Seven students from Ron Dearing UTC are working towards their bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award, learning new skills, volunteering and building on their physical wellbeing.

The programme aims to empower young people aged 14 to 24 while building confidence and resilience and the programme sees hundreds of thousands take part every year.

The Ron Dearing students are completing the volunteering, wellbeing and new skills elements of the internationally-recognised programme as they prepare for a two-day expedition, which will see them trek for two days and camp overnight in September or October.

 

While the dates and location have yet to be confirmed, the students and staff have completed practice cookery lessons, learnt how to read maps and use compasses, and completed a nine-mile training walk in Welton and Brantingham, East Yorkshire, to prepare for the challenge.

 

Jason White, Head of Computing at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “The DofE programme is designed to challenge young people to attain standards of achievement and participate in a wide variety of active interests, to serve their communities, experience adventure and develop and learn outside the classroom.

“It is widely endorsed by UK businesses for bringing skills and attributes such as resilience, commitment, self-motivation and teamwork to the workplace, which prepares them brilliantly for whatever they choose to do when they leave the UTC.

“The students have done really well so far and supported each other. By doing this, it shows they have done something above and beyond their studies and demonstrates they have pushed themselves.”

 

Ron Dearing UTC plans to encourage more students to join the programme on an annual basis and will open up the opportunity to others from September.

Year 12 student Olesia Khrypunova, 16, is among those completing the bronze award.

Olesia said: “The DofE is a great new experience to learn new skills, test myself and be more active.

“One of my physical tasks is to play more tennis, so I’ve taken up lessons once a week and I’m going to continue those over the next six months.

“I’m reading more, I’ve learnt how to read maps and coordinates, how to prepare and follow route cards, and completed a five-hour hike.

“I’m really enjoying it, I’m looking forward to the expedition and we’re working well together as a group. We’ll learn how to set up a tent and first aid skills, which will be very useful in life.”

The Ron Dearing UTC Arts Council and Chris Berry, Assistant Principal with responsibility for Horizons  Cultural Capital, organised an end of term festival to bring colour, culture, music and fun to mark the end of a fantastic year for students and staff.

RonFest was a celebration of Cultural Capital, the school’s dedicated programme to promote culture and creativity, enabling the Ron Dearing community to enjoy great food, art, music and more, across two half days.

It included everything to create the perfect festival vibe, from street food, circus skills and karaoke, to drum and percussion workshops, a range of live music performances, retro games and chess tournaments.

 

A reading room, F1 in Schools competition, art zone, fire performances, pub games and meditation were also part of the packed programme of events.

RonFest was attended by Year 10 and Year 12 students, as Year 11 and Year 13 students had already left for the summer after completing their final exams.  Staff and students were given RonFest wristbands designed by the Arts Council students.

 

Chris said: “RonFest was like the students’ own mini Glastonbury with lots of different cultural events.

“It gave them a real burst of culture and opened their eyes to some new experiences as they moved around the school for the workshops they chose to attend.

“RonFest was a fantastic success and we’re looking forward to it becoming an annual event. The response from the students and staff was wonderful.”

Acoustic roots duo Mambo Jambo and Hull singer and songwriter Izzy T, who is based in London and Los Angeles, were among the live music performers.

 

Year 10 student and Arts Council Secretary Jim Hagar, 15, said: “I helped to run the karaoke and we ran out of time for students to sing in the second session because it was so popular.

“We work so hard all year and everything has paid off for us to be able to enjoy RonFest. We’ve been organising it for a couple of months and this is just the beginning. We could do so much more next year and I’m excited about it.”

 

Fellow Year 10 student and Arts Council Chairman Juliet Wilkes-Oliver, 15, who also helped to run the karaoke session, said: “I loved RonFest because it encouraged students to do things they wouldn’t normally do and it’s really good that it broadened our horizons.

“I’m hoping it becomes an annual tradition and it’s nice to end the year with a bang.”

A Ron Dearing UTC sixth form student plays four different instruments and is the youngest member of an orchestra, regularly performing in concerts across the region.

Jay Rutter, 17, plays violin, viola, guitar and ukelele, and is a member of Eclectic Music, an orchestra which blends together music and musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds.

The Year 12 student is following in the footsteps of his musical family, as his grandmother plays guitar, hand bells and sings, and his aunt plays cello, ukelele and piano.

Jay, who studies Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Art at Ron Dearing UTC, plays alongside his fellow musicians in Hull weekly and has performed at venues including Beverley Minster and Bridlington Spa in recent years.

He said: “I love music but school always takes priority and I’ve never wanted to play music professionally, as it would take the fun out of it for me. But I have the most affection for my violin, which has been in my family for 40 years and was handed down to me.

 

“I love being a Ron Dearing UTC student because the environment, work ethic, education and friendliness is amazing. The people are brilliant, the opportunities are endless and it’s the best place to be.

“If you have a passion for something and like to be encouraged to do your best, there is nowhere else you should be.”

Jay recently received two awards at Ron Dearing UTC’s Celebration of Achievement evening – the Ron Dearing UTC Art and Design Award for Excellent Achievement and Ron Dearing UTC Creative Talent of the Year 2022/23.

Jay, who is considering a career in aerospace engineering, said: “I’m astounded by these awards and I’m so happy about the creative talent trophy.

“I feel very supported by the Ron Dearing UTC staff and students. We all work together and help each other, so it was really nice to see so many students collecting awards.”

 

Jay joined Eclectic Music when he was 15-years-old and previously performed in the East Riding Youth Orchestra. He is now working towards performing in the orchestra’s “Walk on the Wild Side” concert at Hull Minster on September 22 and 23.

Lynn Collins, Director of Creativity at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Jay and everything he has achieved.

“He is a conscientious, imaginative and highly creative student who is passionate about producing innovative art.

“As well as being totally dedicated to his own work, Jay is also a very kind person who is always happy to take time to help other students and staff.

“It’s very impressive that Jay can play four different instruments and is such an accomplished musician. He is a true creative.”

Some of our sixth form engineering students have presented their outstanding science ideas to senior executives of world-leading health, hygiene and nutrition company Reckitt.

Reckitt is one of our Founding Partners, joining other leading businesses in supporting our leadership, governance, curriculum design and delivery, and more, as well as providing additional funding for industry-standard equipment and recruiting expert teachers.

Reckitt’s first ever Festival of Science took place at its Hull Campus and three teams of three Year 12 students from Ron Dearing UTC created proposals on how a Reckitt product, brand or supply process could be developed to help the company meet its commitments in creating a healthier planet.

They presented their ideas to Reckitt’s Global Research and Development (R&D) Leadership Team, who chose the winners.

The winning team, comprising of Scarlet Wedgner, 17, Imogen Connolly, 17, and Tohru Laybourne, 16, focused on how Reckitt could potentially enhance its renewable energy approach using wind power and solar panels.

They were presented with the first ever Sir James Reckitt Future Scientist Award and Ron Dearing UTC was awarded £3,000 to further support our employability activities.

The donation is funded through The Sir James Reckitt Charity’s significant financial contribution related to the Festival of Science. It will support transport for Industry Insight experiences and tours, which students attend with our Employer Partners and other leading businesses.

 

The other two teams focused on how Reckitt could improve its packaging and materials, providing examples of how this could be achieved, and how the business could reduce waste.

They also suggested deposit stations where used containers could be exchanged in return for money and refill shops where products can be topped up after they have been used.

Glenn Jensen, our Senior Assistant Principal for Employer Engagement, said: “It’s fantastic to see our students playing their part in such an important global event, thanks to one of our Founding Partners.

“It was an excellent experience for them and one which will support their enthusiasm for science, engineering and innovation as they consider their next steps.

“Sustainability is such a key part of our curriculum. It’s brilliant to see our students using their knowledge and being able to apply it on the road to net zero.”

As one of our Founding Partners, Reckitt has already employed 10 of our former students in degree apprenticeship roles over the past four years and they continue to thrive on their chosen career paths.

Dr Bruce Charlesworth, Chief Medical Officer and Hull Campus Lead at Reckitt, said: “The students who participated in our Festival of Science wowed our Global R&D Leadership Team with their sustainability knowledge and their ideas for our products and packaging, as well as how to make the energy we use greener.

 

“They showed real depth of knowledge and I’m proud of them all. We had a real struggle in choosing one winning team.

“Every time I meet Ron Dearing UTC students I’m blown away. I love their passion and energy and they bring a very valuable young and real perspective.

“I’m really excited by their insights and they’ve done an amazing job of pulling their ideas together while they’re busy with school and exams.

“I don’t think there are many children of that age who can say they presented to senior executives from one of the world’s biggest companies.”

Dr Charlesworth said Reckitt is pleased to open its doors to inspire young people.

He said: “It’s a bit like going into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory and seeing what we really do, so I hope they’ve taken a lot away from it.

“The gap between academia, industry and education is far too wide and it shouldn’t be, because education is about preparing people for the workplace and for life.

 

“It’s beneficial to us to give them that exposure but beneficial to them to be able to see and experience it, potentially inspiring them work somewhere like Reckitt.”

Student Scarlet, who was part of the winning team, said: “It was a big team effort and a really fun experience. It has definitely added to our employability skills.”

In partnership with Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, the Festival of Science also saw students from Mersey Primary Academy in east Hull take part in hands-on science workshops and meet Reckitt scientists. They were also challenged to develop a new product or change an element of an existing Reckitt product.

The school was also given £3,000 from The Sir James Reckitt Charity to create a science club, thanks to the donation from The Sir James Reckitt Charity, related to the Festival of Science.

The event was part of Reckitt’s inaugural Science Inside Symposium, a two-day broader programme of activities which recognised scientific talent across the company and showcased its brands and products through posters and presentations. The symposium brought Reckitt’s work to life and is set to become an annual event.

More than 20 leading businesses met hundreds of Ron Dearing UTC students at a Careers Expo organised to help them plan their futures.

The expo was attended by current Year 10 and Year 12 students, as well as new Year 10 and Year 12 students who are joining the UTC in September and their families.

They met staff from 24 employer partners and other outstanding companies, finding out more about careers, potential job opportunities, work experience, required skills and more.

Lisa Regan, Assistant Principal – Horizons Professionalism at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “The aim is to increase students’ knowledge of potential future pathways while building on their networking skills and confidence when speaking to employers.

“This is the highest number of companies we’ve ever had involved in the expo and the response and feedback has been amazing.

 

“This event has opened our students’ eyes to potential jobs and careers they may not have considered and they’ve been able to understand more about the breadth of what the individual businesses offer.”

“One of the best aspects of this year’s expo was welcoming back so many former Ron Dearing UTC students who are now working for our employer partners.”

Staff from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, a Major Partner of Ron Dearing UTC, were among those who attended the Careers Expo, which was held at the UTC.

Watch Manager Ben Thomas said: “None of the students are old enough to join the fire and rescue service yet but you can see the interest is already there. They’re considering what skills they have and how that aligns with particular roles.

“It’s not about being fit and strong. It’s about behaviours and people with integrity and leadership skills who put communities first. We can teach people to be firefighters but we can’t teach people to be decent people.”

 

Wendy Hiley, HR and Talent Acquisition Business Partner at specialist rural broadband provider Quickline, also met students at the expo.

She said: “It’s really important that we provide students with opportunities for the future, giving back to our communities.

“We love to see new talent and new technologies coming through because they can change our thinking for the future.”

Year 11 student Alfie Lansdell, 16, is currently studying photography at Ron Dearing UTC and said he was pleased to attend the expo.

He said: “Ron Dearing UTC is an amazing school and the Careers Expo is the best opportunity I’ve ever had. It was a really good experience and I met people from the Army, Royal Air Force and other great companies.”

Fellow Year 11 student Hayden Taylor, also 16, said: “Everyone at the expo was really easy to talk to and it’s nice to be able to look at so many career options in one place.

“It’s better than looking online and searching for jobs and careers on the internet because you can speak to people in person and find out more.”

Two Ron Dearing UTC students hope to become Community First Responders after completing an advanced first aid course during their spare time.

Six Year 13 students achieved the Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC3) through training provider Source Solutions UK as part of the professional qualifications the UTC offers in addition to its main curriculum.

They learnt various life-saving skills, including CPR, how to treat burns, crush and spinal injuries, how to administer oxygen and use a defibrillator, and more.

Now, student Marcus Swaby, 18, has applied to become a Community First Responder in the East Riding and fellow student Isabella Acaster, 17, plans to do the same when she turns 18, which is the required age to take up the voluntary role.

Community First Responders aim to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first critical minutes before an ambulance crew arrives. They help to stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives to take over the treatment.

 

Marcus, who is also Chair of the Ron Dearing UTC Student Board and plans to go to university in September, said: “I absolutely loved the course. It was informative, the teaching was outstanding and the facilities were brilliant. If someone was unconscious in front of me, I feel equipped to save their life.

“I’ve applied to become a Community First Responder and I’m waiting to find out if I’ve been successful.

“Ron Dearing’s massive selling point is giving you the edge and nothing looks better on your CV than being first aid trained. You have the edge if you’re coming into the workplace with these skills.”

All six students have also completed the first aid at work course through Source Solutions UK, which enabled them to move onto the advanced qualification.

Isabella, who plans to begin a degree apprenticeship in September, said: “It was good to build on what we learnt on the first aid at work course and feel confident about stepping in if something to happened to someone.

 

“It has inspired me to help other people. You can use these skills in the real world and they could be really useful in the future.

“Ron Dearing UTC offers students so many opportunities and they’re there for the taking if you want them.”

Student Lewis Hudson, 18, who also completed the course, is a first aider and fire marshal at the MKM Stadium in Hull and recently offered assistance at the scene of a road traffic accident, while student Robert Kearton, 18, supported a fellow Ron Dearing student who fainted at school.

Fellow students Freya Ilyas and Amarni Welton, both 18, also successfully completed the course.

Lisa Regan, Assistant Principal – Horizons Professionalism, at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We’re so proud of all the sixth form students who completed the course and delighted to know it inspired them to put their life-saving skills into action.

“We offer lots of additional qualifications and development opportunities to our students and this is just one excellent example of how these opportunities can add to their CVs and skills.”

Ron Dearing UTC students have launched their first podcast capturing a host of interviews, songs and book reviews in a 35-minute episode.

Twelve Year 10, 11 and 12 students have taken up various roles including interviewing, producing, writing, recording and presenting to create the first Radio Ron podcast, supported by artist and West Hull FM Drive Time radio presenter Andy Pea.

The first episode includes the students’ top six favourite songs, an interview with Mark Ollerenshaw, Ron Dearing UTC’s Vice Principal for Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare, about the school’s extensive enrichment programme, and a chat with Year 11 student and Hull’s Young Mayor, Amaya Newman.

It also incudes an interview with Brandon Hunt, who appeared on ITV1’s hit TV show Starstruck and speaks to students about mental health and online safety.

Additional content covers book reviews, interviews with former Ron Dearing students who are now graduate apprentices at UTC Founding Partner Reckitt, and an interview with Year 11 student Brad Taylor, who has recently celebrated success in major trampoline competitions.

 

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: “It’s been a fun and interesting experience and something completely different to what I’m studying.

“I was interviewed on BBC Radio Humberside and BBC Look North when I was younger and I enjoyed the experience, so I put myself forward to get involved in Radio Ron.

“I’m really pleased with the first episode and I’m most proud of the amount of content included and the number of people we were able to interview. I’m really looking forward to everyone hearing it and making future episodes.”

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.

 

It is available to listen to via the West Hull FM and Ron Dearing UTC websites.

Chris Berry, Assistant Principal – Horizons Cultural Capital at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “I’m really proud of the work the students have done on this. With great support from Andy, they’ve owned it and it’s a brilliant creative outlet for our students.

“They’re learning additional skills to add to their CVs and gaining confidence along the way. We’re looking forward to Radio Ron becoming a regular feature at Ron Dearing UTC.”

The next episode of Radio Ron will again be created by current students and aimed at the school’s new Year 10 and Year 12 cohort joining Ron Dearing UTC in September.

It will offer advice to new students about making the most of their time at the UTC, how to settle in quickly, equipment needed and more.

Listen to the first episode of the Radio Ron podcast here from 00:01:49: https://www.mixcloud.com/ATP_Productions/radio-ron-podcast/

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.”