Views on a new UTC in Bristol for 14-19 year olds

[jstradling]

I am seeking parental views on the launch of a UTC in Bristol (near Templemeads Station) for 14-19 year olds interested in careers in digital technology and engineering which would open in September 2017. There is already a UTC near Parkway Station,Bristol Technology and Engineering Academy, serving North Bristol and South Glos which is oversubscribed. This would be a sister UTC. More details are on the attached file. Please let me know your views, particularly if you have a child who would be 14 in 2017.
Vision
• Preparing 14-19 year-olds for further study, apprenticeships and university – and ultimately employment – in the digital technology and engineering sectors
• Transferring at 14 to a dedicated school that will feel more like an industrial workplace than a school
• Offer a different way of learning: while gaining their core GCSEs and diplomas , young people would also gain important transferable skills for employment through a work-based and project-based approach

Why?
• To offer young people a career-focused and more direct alternative
• Facilities to inspire students and gear them up for employment – with practical skills, qualifications, and a work-focused mindset
• Shape for their future career at an early age through end-to-end involvement from employers. Employers involved in designing and delivering the curriculum, real work experience, mentoring and support, industry visits, sponsoring equipment, mock interviews etc
• Clear routes/pathways to study and employment
• To encourage greater participation, especially from women and ethnic minorities who are currently under represented in these industries

Question 1: Do you think this is a good idea?

Any comments?

Further details:
• To serve a wide radius across Bristol and physically located near Templemeads Station – with excellent transport links
UWE, Rolls Royce ,Airbus, Aardman Animations and City of Bristol College are sponsoring
• What makes it different? Achieve not only core qualifications but gain skills in a real context and gear up to working life, through involvement from UWE and employers
• Purpose-built with open and flexible spaces and specialist facilities
• Specific expertise from university teaching staff
• Support and mentoring: employers shaping the curriculum to ensure it is suitable for the future

Question 2: is this something you would consider for your child if they were the right age and they were interested in a career in digital technology or engineering?

Why yes or why no?

[Heels99]

Can they do a levels or only gcses and 'diplomas' as it sounds like the old technical colleges for the less academic from the way you describe it. How are they being prepared for uni if they aren't doing a levels? Will there be a 16 plus facility? Can they transfer there at 16? Is it designed for the less able?

[jstradling]

The UTC will have a sixth form and does A levels. It is aimed at academic students as well and aims to enable students to progress to engineering and technology degrees. There is significant emphasis on Maths and Science as these are core GCSeS required by the employer sponsors. It will have a similar curriculum to the Bristol Technology and Engineering Academy which you can see on ://www.bteacademy.co.uk/Curriculum/.
BTE academy is at the end if it's first year but expects to have very high GCSE grades and A level results.

[penguinfeet73]

I had already heard about the UTC up at Parkway and think it is a great idea. It is already on my radar as a possible option for my child (who will be 14 in 2018). A site at Temple Meads would be good as that is another accessible location. If the Parkway programme is already oversubscribed then it would make sense to create more places, I think there is / will be plenty of job opportunities in these sectors in the future.

The idea of having more technical GCSE choices seems attractive to us - my husband and I are in technical jobs and it seems as though my child's strengths will lie there too. At our catchment secondary I was a little dismayed to discover that the children only get 3 fairly conventional GCSE choices, and are forced to adhere to the EBacc - that feels like a one-size fits all approach. I think it is valuable to have alternatives, including ones that are still sufficiently rigorous academically. I like the sound of the compulsory 3hrs of enrichment activities. The employer / university involvement angle sounds attractive too - I'd be interested to find out quite how far deep this actually runs, how involved and engaged the students feel with them and vice versa - but definitely a step (or steps) in the right direction IMHO.

[pinkfluffypompomhat]

Just received a letter from school about this linking to a survey. Who are you, Bristol Council? Neither letter, survey or this post tell me who wants to know my opinion.....

[crazymum53]

I was wondering the same thing. If you set up a proper on-line survey, I may be prepared to fill it in.
It wouldn't be an option for us though as our children are too old.
In my experience though, very few parents move their children in Y10, unless they are really unhappy with the current school.

[user1483732237]

Well looks like this didn't happen! And the original UTC over-subscribed?? Definitely don't think THAT is the case. PR puff.

[catslife]

There were a few other bidders for a new secondary school in the Enterprise Zone and another provider was chosen for 11-16 provision.
but there have been further delays www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristols-newest-biggest-secondary-school-482023.
University of Bristol are now wanting to build a satellite campus in this area.
The Patchway UTC seems to have a Good OFSTED rating in 2105 despite no exam results!