased to win.”

Ron Dearing UTC Maths teacher Lizzie Dommett said: “The judges said our winning team scored very highly across all four rounds. They fought off some tough competition from excellent mathematicians at other schools and we’re really proud of their achievements. They all did so well.”

Year 12 student Lois Stainforth, 16, who studies A-level Maths and A-level Further Maths, was successful in her application in a highly competitive field to attend Christ’s and Trinity Colleges annual Women in Maths residential at the University of Cambridge last month.

The programme targets potential female applicants to Maths courses at top universities. Lois attended lectures and classes taught by Cambridge academics and met current students and admissions staff.

Laura Dobbs, Maths teacher at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for Lois to gain an insight into what it’s like to study at Maths at the University of Cambridge.

“She also had the chance to explore Christ’s and Trinity Colleges and take part in social activities and other Maths-related activities alongside the academic lectures and classes.”

Ron Dearing UTC’s new Year 10 and Year 12 cohort enjoyed an additional Open Event at the school to find out more about the year ahead and the exciting options available to them.

Hundreds of new Year 10 students who have been offered a place to join the UTC in September heard from key members of the school’s Senior Leadership Team as they prepare to hit the ground running at the start of the new academic year.

Attending with their families, they were given more information about the core curriculum, including English Language and Literature, Maths and Sciences, as well as details on their options for Engineering, Digital and Computing, Art and Design and Photography courses.

The new students heard how they will log all enrichment activities and courses they complete throughout their Ron Dearing journey to demonstrate their level of employability and found out more about the school’s 40-hour working week before meeting individual staff members.

Jay Riley, 13, who attended the event with his dad Adam, said: “I’m really excited to join Ron Dearing UTC in Year 10 in September. There are so many options here and I’d like to study Engineering.”

 

Adam said: “The way Ron Dearing UTC operates is great. They’re gearing young people up for the world of work and a proper working week. Studying Engineering at this age will put Jay ahead for the future. I’m really pleased for him.”

Phoebe Rackley, 14, is also joining Year 10 at Ron Dearing UTC in September and is looking forward to completing a photography course as one of her options.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to being a Ron Dearing UTC student and think I will love it. I received a digital camera for my birthday and I’m looking forward to using it.”

Prospective Year 12 students who have been offered a provisional place in Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form based on their grades also attended the Open Event, alongside prospective Year 12 students who are interested in Creative, Maths and Science courses but have not yet applied to join in September.

Members of the UTC’s Senior Leadership Team told the students and their families about the outstanding employer-led projects they could work on, the school’s approach to careers, advice and guidance, professional qualifications they could complete and support available to move on to positive destinations once they leave sixth form.

 

They heard more about building their own personal brand and important skills they’ll learn which will underpin their future choices, opportunities for Industry Insight experiences and placements, and the school’s exciting expansion plans.

Ron Dearing UTC is currently undergoing expansion to increase its capacity from 600 to 800 students following growing demand and will open STEAM Studios within Hull’s former Central Fire Station nearby in summer.

Ruby Morfitt, 15, is already a Ron Dearing UTC student and hopes to achieve the required grades to secure her place in the sixth form in September. She attended the Open Event with her parents, Nicola and Patrick.

Ruby said: “Ron Daring UTC is a great place to learn and the teachers are brilliant because they treat us as young adults. I’ve had a really good experience here so far and I hope it can continue.”

Steve Willacy, Head of School at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We had a fantastic turnout for the Open Event and it was great to be able to meet so many of our 2023 cohort, as well as Year 12 students who have not yet applied, in one evening.

“It’s brilliant to be able to bring them up to speed with what to expect as they prepare to hit the ground running in September. We’re looking forward to another fantastic year ahead.”

A limited number of places are available to join Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form in September. Prospective Year 12 students who would like to join are asked to visit www.rondearingutc.com/apply for more information and to apply as soon as possible.