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.”

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.

Two Year 13 students at Ron Dearing UTC have scooped first place and a string of further accolades in the Regional Finals of the F1 in Schools UK challenge, securing their place on the starting grid of the National Finals later this year.

Mach Racing, comprising of Jess MacLachlan and Mercy McFarlane, competed against various other schools from across the country at the National STEM Learning Centre in York as the latest season of the world’s largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition got underway.

They were crowned overall Regional Champions, with their car reaching the end of the track in just 1.333 seconds. In addition, the team also won awards for Lightening Reaction Time, Pit Display, Team Identity and Sponsorship and Marketing in all classes.

Jess and Mercy also competed in the first round of last year’s Formula 1-inspired competition and won the Star Quality: Verbal Presentation Award.

It is the second consecutive year a Ron Dearing UTC team has taken the top spot in the Regional Finals of the competition. The UTC’s Vortex Racing team won first place last year and went on to compete in the National Finals.

 

Jess and Mercy were accompanied at this year’s Regional Finals by Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal – Employer Engagement at Ron Dearing UTC, Cieran Dowling, Ron Dearing UTC’s F1 in Schools Coordinator, and Laura Wiles, a member of the school’s Sixth Form Pastoral team.

Jess said: “It feels amazing to win. This journey has been tough but it was all worth it in the end.

“To finally pick up that number one trophy felt fantastic. F1 in Schools has taught us so much and we wanted to give up many times but we’re thankful we persevered.”

Mercy said: “Winning the F1 in Schools Regional Finals was an amazing feeling, proving that dedication and hard work was worth it. It also feels great knowing we have influenced many young students along the way.

“Throughout the competition I’ve become more confident in myself and with public speaking, as well as becoming a better engineer and critical thinker.”

 

The F1 in Schools challenge sees more than one million schoolchildren from 40 countries take part each year. Each team designs and manufactures and 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.

Glenn said: “This is an absolutely fantastic achievement for Mach Racing. Not only are they the regional winners but they also picked up awards for the hard work they’ve put in over the last two years.

“We’re extremely proud that two of our aspiring young female engineers have been able to achieve this and we can’t wait for the National Finals later this year. We’re very proud of Jess and Mercy and they should be very proud of themselves too.”

Three Year 11 students from Ron Dearing UTC travelled to Parliament to demand climate change action.

Hull’s Young Mayor Amaya Newman and fellow students Josh Bishoprick and Aoife Curran-Smirk, all 16, joined young people from Taunton, Skegness and Suffolk in Westminster Hall to plead with parliamentarians and Government officials to protect their communities from the impact of flooding.

They asked them to accept amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that would help to protect homes from flooding.

The event was organised in partnership with rights and climate group Rights Community Action and creative collective Glimpse as part of the #WeAreHere campaign, which empowers “at risk” local communities across the country to speak out about how they are under threat from climate change.

Chris Berry, Assistant Principal – Cultural Capital at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our students for giving very confident, powerful speeches and holding those in power to account.

 

 

“They asked intelligent questions and made politicians sit up and listen. They saw politics in action and it has helped them to realise that politics is for young people from Hull, not just for people from other areas.”

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill entered committee stage in the House of Lords on February 20. Baroness Hayman has proposed a ‘community resilience to climate change’ amendment no. 270, responding to the needs of people and places who are facing uncertain and risky futures.

Ron Dearing UTC students shared their stories about the threat posed by climate change and displayed some of their artwork inspired by the Shorelines Hull project.

Shorelines has been running in the city for the last three years and saw Ron Dearing students create a mural with Mexican artist Gustavo Chavez Pavon in December 2021.

Aoife said: “Living in Hull, we already know about the impact of climate change after the catastrophic floods of 2007.

“We think the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill is a fantastic opportunity for the government to show they are serious about tackling the climate crisis and the massive impact it has on communities such as ours.”

Josh said: “I don’t want Hull to flood again. Raising awareness on such a grand scale and having my voice heard was the most important part for me.

“We have to take action and it was a really good opportunity to do that. It was a nerve-wracking but liberating experience.”

 

Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy was among the MPs who hosted the event. Haltemprice and Howden MP David Davis and Flooding Minister Rebecca Pow MP also attended to listen to the students.

The Ron Dearing students are now preparing to send an open letter to more than 50 MPs in flood risk areas to summarise their climate change thoughts following the event.

Emma said: “It was a pleasure to host this event for the students of Ron Dearing UTC. Hull is in the firing line of climate change-affected flooding from all sides, with increased rainfall, rivers and rising tides.

“It’s vital our young people understand the challenges ahead and learn how they can better effect change through the democratic process. I hope their visit demystifies what goes on in Parliament and opens up new ways for them to lobby for the future they deserve and that we all need.”

Naomi Luhde-Thompson, Director of Rights Community Action, said: “It was fantastic to see the students speaking truth to power in Parliament.

“Their heartfelt concern on climate change and commitment to the places in which they live should be a massive boost for changes to the Bill currently going through the House of Lords.

“We need laws that can be relied on rather than policies that can be changed at the drop of a hat and the climate crisis needs long-term solutions in places like Hull and Skegness.

“Our #WeAreHere project, along with our partners Glimpse, is now helping to bring these young people’s voices to Parliament and to make sure they are heard.”

Sixth form computing students from Ron Dearing UTC took part in a challenging residential trip in the Lake District to boost their confidence, resilience, communication and teamwork skills.

Run by The Outward Bound Trust in Ullswater, the trip saw 10 Year 13 students embrace team-building, orienteering, canoeing and an overnight expedition over five days.

The UTC’s Employer Partners, which offer apprenticeship and employment opportunities to Ron Dearing students each year, encourage teamwork and communication skills in their workforces and the trip was designed to build on those areas to help set students up for the future.

Day one of the trip included team-building games, a jog and a swim in the lake, while day two was focused on orienteering. The students were awarded points which could be converted into money to buy materials to build a raft and sail it back across the lake.

They had to plan the route, how to build the raft and establish what kit they’d need to meet the requirements of the challenge.

Day three was the start of the 10-mile expedition, which involved climbing the Seat Sandal fell from Patterdale, staying in a hut overnight, and walking to Glenridding the following day.

The focus was on working as a team, ensuring no one was left behind, and the students ate meals from ration packs.

Day four saw the students canoe four miles from Glenridding back to the Outward Bound base in Ullswater.

Jason White, Head of Computing at Ron Dearing UTC, and Digital Teacher Robbie Olsen accompanied the students on the trip and completed the activities with them, encouraging and supporting them along the way.

Robbie said: “Some of the students had never done anything like this before and they all gained very valuable skills. They were pushed out of their comfort zones and they all did really well.

“Experiences like this build on the students’ confidence, communication and teamwork skills, which our Employer Partners want to see in their future apprentices.  It’s character-building and it also gives them  wider experiences to include on CVs and discuss during interviews.

“It was a fantastic week and we’re looking forward to taking more sixth form students along for the experience next year.”

The Outward Bound Trust aims to inspire young people to believe they can achieve more than they ever thought possible. The charity partners with schools, colleges, employers and youth groups to teach young people to believe in themselves.

Following the trip’s success, it will now become an annual event and another is planned for a further 12 Year 13 students in October.

Kenzi Wilson, 17, said: “It was hard work but I gained a lot from it. It improved my confidence and I found the experience very enriching. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone.”

Fellow Year 13 student Layla Richards, 18, said: “The trip taught us how to work as a team and I really enjoyed canoeing. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Ben Garner, 17, added: “The trip helped me to improve my social skills. I’d like an apprenticeship to become and IT Engineer with one of the school’s employer partners when I leave Ron Dearing UTC. If I can communicate better in a team, it will help me in the future.”

Ron Dearing UTC students involved in a global Formula 1 racing-inspired competition held an event to celebrate their achievements and introduce more teams to the contest.

Two teams from the employer-led school – Vortex Racing and Mach Racing – entered the F1 in Schools challenge, the world’s largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition, for the first time last year.

Vortex Racing won the regional finals with the fastest car, progressing to compete at national level, and celebrated their success at Porsche Centre Hull at Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle.

Mach Racing, who won the Star Quality: Verbal Presentation Award for the region in the first round of the competition last year, are racing again in next month’s regional finals in York and tested their vehicles at the event.

The evening also saw two additional Ron Dearing UTC teams – Impulse Racing and Magna Racing – announce their entry into the next F1 in Schools competition later this year and launch a bid for sponsorship from the school’s employer partners, alongside other businesses and invited guests from across the region.

 

 

The teams pitched to potential sponsors, including representatives from the UTC’s employer partners, other leading businesses across the region and the students’ families and friends, about how their logos would be displayed and promoted on an international stage in the competition.

Based on the official F1 model, the F1 in Schools teams design and manufacture their miniature cars using specialist computer software. They also develop their brand, time management and budgeting skills, build their social media presence and link up with businesses to raise sponsorship for their teams.

The cars are powered by CO2 cartridges and are attached to a 25-metre track by a nylon wire and raced. They are timed by a computer from the moment they are launched to when they pass the finish line.

Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal – Employer Engagement at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people supporting our F1 in Schools students at the event and we’d like to thank Porsche Centre Hull for their incredible hospitality.

“It’s so important for our students to take part in initiatives such as this. It’s about linking them to industry and giving them the best advice and guidance possible, so they can make a difference outside their school lives.

“F1 in Schools really contributes towards this and equips them with skills for life.”

 

As part of their fundraising and networking efforts, the event at Porsche Centre Hull was held for the second consecutive year.

Last year’s event raised thousands of pounds towards offsetting the costs of each team and their potential participation at every level of the competition and the latest teams will continue collecting sponsorship throughout the season.

Dr Bruce Charlesworth, Chief Medical Officer at Reckitt, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners, said: “I’m always impressed with the students’ presentation skills, especially for their age.

“They’ve clearly got some real competitiveness going on, which is nice to see, and it’s great to watch them pitching.”

A raffle was also held on the night to raise money towards sponsorship for the two new teams, with the top prize of a Silverstone driving experience.

Year 11 student Zach Craig, 15, is the manager of Vortex Racing and said the F1 in Schools journey has been positive.

He said: “It’s been great and given me lots of experience in looking after a team, organising, engineering, project management, confidence and public speaking.”

Visit https://www.f1inschools.co.uk/ for more information about F1 in Schools.

Anyone who would like to sponsor a team can email [email protected] for further details.

Ron Dearing UTC has launched an exciting new programme with its employer partners to provide hands-on industry experiences and visits for sixth form students as they consider their next steps.

Twelve of the school’s employer partners attended the UTC’s third Employer Breakfast Meeting to hear more about how they can offer Industry Experience Placements (formerly known as work experience placements) to Year 12 students and Industry Insights Visits to Year 12 and Year 13 students.

Employer partners can advertise Industry Experience Placements to Year 12 students from early May.  Students will then complete application forms, interviews will go ahead and offers will be made, enabling them to experience the full application process before starting their placements during the summer holidays.

In addition, two-hour Industry Insights Visits are being organised for groups of Year 12 or Year 13 students during term time, giving them an in-person insight into a company’s brand, values, career opportunities and the technology used in the sector.

Two former Ron Dearing UTC students, Trainee Computer-aided Design (CAD) Technician Oliver Wilkinson and Engineering Apprentice Liam Bowering, are now employed by Spencer Group, one of the UTC’s Founding Partners.

 

They told the Employer Breakfast meeting attendees about the benefits they gained from work experience, which led to them being employed by Spencer Group, as well as how they are now mentoring the most recent Spencer apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC.

Yvonne Moir, Spencer Group’s HR Director, encouraged other employer partners to embrace the opportunity of meeting and working with Ron Dearing students to bolster their future talent pipeline.

Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal – Employer Engagement at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We have extremely gifted young people at Ron Dearing UTC and we want to give them the best possible careers advice and guidance and opportunities, experiencing industry and the workplace to help them choose the right path for them.

“Some Industry Insights Visits have already taken place and we’re encouraging all of our fantastic employer partners to get involved, giving masterclass talks and tours to open our students’ eyes to their industries.

“What we do alongside our employers partners in the classroom is already excellent. But the more opportunities we can give our students, the more they will secure the jobs they aspire to in these sectors and help make a difference.”

Simon Connell, CEO of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, and Kate Ambrosi, Director of Innovation and Learning at the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, also attended the breakfast meeting before a tour of the UTC’s facilities with Principal Sarah Pashley.

 

The school is currently undergoing expansion to increase its capacity from 600 to 800 students following growing demand. Work to remodel the existing school building is now complete and work is underway to transform the former Central Fire Station next door to the school into a satellite school, which is due to open in June.

Simon said: “Ron Dearing UTC has been a success story from day one and it’s really uplifting to be here.

“Employers at the breakfast meeting know what’s being asked of them and what Ron Dearing UTC will do to support that process. It’s fantastic, very prescriptive and authentic and it’s what UTCs were set up for.

“When you’re full and really successful, you want to grow your impact and I’m thrilled Ron Dearing UTC is making more space for young people.”

Sarah said: “Simon was instrumental in helping us to put the bid together for the grant application to increase our student numbers and transform the former fire station into a state-of-the-art creative facility, housing STEAM Studios.

“We’re very grateful to him for his time and expertise. The tour was a great opportunity to show Simon and Kate how the expansion is progressing on the countdown to completion in June.”