Dozens of former Ron Dearing UTC students embrace university life

More than 40 former Ron Dearing UTC students who left the school’s sixth form this year to go to university have settled into studying their degrees.

A total of 41 of the UTC’s 127 Year 13 students moved onto university as their chosen destination, including 14 who secured a place at some of the prestigious Russell Group of universities.

They are studying a wide range of courses, from Prosthetics and Ethical Hacking to Cyber Security, Architecture and Fine Art.

Former Year 13 student Sherry Atkinson-Burton, 18, is studying a four-year degree in Games Design at Leeds Beckett University after excelling in her triple Computing studies at Ron Dearing UTC.

Sherry said: “I’ve always had an interest in games and I’d like to work with businesses within the industry I’ve always followed.

Sherry Atkinson-Burton.

 

“Being a student at Ron Dearing UTC definitely helped me to find the right university course and helped me to build my confidence.

“I have Dyslexia and Dyspraxia and the support and teaching I received from the staff was brilliant. It’s a great place to study and the staff support your ambitions.”

Kian Adams, 18, also left Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form this year and is now studying a three-year Creative Writing degree at Brunel University London.

Kian, who studied double Computing and Maths at the UTC, said: “University is going really well and I’m really enjoying my course.

“I want to become a published author of fantasy and fiction books in the future and this course includes a unit on sci-fi, fantasy and that style of writing, which is why I was drawn to it.

Kian Adams.

 

“Ron Dearing UTC helped me to become more rounded as a person and the staff were really supportive. The teachers have their own specialisms and so much experience, which really helped us as students.”

Fellow former Ron Dearing UTC student Jordan Harwood, 19, is studying a two-year Fine Art foundation degree at Hull College, followed by a further year of study to complete her full degree.

Jordan, who studied Art and Creative Digital at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “My course is great. It’s fast-paced and I can focus on Art while learning something new all the time. I’d really like to get involved in character design, illustration or become an Art Director.

“Ron Dearing UTC prepared me for my course, higher education and for work in the future.

“The style of teaching at the UTC is great because the teachers are so passionate about their subjects. I chose to further my education rather than follow an apprenticeship route because it gives me more time to enhance my skills.”

Jordan Harwood.

 

Haitam Amudi, 18, is also settling in well at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, where he is studying a four-year degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics.

His ambition is to become a Prosthetist, making artificial limbs for people with disabilities, improving their mobility and helping them to live as pain free as possible.

Haitam, who studied Maths, Chemistry and Biology in Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form and left in summer, said: “I want to help improve people’s lives and my course is very interesting, covering a good mix of manufacturing and problem solving.

“Ron Dearing UTC helped me to develop my professional skills, including communication and confidence, and the projects we completed helped me to come out of my shell and get me to this point.

“I always knew university was for me. I’m the first person from my family to go to university and I’m really proud of that.”

Haitam Amudi.

 

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “Ron Dearing UTC has a fantastic reputation for engineering, digital and creative studies.

“This year we’ve also seen many students progress into financial, health and other sectors and continue their education at university or other further and higher education establishments, which is great to see.

“We’re really proud of all our students and the paths they’ve chosen and we’re looking forward to following their journeys as they move forward to bright and successful futures.”