UTC Health Futures

[sarrob6]

Considering taking my son out of a very good local school, albeit an unremarkable place with not what I would consider to be "engaged" teaching staff (not their fault).
He is in Yr 9,very happy there and results are good. But have been looking into a new UTC opening Sept 2015, it sounds a fantastic opportunity, the specialism being the Health Service, I feel really drawn to sending my son there - and he is also happy to go, BUT would like to hear views of anyone out there who has already taken "leap of faith" with their child as it is such a new concept in education.

I would appreciate all views. Many thanks.

You must be near me OP.

Actually I teach Health and Social Care in FE and I have been saying for years the school leaving age should be 14, but education should continue and that I wanted to get 14 year olds in to FE colleges.

This is as close to my pet theory as education is likely to get.

I would be asking them about their recruitment of staff, most of us who teach in FE do it as a second career and often after a first one in the NHS. I hope they recruit some of us for the health teaching.

I think there is going to be a lot of money put in to this school but I can't really offer any advice based on fact.

Thanks sashh - much appreciated and some great pointers

On all the roadshows I have attended the guest speakers have been health care professionals ie paramedic, midwife, pharmacist - and are all backing this form of education 100% - I have grilled the Head Designate (a fab choice) on the matter of staff and he is promising to deliver a top notch teaching team who actually want to teach to an exceptional standard - it all just sounds so perfect but as yet unproven.....they are about to start recruitment advertising

And yes they have the funding, but as yet an unfinished building....

I am not afraid of taking risks but my sons education is just so important to me that I need all the calculations to be correct...

And yes they have the funding, but as yet an unfinished building....

One I currently pass on my way to and from work.

Check out the DfE website for their first set of results. Well below average progress, 24% achieved a good pass in maths & English & persistent absence running at 25% - all direct quotes from the website. Probably one of the worst 300 schools in England.