Students’ success celebrated at special awards event

Dozens of Ron Dearing UTC students were recognised for their outstanding efforts in school at a special Celebration of Achievement Evening.

The event, hosted by Principal Sarah Pashley, was attended by Year 10 and Year 12 students and their parents or carers, members of the UTC’s Governing Board, representatives from the school’s Founding Partners and Ron Dearing UTC Patron and former Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson.

Students were presented with awards, including dedicated accolades sponsored by the Founding Partners, recognising those who have gone the extra mile in their specialist subjects and also excelled in terms of developing the professional skills and qualifications required by industry.

Many were also congratulated for achievement and productivity in core subjects, and the UTC’s specialisms of Digital, Engineering, iMedia and Art & Design.

Sarah said: “We’re incredibly proud of all our students and these awards are a fantastic way to recognise their achievements in such a special way.

Year 10 students at Ron Dearing UTC.

 

“They’ve worked very hard, despite being faced with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, and we know they are destined for bright futures.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to hold the event in two years due to the pandemic and we’d like to thank to our Founding Partners and Alan Johnson for backing the awards.”

Richard Martin, Chair of Ron Dearing UTC’s Governing Board, thanked parents for their unwavering support over the past two years, the school’s staff and leadership team for their continued dedication and commitment, and governors and employer partners for their backing.

He said: “As Ofsted said when they visited, if Carslberg did schools Ron Dearing UTC would be it.

“The last few years have been tough and the students have had a lot to cope with. It’s fantastic to see them progressing so well.”

Year 12 students at Ron Dearing UTC.

 

Alan presented the Patron’s Award for Young Advocate of the Year to Year 12 students Jessica MacLachlan and Mercy McFarlane. They are the driving force behind Mach Racing, one of two Ron Dearing UTC teams competing in the global F1 in Schools Challenge.

The F1 in Schools challenge is the world’s largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition. Each team designs and manufactures a miniature car based on the official F1 model using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM).

Videos of the two teams were also shown during the awards evening, capturing their competition journey so far as they prepare for the regional finals later this year.

Alan said: “Presenting this award to Jessica and Mercy is what the UTC is about. The way we are doing education differently is not something we should be keeping to ourselves in Hull. It’s something the rest of the country should know about. Tonight, we’ve seen the actuality of what great education means.”

Alan Johnson speaking at the celebration event.

 

The full list of winners:

 

YEAR 10

Core subject achievement awards:

Maths – Kobi Toft

Physics – Giacomo Davis

Chemistry – Kobi Toft

Biology – George Speight

Combined Science – Thorsan McEwen

English – Natasha Bilton

 

Core subject productivity awards:

Maths – Aiofe Curran-Smirk

Physics – George Campbell-Hamilton

Chemistry – Sophie Preston

Biology – Amber Nicholson

Combined Science – Nathan Greenwood

English – Rilee Agius

 

Digital achievement awards:

Computer Science – Hermione Cook

Information Technology – Kobi Toft

Creative Digital – Joshua Bishoprick

Digital productivity awards:

Computer Science – Robbie Kew

Information Technology – Norbert Wawrzyniak

Creative Digital – Kai Bulliment

 

Art and Design  achievement awards:

Art and design – Beth Mason

Photography – Oliver Perry

 

Art & Design  productivity awards

Aet & Design – Kai Mears

Photography – Abbie Brown

 

Engineering achievement awards:

Systems – Tommy Rowe

Manufacturing – Wiktor Rybacki

Design – Kai Bulliment

 

Engineering productivity awards:

Systems – Alex Malnics

Manufacturing – Jessica Dickinson

Design – Madison Mason

 

Professional values and behaviours awards:

Mikey Turner

Jaheim Williams

Thomas Coldbeck

Mazin Amudi

Kai Bulliment

Ryan Lee

Bradley Sykes

Amanda McCourt

Kyla Allen

Evan Russell

Ben Phillips

Joshua Bishoprick

 

Employability Skills award – Michael Kennedy

Digital Talent of the Year – Oliver Holmes

Creative Talent of the Year – Beth Mason

Spencer Group Award for Contribution to the Community – Zach Craig

 

 

YEAR 12

A-level achievement awards:

Maths – Peter Sward

Further Maths – Alexis Vanags

Physics – Alexis Vanags

Chemistry – Tom Dannatt

Biology – Peter Sward

English – Isabella Acaster

 

A-level productivity awards:

Maths – James Acey

Further Maths – Cohen Morfitt

Physics – Ellis Stipetic

Chemistry – James Acey

Biology – Isabella Acaster

English – Leia-May Palmer

 

Technical Digital achievement awards:

Computing – Declan Lingwood

 

Technical Digital productivity awards:

Computing – Layla Richards

 

Creative achievement awards

Art and Design – Sam Maw

Creative Digital – Cameron Markwell

 

Creative productivity awards:

Art and Design – Erin Rowe

Creative Digital – Jessica Harkins

 

Engineering achievement awards:

Systems – Connor Langton

Manufacturing – Joe Green

Design – James Hindle

 

Engineering productivity awards:

Systems – Jessica MacLachlan

Manufacturing – Jamie May

Design – Lewis Hudson

 

Professional values and behaviours awards:

Spencer Kirby

Mercy McFarlane

Ajay Hull

James Acey

Dalma Szilagyi

Riley Robinson

Jack Macmillan

Jessica Harkins

Aleksis Vanags

Marcus Swaby

Samuel Oliver

Ellis Stipetic

 

Employability skills award – Jessica McLachlan

Engineer of the Year – Jack Macmillan

University of Hull Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement – Isabella Acaster

KCOM Award for Best Communicator – James Acey

Reckitt Award for Inspirational Leadership – Marcus Swaby

Siemens Gamesa Quality Excellence Award – Peter Sward

Smith+Nephew Award for Innovation – Cameron Markwell

Patron’s Award for Young Advocate of the Year – Jessica MacLachlan and Mercy McFarlane

Careers Expo offers students insight into exciting future opportunities

Ron Dearing UTC students were offered a glimpse of their potential future career paths at an expo supported by almost 20 of the region’s leading businesses and organisations.

The employer-led school organised the Careers Expo in its conference centre on July 5th for existing Year 10 and Year 12 students, Year 10s joining the UTC in September, prospective Year 12 students and their parents.

They found out more about apprenticeships and future career prospects while asking questions of those who work in industry and former Ron Dearing students who have taken up apprenticeships with the school’s Employer Partners.

Representatives from the University of Hull, the UTC’s lead education partner, the Army and Royal Navy also attended to share potential opportunities with the students.

Year 10 student Kieran Stockton, 15, said: “The Careers Expo was great and I really enjoyed it. I’d like to be an electrician in the future and it was good to meet the Employer Partners to talk about that. The fact they’re willing to take time out to speak to us is amazing.”

Students at the Ron Dearing UTC Careers Expo.

 

Year 12 student Joe Green, 17, who is studying triple engineering in Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form, said: “I’m interested in the mechanical side of engineering and I’m 95% certain I’d like an apprenticeship rather than going to university because I prefer hands-on learning.

“It’s helpful that Ron Dearing UTC organises events like this for us because we can meet the Employer Partners and it will hopefully help us get a foot in the door when we leave sixth form.”

Fellow Year 12 student Maisie Smith-Sainsbury, 17, who is also studying triple engineering at the UTC, said: “It’s great to gain wider knowledge about what the businesses do and shows us what careers we could pursue in the future. I found the expo really interesting.”

Louise Babych, Community and Employee Impact Partner at KCOM, a Founding Partner of Ron Dearing UTC, attended the event with colleagues IT Delivery Manager Paul Moon and Product Architect Richard Tyas.

She said: “We’re really proud of our founding partnership with the UTC and we want to open the students’ minds to the many career opportunities we have at KCOM and what a great place it is to work.

“It’s important the students are aware of opportunities as early as possible and the more they can meet colleagues who are doing the job, the better. Talking to them is inspiring and hopefully helps them choose the right career path.”

Sauce, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Major Partners, is based at Hull’s Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) tech hub, and specialises in working with large, traditional companies as their digital partners, creating solutions to key business challenges to keep them ahead of the technology curve.

Twenty of the region’s leading businesses attended the expo.

 

Technical Support Manager Mel Brooker, who attended the expo alongside several Sauce colleagues, said: “We all come from different backgrounds in our team and you don’t have to go to university to be successful.

“It’s fantastic that Ron Dearing UTC organises events like this and it was great to see the students interacting with so many businesses.”

Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged between 14 and 19, offering a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital, art and design and digital engineering.

Mark Ollerenshaw, Vice Principal for Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “Last year’s Careers Expo was held on a smaller scale following Covid restrictions, so it was brilliant to be able to bring it back in all its glory. The expo is part of the furniture at Ron Dearing UTC and is a firm favourite in our calendar each year.

“It was really well supported by our Founding and Employer Partners, who are equally as passionate about careers and skills as we are. The expo gives students chance to talk to representatives about career pathways and businesses linked to our specialisms.

“They can find out more about job opportunities and employers can meet our students too, so it works both ways.”

IT experts give Ron Dearing UTC students valuable industry skills and experience

Computer science students at Ron Dearing UTC are working alongside the school’s IT experts to learn up-to-the-minute practical skills and gain industry standard experience.

Jupiter IT Solutions manages the school’s IT infrastructure and provides a managed IT service with an engineer based on site.

Students are being given the chance to shadow the engineer and help provide technical support to the UTC on a rota basis.

They are learning how to solve software and hardware issues, how to strip laptops and are carrying out laptop, keyboard and screen repairs, as well as learning more about how computer networks operate and the role computer servers play in a working environment.

Dan Gladstone, Managing Partner at Hessle-based Jupiter IT Solutions, said: “Shadowing our engineers gives the students chance to gain real life, hands-on IT experience outside the classroom.

Hugh Boughton, Operations Manager at Ron Dearing UTC and Dan Gladstone, Managing Partner at Jupiter IT Solutions, with Year 10 students Giacomo Davis and Annabel Gregg, both 15.

 

“They can watch how repairs are done and benefit from crucial IT engineering and technical knowledge. IT moves so quickly and we’re at the coalface of ever-changing technology, so we’re in a strong position to offers students practical experience which they can apply in the real world.

“They could walk into a managed service provider business or somewhere with a large scale IT department in the future and hit the ground running straight away because they’ve been exposed to real life IT scenarios you simply can’t replicate in a classroom.

“It’s not just about how technically gifted you are when it comes to IT – it’s also about your attitude and the client. We can teach students how to consider the end user and assess what’s in their best interests.”

Dan said equipping students with these vital skills will help towards plugging shortages within the industry, enabling other IT businesses to benefit.

He said: “By supporting Ron Dearing students in this way, we’re helping other companies to deliver a more efficient IT service because they will have the skills and knowledge required.

“There is a skills gap within the industry and it’s increasingly difficult to recruit to IT engineering roles, so this will hopefully support that.”

Jupiter IT Solutions, which employs 14 people, held workshops for Ron Dearing UTC students to learn more about the importance of cyber security, making them aware of the dangers which can critically affect businesses.

Dan Gladstone, Managing Partner at Hessle-based Jupiter IT Solutions, working with Giacomo Davis and Annabel Gregg.

 

The team also reviewed modules studied by the students to ensure this element of the curriculum is as relevant as possible to the rapidly changing tech industry.

Year 10 student Giacomo Davis, 15, is studying computer science, which focuses on computer systems architecture and coding, and plans to pursue the subject at A-level.

He said: “It’s really good that we can shadow the engineers because hands-on learning is much better than purely learning in the classroom. Computers are the future and these are important skills to have.”

Fellow Year 10 student Annabel Gregg, 15, said: “I’d like to go into software development in the future and I want to learn as much as possible. Gaining these skills now will help us stand out from the crowd and shows we’re willing to learn.”

Hugh Boughton, Operations Manager at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “It’s fantastic for our students to have hands-on technical experience and brings learning to life as they tackle real life IT problems or queries.

“It’s experience like this which will give students the edge as they think about their next steps after leaving school and has sparked a real interest among those who have been involved so far.”

Ron Dearing UTC student offered place at Jimmy Choo’s London fashion academy

A student at Hull’s employer-led school has been offered a highly sought-after place at a prestigious academy launched by world-famous designer Professor Jimmy Choo OBE.

Sanziana Vetis, 18, has been offered the exciting opportunity to become a potential future fashion leader at JCA London Fashion Academy in the heart of Mayfair.

If Sanziana achieves the required A-level and technical qualification grades, she will study for a BA (Hons) Fashion: Design, Branding and Entrepreneurship degree over three years from September.

Ron Dearing UTC student Sanziana Vetis has been offered a place at JCA London Fashion Academy.

 

Sanziana, who is studying Digital Media and Art at Ofsted “Outstanding”-rated Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC), will relocate to the capital for the design-led practical course.

JCA London Fashion Academy is named after bespoke shoemaker Jimmy Choo, whose business was founded in the 1990s and grew to become a leading global luxury brand with devoted followers among the celebrity jet set.

As well as being the figurehead of JCA London Fashion Academy, Jimmy Choo is also the academy’s Creative Director and uses his knowledge and expertise to underpin the concepts behind its courses.

The course Sanziana has been offered a place on provides students with detailed insight into creating garments and their own contemporary fashion collections, arming them with the skills to succeed in the fashion industry.

It offers graduates the tools they need to establish themselves as fashion freelancers, small luxury brand operators or set up their own businesses.

Year 13 student Sanziana, who joined Ron Dearing UTC in Year 10, said: “I’m so happy and excited for the future. I’ve always been interested in fashion and I knew I wanted to apply to JCA as soon as I heard about it from my art teacher, Lynn.

“I worked long and hard perfecting my portfolio and decided to create a website about myself and my fashion-based projects, rather than a standard digital presentation, as part of my application, as I wanted to show I have something special.

Sanziana Vetis outside JCA London Fashion Academy.

 

“I had an interview with a senior member of staff via Zoom soon after and I squealed with delight when I found out I’d been offered a place. I was at school when I received the email and everyone was so happy for me.”

Sanziana is also looking forward to learning more about fashion sustainability and carrying out research to complete her own projects.

She said: “I chose this particular degree because it will help me to build my own fashion line, business and brand.

“There’s a shop next door to the academy where we can sell what we make, which could be anything from a ballgown to bags or shoes.

“The only time I’ve been to London was on a school art trip recently and we went to have a look at the academy from the outside while we were there, which was brilliant.

“I don’t believe I would have had this amazing opportunity without the support of my teachers at Ron Dearing UTC. They care about your future, help you to grow and make you feel valued and supported.”

Lynn Garland-Collins, Senior Assistant Principal and Director of Creativity at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “This is an unbelievable opportunity for Sanziana and she has worked extremely hard to pursue her dream of going into the fashion industry.

“We can’t wait to attend one of her fashion shows in the future and follow her progress. She is destined for great things and we’re incredibly proud of her.”

Year 12 students set to snap up summer work experience opportunities

Year 12 students at Ron Dearing UTC are being offered exciting work experience placements and workshops to equip them with industry skills and knowledge while working with potential future employers.

Nine of the region’s leading businesses and organisations are offering a broad range of summer placements for successful candidates and students are being encouraged to submit CVs and covering letters ahead of formal interviews.

It comes as some of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding and Employer Partners recently held CV writing workshops and mock interviews with Year 12 students to help them prepare for the work experience application and interview process, offering them constructive feedback on their approach.

Almost 160 Year 12 students will compete against their peers for highly sought-after work experience placements and workshop opportunities at:

  • Advanced Plastics
  • BACB
  • Bonus Plug-In-Systems
  • CATCH
  • Kohler Mira
  • Pure Renewables
  • Smarter Britain
  • Smith+Nephew
  • Spencer Group

The opportunities, which will run from between one and four weeks, include joining design, engineering, manufacturing and project teams, placements focused on renewable energy, electrical engineering roles, and robotics, mechatronics, data and computer science-focused placements.

Students can also apply for an “Introduction to Industry Skills” workshop, offering them a two-day insight into engineering practices at CATCH in Stallingborough, North East Lincolnshire.

In addition, prominent entrepreneur, adventurer and speaker Kevin Gaskell and some of the region’s business leaders will bring their three-day Smarter Britain workshop to Ron Dearing UTC in August.

Designed to support the next generation of entrepreneurs, Smarter Britain will offer up to 30 students the chance to learn about exploring alternative careers, identifying commercial opportunities, creating businesses, problem solving and more.

Lisa Regan, Assistant Principal for Professional Qualifications at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We’re grateful to all of the businesses and organisations for offering these amazing opportunities to our students.

“The placements will help them gain further insight into specialist industry areas and benefit from hands-on experience. They’ll have the chance to make a positive impression on potential future employers and it will help them consider which path they may like to choose after Year 13.

“Some businesses have been very specific about placement criteria, as they know the areas they’d like to recruit to in the future, so it’s a great opportunity for them to potentially cherry pick their future employees at the earliest opportunity.”

Further information about each work experience placement is available in school.

Students must submit their CVs and cover letters here by Friday, June 10th, while those applying for placements with Spencer Group should complete the dedicated application form available from Ron Dearing staff members Kathy King, Sam Caley or Lisa Regan.

Four new members further strengthen Ron Dearing UTC’s Governing Board

Ron Dearing UTC’s Governing Board has welcomed four new members to help shape the future of the employer-led school.

Tim Shaw, Jason Speedy, Laura Botham and John Hutchinson have joined the board as governors and each bring a wealth of experience to the team at the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’-rated UTC.

Tim has recently been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of leading Hull-based digital technology, communications and IT services provider KCOM, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners.

He previously held the position of Managing Director of KCOM Wholesale and Networks for almost three years and fulfilled various technology and engineering roles at major telecommunications company BT over a 14-year period.

Tim said: “I’m pleased and proud to join the board and give something back. We want to help the next generation.

Clockwise from top left, Tim Shaw, John Hutchinson, Laura Botham and Jason Speedy.

 

“The UTC’s link to business and industry is really important. Its approach and model of education is empowering for its students and you can see how passionate the staff are.”

Jason is Chief Operating Officer at global heating solutions company Groupe Atlantic, the parent company of market leading brands including Hull-based Ideal Heating, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Major Partners. He is re-joining the board as a governor after stepping down from his role as Deputy Chair in 2019.

Jason was previously Digital Programs Director and Plant Director for Wind Power at Siemens Gamesa, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners, and was part of the team which was instrumental in establishing the employer-led school before it opened its doors in 2017.

Jason, whose son Lewis, now 20, was the first student to register to join Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form to pursue a career in engineering, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to re-join the board and am looking forward to offering support in shaping the curriculum and setting industry-standard projects for the students.

“Ron Dearing UTC is second to none and has set the benchmark for this model of education, and I say this as a parent, an employer partner and a governor.

“I don’t think there is another school in the country, particularly from an engineering perspective, which teaches and encourages employer engagement in this way. It ticks all the boxes and sets new standards.”

Laura is Human Resources (HR) Partner at Siemens Gamesa, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners, which has world-class wind turbine manufacturing, assembly and logistics operations at Alexandra Dock in Hull.

She sits on the UTC’s Employability Skills Sub-Committee and supports workshops with the school’s Year 12 students, encouraging them to consider personal branding ahead of preparing CVs and applications.  She is an advocate of employer partnerships and encourages likeminded organisations to get involved.

Laura said: “I’m really excited to join the board as it reinforces my passion for boosting opportunities for young people in Hull and creating future talent.

“It’s inspiring that Ron Dearing UTC has broken the mould of a conventional school and the pace it moves forward at is something to be envied. Having employer-led projects and opportunities for the students to learn more about what businesses want gives them the best foot in the door.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley.

 

“Ron Dearing UTC is providing their young people with great insight while building a better future in the Humber Estuary.”

John is a Senior Partner at leading UK law firm BDB Pitmans, which operates in Reading, London, Southampton and Cambridge.

He is also a non-executive director and investor in several technology companies and was previously chairman of a medical devices company, as well as managing partner of a private equity investment business.

John said: “The country’s focus on providing engineering and technology skills will be crucial going forward and I’m delighted to be part of that by joining the Governing Board at Ron Dearing UTC.

“I’ve known and respected the work of the school’s Principal, Sarah Pashley, for many years and been aware of Ron Dearing UTC since its inception. The school is providing a great pathway for students and offering industry level training for young people who will be the future of the country.”

Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged from 14 to 19 and offers a unique model of employer-led education with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.

Ron Dearing UTC Chair of Governors Richard Martin, Customer Experience Director at Arco, one of the school’s Major Partners, welcomed the appointments.

He said: “Were delighted that Tim, Jason, Laura and John have joined our Governing Board and bring such a vast amount of experience and knowledge.

“Having a strong team to support and guide the school is essential and these welcome additions will certainly bolster the existing dedicated team as Ron Dearing UTC continues to go from strength to strength.”

Teachers and former students become colleagues in Ron Dearing UTC engineering team

The majority of Ron Dearing UTC’s engineering department comprises of teachers and their former students who have become colleagues to inspire the next generation.

Simon I’Anson is the employer-led school’s Deputy Head of Engineering and taught Glenn Jensen, who is now Senior Assistant Principal and Head of Engineering at the UTC, at Beverley College, now known as East Riding College.

Simon also taught current Ron Dearing UTC engineering teacher Lee Ray, Engineering Technician Cieran Dowling and Engineering Teaching Assistant Charlie Halliday during their time as students at East Riding College.

Glenn later secured an engineering teaching job at East Riding College, becoming Simon’s colleague rather than student, and went on to teach Lee, Cieran, Charlie and Engineering Teaching Assistant Cheikh Diaw. Current Ron Dearing engineering teacher Clive Isaacs also taught Lee, Cieran, Charlie and Cheikh at East Riding College, before joining the UTC.

Simon, a motor vehicle lecturer of 22 years, also manufactured wind turbine blades at Siemens Gamesa, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners, before joining the school in November 2017, the year it opened its doors.

From Left, Lee Ray, Simon I’Anson, Glenn Jensen, Cheikh Diaw, Cieran Dowling and Charlie Halliday.

 

He said: “It’s a never-ending cascade of knowledge which continues to be passed down.

“I began teaching Glenn in 1999 when he was a motor vehicle apprentice and he was an exceptional student, winning Apprentice of the Year twice. I was also engineering lecturer for Cieran, Charlie and Lee, teaching them certain units.

“It makes me proud and proves that all those years of teaching were worthwhile, not just in bringing students on in qualifications but also seeing them develop as individuals.

“The model of education at Ron Dearing UTC goes hand in hand with industry and employer partnerships to give the students amazing opportunities. This is 100% the way forward in education.”

Glenn, who also joined Ron Dearing UTC when it opened in 2017, said the whole team prides itself on providing first class education to Ron Dearing UTC students.

He said: “I see it as a team of home-grown talent inspiring the next generation of teachers to go into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and industry.

Ron Dearing UTC’s engineering department comprises of teachers and their former students.

 

“When you hear about the destinations Ron Dearing UTC students have moved on to and see them securing their dream jobs in the engineering sector, that’s the icing on the cake for me.”

Lee, who has also worked at the UTC since it opened in September 2017, said: “Knowing each other as we do makes working together much easier. We have that element of trust and you know what everyone is thinking. We’re one big team.”

Charlie, who has been part of the team since December 2021, said: “Colleagues who were previously my teachers still teach me now. They help and support me to do my job here with great guidance.”

Cheikh, a member of the team since January 2021, said: “When I was given the opportunity to work at Ron Dearing UTC, I didn’t hesitate. The students have the chance to do theory and practical work and they’re ready for employment straight away.”

Cieran, who joined the team in September 2019, said: “My teachers have become my colleagues and I’m really proud to work at Ron Dearing UTC.”

Ron Dearing UTC art students draw new ideas from London galleries trip

A group of Ron Dearing UTC art students are using their visit to some of London’s most popular galleries for inspiration.

Ten Year 12 and 13 students travelled to the capital to visit the Tate, Whitechapel, Eden and various independent galleries on a day-long visit capturing sculpture, film and sound installations.

They also took photographs in London’s popular Spitalfields Market and Covent Garden and saw various landmarks as they took in the sights and sounds of the city on foot.

Ron Dearing UTC art students in London.

 

Lynn Garland-Collins, Senior Assistant Principal and Director of Creativity at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “The students loved it and the feedback has been really positive. They were buzzing with excitement and all they talked about was planning the next trip.

“It’s important for them to see the different types and range of art out there and many of the students hadn’t been to London before, so they were completely out of the environment they’re used to. It was a fantastic and worthwhile trip.”

Year 12 student Erin Rowe, 16, said: “It was exciting and inspiring and we saw a lot in the time we had.

Art students from Ron Dearing UTC are taking inspiration from their trip to the capital.

 

“The Tate was fantastic and the visit showed me that everything doesn’t have to be perfect in art because it’s about your interpretation of things. I’d love to go back to London and see it all again.”

Year 12 student Emilie Cattaneo-Bower, 17, said: “I loved every minute of the trip and the Tate was filled with sculptures, which I love. I’ve created a sculpture for my coursework, so it gave me a lot of inspiration.

“I’m so pleased we were able to go on the trip this year, as we weren’t able to during Covid, and I’m looking forward to similar opportunities in the future.”

Ron Dearing UTC to increase student numbers after planning approval for expansion

Hull’s pioneering Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) has been given the go-ahead to expand and increase its capacity.

The Ofsted “Outstanding”-rated school will be able to offer an additional 200 student places after Hull City Council approved its expansion plans.

The first phase of the work to reconfigure the UTC’s existing building in Kingston Square, including two new science labs and a Sixth Form Independent Study Centre, is expected to be complete by August, enabling the employer-led school to welcome a further 80 students from September.

A new hi-tech learning centre will also be created in the former Central Fire Station, next to the school, which will be home to an exhibition centre, a Renewables Innovation Lab, a Sixth Form Centre and a state-of-the-art Centre for Creativity known as “STEAM Studios”, representing the school’s specialisms in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

Opening in May 2023, STEAM Studios will comprise of three art and design studios, a ceramics studio, a Mac computer suite, recording studio, film-making facilities and exhibition and performance spaces. This facility will enable an additional 120 students to attend Ron Dearing UTC from September next year.

An artist’s impression of Ron Dearing UTC’s expansion.

 

It comes after the Department for Education’s Post-16 Capacity Fund awarded the school substantial grant funding to grow from 600 to 800 students in response to the huge demand for student places.

Sarah Pashley, Principal of Ron Dearing UTC, which has been over-subscribed every year since it opened in 2017, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Hull City Council has approved our planning application for the redevelopment of the former fire station building and we can now move forward with our exciting expansion plans.

“I’d like to thank the council and our partners for all their support in helping us continue to grow, enabling us to offer more students the unique Ron Dearing UTC experience.

“The project will prioritise sustainable design and build solutions and focus on the latest green technologies, reinforcing our commitment to decarbonisation, and we’re working with our employer partners to put sustainability at the heart of our curriculum.

“We’ve appointed the Ron Dearing UTC Student Design and Build Team to work alongside the professionals, offering them a fantastic opportunity to build on their knowledge of budgeting, design, overcoming challenges, sustainability and environmental considerations.

“We’re already incredibly proud of the employer-led education model we offer at Ron Dearing UTC and this expansion will enable us to build on that, creating more work-ready young people of the future.”

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley.

 

Hull Esteem Consortium LEP Ltd is acting as project managers on the project, Space Architects drew up the plans and Sewell Construction has been appointed to complete the work.

The team and other partners are working to ensure the former Central Fire Station retains its original character and has the lowest possible carbon footprint.

Mark Jones, Director of Regeneration for Hull City Council, said: “We’re very pleased to support the expansion of Ron Dearing UTC, utilising the former fire station owned by the city council.

“The school has been a huge success story for Hull, ensuring our young people can reach their full potential in careers aligned to the needs of the local business community.

“This expansion will bring the building back into beneficial use, provide further outstanding facilities for students and add to the vibrancy of our city centre.”

Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged from 14 to 19 and offers a unique model of employer-led education with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.

The expansion will enable an additional 200 students to study Level 3 qualifications in engineering, creative and digital and provide local industry with an additional 100 highly skilled and qualified potential employees every year.

Ron Dearing UTC student takes on Nepal’s highest trekking peak in charity challenge

A 15-year-old Ron Dearing UTC student who took on a major trekking challenge in Nepal has raised £1,500 for a charity which supports disabled children and their families.

Year 10 student Matthew Preston-Blake and his father Kris Blake took on the daunting task of tackling Mera Peak, the highest trekking peak in Nepal at 6,476 metres.

Despite missing the summit by just 400 metres due to extreme weather and Kris experiencing food poisoning twice, they raised £1,500 for Freddie’s Friends, a Hull-based charity which provides specialist equipment, support and respite for disabled youngsters and their families.

Their adventure tested their stamina to the limit, as they faced sweltering heat during the day and below zero temperatures overnight while sleeping in basic lodges.

Kris said their highly experienced climbing Sherpa guide, Tashi, who had already trekked to the summit of Mera Peak seven times since March, believed Matthew was the youngest western person to take on the gruelling challenge.

Ron Dearing UTC student Matthew Preston-Blake and his father Kris Blake on Mera Peak.

 

It comes after Matthew, accompanied by Kris, became one of the youngest ever people to reach Everest Base Camp when he was just 12 years old, raising more than £1,500 for the Hull 4 Heroes charity.

Matthew said: “Mera Peak was very hard and Everest Base Camp was easy compared to that. We trekked for 13 days in total and we climbed and trekked for nine hours on the longest day.

“I learnt a lot about different cultures and facts about the mountains. If you’d told me when I was younger that I’d be doing this, I wouldn’t have believed it.

“We had to rope up, use crampons and cross crevasses but it hasn’t put me off taking on a similar challenge again.”

Following the trek, Matthew and Kris were invited to Tashi’s house to meet his wife and daughter and enjoy a traditional Nepalese meal together.

Matthew Preston-Blake with climbing Sherpa guide, Tashi, and his wife and daughter.

 

Tashi was previously part of a team which attempted to scale the south face of Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world at 8,516 metres, but an avalanche forced them to abandon the challenge on the border of Tibet and Nepal in 2019. He gave Matthew his jacket from the expedition as a memento.

Kris, Director of Hull and Leeds-based AJ Building, a Partner of Ron Dearing UTC, reached 6,000 metres on the trek and said the experience will stay with him forever.

He said: “With travelling and delays, we’d been awake for 28 hours by the time we reached our hotel and we were collected to leave for the start of the trek at 5am the next morning.

“I got food poisoning twice but I carried on for as long as possible, even early in the trek on day two.

“The weather conditions and adjusting to the altitude was so tough and someone had to be taken off the mountain by helicopter because he was snow blind.

Matthew Preston-Blake and his father Kris Blake have raised £1,500 for charity Freddie’s Friends.

 

“We managed to reach the high camp, which was about 400m off the summit. It would have been about a five-hour slow walk to get there and we could even see Mount Everest and snow leopard tracks.

“It’s one of the hardest physical challenges I’ve ever taken on but Matthew kept me going and I couldn’t be prouder of him. I’m just sorry he couldn’t reach the summit but he tried so hard and reached 6,100 metres.

“We’re really pleased to have raised money for Freddie’s Friends and grateful to everyone who sponsored us.”

Freddie’s Friends was set up by Mark and Rachel Appleyard in memory of their two-year-old son Freddie, who was born with a rare brain disorder and died in December 2008 after battling a series of serious health complications since birth.

Kris and Matthew covered the entire cost of the trek themselves, ensuring every penny raised will be donated directly to Freddie’s Friends.

Year 10 student Matthew Preston-Blake and his father Kris Blake tested their stamina to the limit on their trekking challenge.

 

Rachel, who is also Key Stage 4 Information, Advice and Guidance Mentor at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “I’m so glad Matthew and Kris are back safe and had such an amazing experience. But I’m also incredibly grateful for the fantastic amount of the money they raised.

“It will make a huge difference to at least five children and their families and they’ve also helped the spread the word about Freddie and the charity, keeping Freddie’s memory alive.

“I never want people to forget who Freddie was and that’s why this amazing achievement by Matthew and Kris means so much.”

Anyone who would like to add to Matthew and Kris’ fundraising total can donate online via https://bit.ly/3DsvvuP