Budding medical students from Ron Dearing UTC received a valuable insight into careers in the healthcare sector, after taking part in a workshop day.

A group of seven A-Level students who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical fields recently attended the Young Medic Day, hosted by Hull York Medical School (HYMS).

The day included a range of informative sessions and talks, as well as a hands-on workshop to showcase the career pathways in medicine and health and social care.

The group had the opportunity to speak to current third-year medical students about what life is like for them and their journey so far.  They also met  a HYMS admission tutor to learn about the process of applying for medical school.

In addition, the students took part in sessions with medical professionals including a doctor, phlebotomist and a radiologist to find out more about a few of the different roles available in the medical field.

After the information sessions it was time for the students to get hands-on by taking part in a practical phlebotomy workshop.  Working with fake blood and fake veins, the students used real needles to learn the technique of safely drawing blood from patients.

Ron Dearing UTC Science Teacher Sarah Britchford said: “The day was really informative and gave students a hands-on, real-world insight into careers in healthcare which you can’t replicate in a classroom.

“The students especially loved the phlebotomy workshop, and from the feedback they received from the team at HYMS, they really excelled at it!

“It was also a perfect opportunity for our students to ask questions about life as a medical professional, and the life-changing impact they make every day on patients’ lives.

“Thanks very much to all of the team at HYMS for organising a fantastic and memorable day. Hopefully it has inspired some of our students to pursue a career in healthcare.”

A Ron Dearing UTC sixth form student has her sights set on an exciting career in rugby league after her team won the Women’s League One Grand Final.

Ruby Ellis, 17, played for Hull FC’s Women’s Team last season and they clinched their first ever league title against Fryston Warriers, winning the game 26-18 at Featherstone Rovers’ Millenium Stadium ground in West Yorkshire.

Half back Ruby has played rugby since the age seven and has recently joined the York Valkyrie Under 19s Women’s Academy to further her sporting career.

She has previously played for Hull Kingston Rovers Under 12s, Under 14s and Under 16s teams and is considering applying to study sport at the University of Hull when she leaves Ron Dearing UTC next year.

But Ruby’s ultimate dream is to play for England and reach the top of her game, making a career out of the sport she adores.

The Year 13 student, who is studying Double Engineering and Computing at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “I love rugby – it’s my whole life. This is the best competition to win and it was a really exciting day.

 

“The last time we played Fryston Warriers they won, so we had to have our heads in the game and put our best foot forward. I could hear our families shouting when we won.

“I’m on a pathway to play for England one day and I would love a career in sport, either as a player or a coach.”

As the season has ended, Ruby is continuing to train hard in the gym every day.

She is currently completing the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme, which is designed for young people aged between 16 and 18 who have the potential to achieve excellence in rugby while pursuing an outstanding education.

The programme will also see Ruby play a game in France in June next year alongside other talented female players.

She said: “Everyone at Ron Dearing UTC has been so supportive and even amended my timetable when I’ve had training.

“They encourage the students to do more outside of the classroom, such as sport, which means I can do what I love and keep fit while studying.”

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re incredibly proud of Ruby and everything she has achieved in rugby so far.

“She’s definitely one to watch and we’re looking forward to following her progress in the years to come.

“We fully support and encourage our students to embrace new experiences and activities outside the classroom and Ruby has demonstrated what can be achieved with determination, commitment and ambition.”

If Ruby’s impressive credentials weren’t enough, her rugby talents were further recognised on Saturday, November 23, when she swept the board at the Women’s Hull FC Presentation, winning the Players’ Player award, the Coaches’ Player award, and a special recognition award from the DiSE programme.

 

Ron Dearing UTC’s annual Christmas market has been hailed a great success as visitors flocked to the festive event.

It was the second time the employer-led school has opened its STEAM Studios creative hub to members of the public, enabling them to buy a range of arts and crafts as well as Christmas gifts, cards and decorations.

Local creatives sold everything from ceramic bowls and vases, textile pictures, wooden candle holders, bags, photographs and books, to hand made jewellery, crystal fairy wands, cushions, prints, Christmas decorations and wreaths.

The event covered two floors of STEAM Studios, doubling the size of last year’s inaugural market.

Olwyn Reading sold her handmade Christmas gifts, cards and decorations to raise money for the Huntingdon’s Disease Association, a charity which is close to her family’s hearts. The charity supports those who are diagnosed with the incurable neurodegenerative disease.

Olwyn, a retired art and design teacher, said: “I make everything I sell in my spare time and I love making things and being creative.

“The Christmas market was my first craft event because I usually make sales from word of mouth.

“It’s a really good idea and I was so pleased to be part of it.”

Kathy King, Ron Dearing UTC Senior Assistant Principal and Joint Head of Sixth Form, and her husband, Andrew, also sold their homemade creations.

Kathy makes crystal jewellery, ceramics and woodland-inspired gifts, while Andrew carves and creates candle holders and charcuterie tables from wood and slate.

 

Kathy said: “The market was a great way of raising awareness of local creatives’ work while also enabling members of the public to visit STEAM Studios. We had a really good response and it might inspire people to have a go at making their own creations.”

Ron Dearing UTC’s Arts Council members also made their own decorations and gifts to sell.

Year 12 students Jacob Kemp and Jack Taylor, both 16, and Year 11 student Amelie Norsworthy, 15, helped to make fridge magnets, jewellery holders, napkin rings, framed ceramics and ornaments for the Christmas market. They raised over £900 for the Arts Council to support the creative work they do.

Amelie said: “I really enjoyed taking part and it helped to boost my confidence. It was nice to meet so many people and I learnt new skills making the decorations and gifts.”

Laura Furniss attended the event with her family, including son Leon Furniss, 14, a Year 10 student at Ron Dearing UTC.

Laura said: “It’s the first time we’ve been to an event at Ron Dearing UTC since Leon joined the school in September. It was nice to have a walk around the market and allow his grandparents to see where he comes to school.

“We bought some decorations, a table centrepiece and some candle holders. It really helped to get us into the festive spirit.”

Hull historian and author Dr Alec Gill MBE and poet and author Audrey Dunne also signed and sold copies of their books at the event.

Lynn Garland-Collins, Ron Dearing UTC’s Director of Creativity, said: “We’re delighted with the success of our Christmas arts market and it was brilliant to see many people there despite the awful weather!

“A tremendous amount of work goes into organising an event like this.  I’d like to thank our amazing Creative team and our Arts Council for their hard work in making it such a success.

“It was lovely welcoming so many talented creative practitioners into STEAM Studios.

“It was also brilliant to see some of our own staff and students selling their handmade creations.

“They are truly talented and it was a great opportunity for them to showcase their work. We’re already looking forward to next year.”

 

Representatives from almost 20 leading businesses attended Ron Dearing UTC’s first Employer Breakfast event of the academic year to find out more about further opportunities to work in partnership with the UTC over the coming year.

The employer-led school aims to hold the event termly, inviting current Employer Partners to learn more about the UTC while looking back over successes and involving them in shaping plans for the future.  The breakfast also creates an excellent networking opportunity for partner businesses.

Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal at the school, shared the UTC’s outstanding exam results with attendees, highlighted the excellent student attendance figures, showcased some of the exciting destinations students have moved on to and thanked them for their continued support which plays such an important role in the UTC’s success.

He also spoke about future engagement opportunities for Employer Partners, including mock interviews, the forthcoming open events, the UTC’s Apprenticeship Expo, employer projects and employability skills sessions to develop specialist and employability skills.

 

New opportunities also include “Lunch and Learn” sessions for students involving 30-minute talks by business representatives to learn more about their industries.

Glenn also encouraged the UTC’s alumni, who are already progressing well in apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships with the school’s Employer Partners, to return to share their experiences with students in 2025.

He said: “It was fantastic to have such a great turnout for our latest Employer Breakfast event and we’re so grateful for our Employer Partners’ ongoing support to offer the best possible opportunities to our students.

“We celebrated the achievements over the past year while looking at the various new and exciting opportunities we’re launching to involve them and their expertise even more.

“Our students are preparing for their next steps in life and our Employer Partners play a crucial role in helping them to make the right decisions and equipping them with essential skills to succeed.”

 

During networking, attendees were able to learn more about each other’s businesses and how they engage with Ron Dearing UTC while helping to shape the unique employer-led curriculum and producing young people with the knowledge and skills that their industries need.

James Hardstaff, General Manager of BAE Systems in Brough, was among those who attended the event. The company, a Major Partner of Ron Dearing UTC, has employed three apprentices from the school to date.

James said: “It’s important to be able to recruit and retain locally, and taking on apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC is a perfect way for us to do that.

“The students want to come to the UTC to learn and you see that in the results. The Employer Breakfast event was a great way to network with like-minded businesses and it’s exciting to see how we can engage with the UTC even further.”

Northern Powergrid, a Partner of Ron Dearing UTC, was also among the business represented.

Nick Charlesworth, the company’s Industrial Resource Manager, who started his career as an apprentice craftsman 32 years ago, said: “This is our third year of being a Ron Dearing UTC Partner and we’re definitely seeing the benefits.

“We have four apprentices from Ron Dearing and they’re all progressing really well. They have the right attitude, the right mindset and they’re focused individuals.

“We’re planning to bring our apprentices back to speak to students next year and they’re very keen to be involved.”

The businesses which attended the event were:

Arco

BAE Systems

C4DI

CATCH

Centrica

Humber HR People

IRISNDT

KCOM

KLAAFE Limited

Litmus Mockups

Northern Powergrid

Porsche Centre Hull

Reckitt

Ridings Consulting Engineers

Sewell Group

Spencer Group

Wood Plc

Two Ron Dearing UTC students spent a month in Kenya helping to make a difference in disadvantaged communities, making memories to last a lifetime.

Year 11 students Isabella Sykes, 16, and Ethan Ehlert, 15, took part in the trip organised by overseas school expedition specialists Camps International, with 19 other students from Hessle High School and Sixth Form College and Cottingham High School and Sixth Form College.

They each had to raise £4,500 over two years to cover the cost of the whole trip and equipment needed for the journey, which began with flying to Nairobi, the country’s capital city, via Frankfurt in Germany.

 

Isabella and Ethan stayed at various camps across the country, sleeping in tents, bunk rooms or basic lodges, and sometimes travelling up to nine hours on a bus between destinations.

They helped to plaster homes and huts, lay floors in a school, make bricks, clean paths, plant trees and carry out wildlife conservation work, as well as meeting local children and families and seeing an array of animals in the wild.

Isabella said: “The experience made me realise I don’t need everything I have at home. I can live for a month out of a little bag, in a tiny room, and I don’t need my phone all the time.

“It taught me to go outdoors more and opened my eyes to how other people live. I haven’t stopped talking about it since we came back. It’s a beautiful country and it was worth the two-year fundraising struggle.”

Isabella and Ethan held car boot and bake sales to help raise some of the money required for the trip and they both set up online fundraising pages to gain sponsorship from family and friends. Raffles also helped to add to Ethan’s total.

 

Ethan said: “I wanted to try something new and it took me out of my comfort zone. I made some really good friends and learnt a lot about myself, such as how I am when I’m away from home and living with other people.

“Everyone was so welcoming and I didn’t see one unhappy person. No matter what conditions the local people were living in, they always had smiles on their faces.

“Some adults don’t learn what we’ve learnt, or see what we’ve seen, and I’m so pleased we went. We saw a lot of wildlife, including monkeys, elephants, giraffes and lots of insects.”

 

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “This was an incredible opportunity for Isabella and Ethan and an experience they will remember forever.

“We’re proud of them for stepping outside their comfort zones and taking on such a challenge, including fundraising, being away from home for four weeks and learning vital life skills.”

A Ron Dearing UTC sixth form student is following his pottery passion after he was inspired by the school’s ever-expanding creative curriculum.

Year 13 student Matthew Bestley, 17, realised his love of pottery when a kiln, a piece of machinery which turns clay into ceramic at high temperature, was installed at STEAM Studios, the school’s creative hub.

Since then, he has experimented with various different techniques, clay, glaze and designs, and even bought his own potter’s wheel for his home, which saw him dedicate hours every day to pottery during the summer holidays.

Matthew, who is studying Fine Art, 3D Design and Graphics at the employer-led school, has now set up his own Instagram page – @bestleyceramics – which he hopes will eventually develop into a business as he strives to become a potter.

He is looking into the possibility of studying pottery at the dedicated Clay College in Stoke-on-Trent when he leaves Ron Dearing next year, while also considering a Level 4 Foundation course in Art.

 

Matthew said: “I’m obsessed with pottery and, since I started using clay, I haven’t stopped. The potter’s wheel sparked my interest and I love that you don’t have full control over what you’re creating.

“You never know how it will come out of the kiln because the glaze looks completely different before and after firing. It could have a crack in it and might not be useable, which makes it more special when it works.

“I’ve made vases, jugs and some teapots but I want to move onto more sculptural work because I’m interested in the art side of it, rather than the functionality. There is always something new to learn.

“I have 128 followers on Instagram and some are other potters from the local area. I love it when they like my work and posts, and I’ve had a few messages from them offering tips and advice.

“I love the creative choices at Ron Dearing and there is so much scope to learn. Everyone is so knowledgeable.”

 

Matthew is inspired by Japanese pottery and his work is now helping to inspire other creative students as they draw his creations for their own projects.

He also shares his skills and expertise with the younger students at the UTC’s Pottery Club as well as helping the Creative Technicians loading and unloading the kiln.

The Pottery Club is part of the school’s extensive Enrichment programme which encourages students to learn new skills and embrace new experiences outside the classroom.

Matthew has also attended dedicated pottery festivals in Wakefield and Penrith, taking inspiration from professional potters and sharing expertise.

Ron Dearing UTC Creative Director Lynn Garland-Collins said: “Matthew has an incredible talent and is very gifted in the art of pottery, as well as his wider creative studies.

“He has made some fantastic pieces and really embraced the opportunities STEAM Studios is able to offer our students.

“A number of staff have bought pieces that Matthew has made. He has a very creative and bright future ahead of him and we can’t wait to see where his talents take him.”

Matthew plans to sell his work at the school’s Christmas Market at STEAM Studios on November 24, from 10am to 2pm. The event is open to members of the public and free to attend.

 

A budding motorsport engineer has completed a dream work placement with one of the world’s leading Formula 1 teams.

Jasper Gourley, 18, secured the much sought-after opportunity at Williams Racing while he was a sixth form student at Hull’s employer-led school, Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC).

Jasper was the envy of his friends in clinching the work experience opportunity with one of the most famous names in F1.

 

Williams Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of F1, with its cars driven by some of the biggest names on the Grand Prix circuit over the years, including Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet and Damon Hill.

Jasper spent four days at Williams Racing’s headquarters in Oxfordshire, touring the facility, visiting each department, and meeting team members to find out more about their roles and potential future career opportunities.

Jasper visited the company’s on site museum and the “Mission Control” room where engineers watch races and provide feedback to the team on track, as well as taking part in simulated races in which he was part of the winning team.

He also participated in a marketing and design workshop to help to prepare the livery and launch for next year’s F1 car, followed by a presentation.

Jasper was among 20 students from schools and colleges across the country selected for the Williams Racing work placement.

Jasper achieved A-levels in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and an Engineering technical qualification at Ron Dearing UTC and now plans to study Mathematics at Durham University. He hopes to become a F1 engineer in the future.

Jasper said: “Securing the work placement at Williams was absolutely amazing. The tour was a great way to start as it gave us a flavour of every department. It was really interesting to hear from everyone about their jobs and what they do.

“I learnt so much in four days; less about the technical side and more about how to pursue a career in motorsport engineering.

“If I hadn’t gone to Ron Dearing I don’t think I would have been able to progress as well as I have. I applied when the Williams Racing opportunity came up online and all the experiences I’ve had at Ron Dearing UTC really helped my CV and got me noticed.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction for the career I want. Williams Racing is a really great place to be and everyone made me really welcome.”

 

Jasper was among Ron Dearing UTC students who competed in the F1 in Schools UK challenge, the world’s largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition.

The challenge sees more than one million schoolchildren from 40 countries take part each year. Each team designs and manufactures a miniature car based on the official F1 model using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM).

The cars are powered using CO₂ cartridges and are attached to a 25m track by a nylon wire and raced. The teams also design their own branding and logos, plan social media and marketing strategies to promote themselves, deliver presentations and raise sponsorship for their teams.

The Ron Racing team, including Jasper, finished fifth overall of 32 teams in the UK National Finals held earlier this year.

Following the team’s success, Jasper was one of just two Ron Dearing UTC students to be offered a dream VIP experience day at Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art headquarters.

 

The luxury British sports car manufacturer invited him to spend a day at the company’s Coventry base, learning everything from how the cars are designed to viewing the latest prototypes. He also met one of Aston Martin’s head designers and found out how the cars are made.

Jasper said: “I feel really grateful for the opportunities I had at Ron Dearing UTC and the support I was given. None of this would have been possible without that.”

Ron Dearing UTC’s Employer Partners help to shape, support and deliver the school’s unique curriculum, enabling students to prepare for the world of work and secure exciting work experience and employment opportunities with some of the region’s leading businesses and beyond.

Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “The Williams Racing placement was a truly amazing experience for Jasper and a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of one of the world’s leading Formula 1 teams.

“We’re delighted all of the experiences he’s had have spurred him on to pursue his dream and we know he has a great future ahead of him in the world of motorsport engineering.

“We’re looking forward to following Jasper’s progress and wish him the very best of luck.”

Engineering students at Hull’s Ron Dearing UTC have been learning all about workplace safety, thanks to the experts at Arco.

As part of the city centre school’s Engineering Safety Week [September 9-13], the Hull-based safety specialist held workshops for students, featuring an interactive display area based around virtual reality (VR) and a competition focused on working at height safety.

Arco’s Brian Grunes, Louise Brown and Nerys Knight ran back-to-back sessions throughout the day, with groups of students ranging from Year 10 – 13. Students took part in a competition to see who could put on a safety harness and correctly fasten it in the quickest time, featuring a ‘Top Gear’ style leaderboard and a £50 Arco voucher for the winner.

The students were then introduced to a range of working at height scenarios using VR headsets. They experienced the fall potential and safety considerations of working at height, with virtual settings including Blackpool Tower and Hull’s own landmark The Deep.

Brian Grunes, Technical Lead for Confined Spaces at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “The students seemed to really enjoy our virtual reality experiences, which allow learners to experience the dangers posed in high-risk working environments, but in a safe and engaging way.

“Many asked questions and appreciated the opportunity Arco provides as a future employer. The day was a huge success and we’re all looking forward to returning in the future.”

 

Kayleigh Whitehead, 17, who is studying double engineering, maths and physics at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “It was a great experience that allowed us to see how the health and safety work we do at the UTC is used in industry and its importance to people’s everyday life.”

Arco has been a major partner of Ron Dearing UTC since the college opened in 2017, helping the college address the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) skills gap.

Earlier this year, Arco donated personal protective equipment (PPE), including lab coats, safety footwear and safety glasses, for students to wear during their workshop training, as well as branding the UTC’s workshop and digital lab space.

 

Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “Health and safety awareness is one of the fundamental threads that flows through the different engineering pathways at Ron Dearing UTC.

“Having a prestigious sector leader such as Arco showcasing at the UTC is amazing for our students and further enriches our fantastic employer-led curriculum.”