Students at Ron Dearing UTC have been honoured for their outstanding accomplishments over the past academic year at a special Celebration of Achievement Evening.
The school celebrated students in Years 10 and 12 who have excelled in both academic and extracurricular areas during a glittering awards evening attended by their parents and carers, Employer Partners, Governors and the UTC’s Patron, Alan Johnson.
Students received a range of awards, including dedicated accolades sponsored by the Founding Partners, recognising those who have gone the extra mile in their specialist subjects and shown excellence in developing the professional skills and qualifications required by industry.
Many were also recognised for their achievement and productivity in core and specialist subjects, with four students receiving their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award certificates.
The school’s Patron, former Education Secretary and MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, Alan Johnson attended the evening and presented the Patron’s Award for the Young Advocate of the Year.
Speaking about the importance of celebrating student achievement, he praised the UTC’s unique approach to education.
Alan said: “The whole concept of UTCs – invented by the school’s namesake and Hull man, Ron Dearing – was to ensure that kids gain confidence whether they’re going through an academic or vocational route. The concept of UTCs has never been more tangible than at Ron Dearing UTC.
“The Celebration of Achievement Evening is just brilliant because it shines a light on all the individuals in the room – the teachers, the leadership team, the businesses that play such an important role, and, especially, the students and their parents and carers. Seeing parents watch their children celebrated in this way is tangible – it lifts spirits and it’s a wonderful part of education.”
Student awards and highlights
Ruby Rowley – Alan Johnson Award for Young Advocate of the Year, Spencer Group Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community and Subject Achievement Award in Chemistry.
In addition to receiving the Achievement Award for Chemistry and the Spencer Group Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community, Year 12 student Ruby Rowley was honoured with the Alan Johnson Award for Young Advocate of the Year — a prestigious accolade that recognises her exceptional dedication, leadership and service.
Ruby was praised for her unwavering commitment to academic excellence, environmental advocacy, and community engagement. Judges said she approaches every challenge with “integrity, compassion, and determination”, describing her as a “remarkable role model” whose actions reflect a deep sense of responsibility and empathy.
Ruby said: “I’m so overwhelmed and really, really grateful for everyone who nominated me. I did not expect it at all. It’s a really nice feeling to know that my teachers and our employer partners have recognised something in me and think that I deserve these awards. I’m looking forward to pursuing medicine at university – it’s really exciting to think about what comes next.”
Trystan Webb – Siemens Gamesa Award for Resilience.
Year 10 student Trystan Webb received the Siemens Gamesa Award for Resilience, recognising his extraordinary strength, determination, and positivity in the face of adversity.
Two years ago, Trystan suffered a serious medical condition that required extensive hospital treatment, preventing him from starting Year 10 at Ron Dearing as planned. Despite this major setback, Trystan engaged with home tuition and took the courageous decision to restart Year 10 in September 2024. At the time, he was still using a wheelchair, but through sheer perseverance and commitment to his recovery, he progressed to using crutches and is now well on his way to walking unaided.
Teaching staff at Ron Dearing say that Trystan has remained remarkably upbeat, friendly, and engaged, and has never allowed his circumstances to define him, instead embracing his new peer group with warmth and positivity, becoming a valued member of the RDUTC community and making excellent academic progress.
The award citation said: “Trystan’s resilience, courage and optimism are truly inspiring. He embodies the spirit of this award and serves as a powerful example of what it means to face challenges with grace and determination.”
Trystan said: “This award means a lot to me. It represents not just my personal journey, but the incredible support I’ve received from everyone at Ron Dearing UTC.
“My journey has been challenging, progressing from wheelchair to crutches, and now hopefully walking unaided by September.
“The recognition is wonderful, but more importantly, I’m grateful that people understand that with determination and the right support, you can overcome big challenges.”
Luke Marshall – University of Hull Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Subject Achievement Awards in Maths and Physics.
Year 12 student Luke Marshall received the University of Hull Award for Academic Excellence in recognition of his outstanding achievements and dedication to learning.
Judges described Luke as “an exceptionally hardworking and gifted student who strives for excellence in everything he does”, saying his confidence and humility make him not only a top scholar but also a role model to his peers.
Luke said: “It’s fantastic to be at a school where academic achievement is truly celebrated and recognised. Ron Dearing UTC has this incredible culture where being academically minded is valued and encouraged – it creates such a positive environment for learning.
“Having my teachers and the school’s employer partners recognise my efforts means a lot to me. The teachers have been instrumental in my success, so to have them acknowledge my achievements feels special. It’s that recognition that motivates you to keep pushing yourself even further.”
Luke is looking to study an integrated masters in biology with a year in industry, and has a particular passion for genetics.
Chloe Barlow – KCOM Award for Best Communicator
Year 12 student Chloe Barlow was the recipient of the KCOM Award for Best Communicator after consistently demonstrating outstanding communication in academic, professional and community settings.
Chloe has played a key role in inspiring prospective students and their families during the school’s Open Events, speaking with genuine enthusiasm about the school.
As an advocate for getting more women into STEM, Chloe is also a key member of Arco’s Empower Women Now mentor programme. She has supported and empowered others with thoughtful guidance, using her voice to champion inclusivity.
The award judges said Chloe has shown that effective communication is “not just about speaking well – it’s about connecting with others, inspiring change and making a meaningful impact”.
Chloe said: “It’s quite unexpected. It’s easy to forget the significance of what you’re doing until other people recognise it.
“I know that my communication skills will be really important as I move forward. I’m looking at engineering apprenticeships, and I can see how these skills will be useful in a team-based environment as it’s all about collaboration and communicating effectively.”
Charlie Beech – Arco Reading Award and Subject Achievement Awards in Maths, Biology, Photography and Systems Engineering.
Year 10 student Charlie Beech was presented with the Arco Reading Award, which promotes a love of reading and encourages students to explore a wide range of genres and authors.
Over the school year, Charlie has read more than 106 novels. She has explored full series of modern and older texts, including books with complex plots and mature themes. The calibre of the texts has been as impressive as the volume.
Charlie said: “Reading has always been my passion, and I love how it opens up so many different worlds and perspectives. I do a lot of reading during the holidays. This year, ‘The Naturals’ was probably my favourite book.”
