We have had a very positive response to the Energy Coast UTC from local parents, carers and students. Below are some FAQs that we have received from parent/carers that we thought might be useful for anyone considering the UTC.

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University Technical Colleges are a new concept in education, which are state-funded and free to all entrants. They are like technical schools that are very successful in other countries. Students can enroll at 14 and at 16 and have the opportunity to take a highly regarded, full time, technical and academic course of study that offers clear progression routes into higher education or further learning in work.

The opening of new UTCs is co-ordinated nationally by the Baker Dearing Trust, supported and encouraged by the Department for Education. They believe in providing an opportunity for 14 to 19-year-olds to have a strong technical and academic course of study.

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Energy Coast UTC students receive a broad education including English, mathematics and science combined with practical and technical qualifications which are recognised by employers and universities, for more information please look at the learning section on the website.

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All UTC staff are suitably experienced and hold degrees and PGCEs or teaching degrees in the relevant subject. Technical and practical sessions are taught in our state of the art workshops.

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Yes, we are subject to both. The UTC like traditional educational establishments is subject to Ofsted inspections.

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Free school meals and clothing vouchers are available for children if their parents/carers are receiving one of the qualifying benefits. Further information is available online.

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For more information about the healthy and nutritious menu offered at Energy Coast UTC, please visit the School Menu page.

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Yes, all students study PE. We have a Multi-Use Games Area on the UTC site. In addition a new sports pitch and changing facilities will open on site in May 2022.

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The UTC is controlled by a trust with directors of the company constituted under the Memorandum and Articles of the Academy Trust and drawn from directors from the partner organisations. Directors are also members of the Governing Body that is made up of governors representing both the Sponsors, local business associated to engineering and construction and local interests.

The governors have a strategic role in the running of the school, acting as custodian of the ethos and values, establishing targets with the Principal and ensuring that the Trust is operated in a sound and business-like manner.

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Attending the UTC allows students to study subjects they are really interested in, taught in state of the art facilities by teachers with real life practical technical experience. This means that, by the age of 16, students’  technical skills are far in advance of those students in a standard secondary school.

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No, the Energy Coast UTC is part of government-funded education and is funded in the same way as an Academy with control over its own finances.

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By the age of 14, students have followed 9 – 10 years of the national curriculum, giving them a very broad education. At this age it is possible to increase the focus on technical subjects, whilst still keeping sufficient curriculum breadth.

All students in year 10 and 11 study English Language, English Literature, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, PSHE, and C, RE and PE as well as their technical subjects.

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All students at the Energy Coast UTC are supported to reach their potential. The UTC will nurture a culture where success in every field of endeavour is valued and celebrated.

Increasing, enhancing and developing the literacy and numeracy of all students will be a high priority. Students with particular needs, including SEN and / or other disabilities will be enabled to thrive in this culture. Their needs will be identified quickly through thorough screening and induction on entry to the UTC and, in many cases, beforehand. They will benefit from rigorous identification and assessment so that their learning opportunities are well matched to their needs and aspirations.

Students will have appropriate support including adaptation of teaching approaches and learning materials and the provision of specialist equipment and materials when necessary. Students’ progress will be carefully monitored and tracked so that appropriate intervention can be made without delay and the learning programmes adapted where necessary to ensure that progress is accelerated and maintained.

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The typical class size within the UTC will be 24 for theory and practical sessions falling to 12-18 for vocational sessions.

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At the UTC we operate a typical year based system like any other UTC or college, led by a Head of Year whose role is to ensure that students receive all the support they need to address and remove barriers to education and to flourish as confident learners.

When students join the UTC, they will be allocated to forms. Not only will these form the organisational core of the students welfare and development system but they will be the basis of Employability Skills activities that promote the key competencies of communication, time management, planning of self and others, teamwork and enterprise, to name but a few.

A Personal Learning Manager will provide guidance and advice to ensure that students really benefit from all that is on offer. They are also the key point of contact for parents. In addition to this, they encourage the enterprise culture and promote social moral well-being. Tutors will play a central role in students’ personal and academic development. There will be a particular focus on ensuring that new students gain the necessary literacy and social skills and self-confidence to settle quickly.

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Once we have received your application the Admissions Officer will contact you to acknowledge receipt. We will then keep you up to date with events and activities via our newsletter.

We will also arrange for a one to one meeting with the Principal or a member of the Senior Leadership Team so that you have an opportunity to discuss any queries or issues you may have and ensure you and your child are fully aware of the requirements of the UTC.

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Where, in any year, the UTC receives more applications for places than there are places available, a waiting list will operate until the end of December; i.e. the Christmas break. The waiting list will be maintained by the UTC and it will be open to any parent/carer to ask for their applicant’s name to be placed on the waiting list following an unsuccessful application. Where places become vacant they will be allocated to applicants on the waiting list in accordance with the UTC’s Admissions Policy criteria.

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Have More Questions?

If your question is not answered here, contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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