Principal's Blog - January 2018
UTC Portsmouth: Excellence in STEM Education
Surveys
We are at the halfway point in the 2017-2018 academic year. This is a very good time to reflect on how the college is doing. We completed surveys with staff and students before Christmas and these were most beneficial is helping us to identify areas of strengths and areas for further work or consideration. This kind of feedback is invaluable especially for a college starting up such as ours.
In January, parents were asked to complete a survey. We are a community that listens carefully to all of our stakeholders and we are appreciative of the time parents took to complete this survey. The following is a summary of the percentages of parents who either ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ with the statements in the survey:
91% of parents say their son/daughter is happy
100% of parents say their son/daughter is safe
95% of parents say their son/daughter is making good progress
98% of parents say their son/daughter is well looked after
100% of parents say their son/daughter is taught well
95% of parents say their son/daughter receives appropriate independent study work
98% of parents say behaviour at the college is excellent
100% parents say that the college deals effectively with bullying
100% of parents say the college is well lead and managed
100% of parents say the college responds well to concerns
97% of parents say they receive valuable student progress information
100% of parents say the college offers strong links with employer partners
97% of parents say their son/daughter has adapted well to the new environment
100% of parents are pleased their son/daughter came to UTC Portsmouth
100% of parents would recommend UTC Portsmouth to another parent
Congratulations to…..
….the following students who were voted by their peers into these leadership positions:
Ben D- President
Joao D- President
Lauren M- Vice President
Jamie H- Vice President
These students, as well as the other students who went for these positions (Gurgeet S, Freddie W, Zoe B, Michael A and Justin A), ran good campaigns that commenced with speeches to all students in the lecture theatre a week before the elections. We were all so impressed with the quality of their delivery and the thought that went into the details conveyed. Each student really demonstrated skills in communication, responsibility, resilience and teamwork. They should rightly be proud of what they did.
Our new Presidents and Vice Presidents will play an integral part in the leadership of the college. Very soon, other student leadership positions will be filled. Next we are looking for house captains, prefects and a curriculum lead.
Training and enrichment
The short and cold days this winter have not stopped students, staff and our partners from enjoying our full and diverse programme of activities. Thank you very much to everyone involved in the following:
First aid training was delivered to the Sports Leadership and Duke of Edinburgh groups. CPR equipment was given to us following a successful grant application from British Heart Foundation, and some of the training was delivered by St John Ambulance.
A successful Quiz Night organised by a group of Year 10 students
The BAE STEM ambassadors, who turn up and work really eagerly every week, are helping students to build projectile launchers that work with compressed air. We are really looking forward to finishing them and testing them after half term.
HMS Diamond hosted our sixth form engineering diploma students for a tour of the ship. Each department was explained both in terms of its role and how the marine and weapons engineering departments feed into it (supplying power, keeping equipment running, weaponry, loading systems etc).
HMS Excellent hosted a ‘Meet the Marines’ multi-activity day for a large mixed age group of our students. Students thoroughly enjoyed the activities which included high speed boat rides, rock wall climbing, weapons stances and a military physical session!
Summer Ball
We have pencilled in 6th July as the likely date for our first College Ball (but please note this may change). This occasion will be organised entirely by our very capable students, many of whom have already made progress with fundraising activities. More information will follow as the organisers make progress this term.
Student Admissions
UTC Portsmouth has filled its places to join both Year 12 and Year 10 in September. We are now adding to our waiting lists. This is a wonderful position for the college to be in and is a real indication that word has rapidly spread that our college is such a great place for a STEM education.
Ciaran O’Dowda
Principal
Other important dates for the rest of the spring term:
Wednesday 7th March: Year 10 parents evening
Week beginning 19th March: Year 10 Mock exams fortnight
Year 12 reports issued just before the spring break
Other important dates for the summer term:
Week beginning 16th April: Year 12 Mock exams fortnight
23rd and 25th May: CAMNAT exams all week
Year 10 reports issued just before the half term break
Half term 28th May to 1st June
Friday 25th May- INSET Day (college closed)
Monday 4th June: Work Experience week for Year 10
Sports Day: date to be confirmed
Monday 16th July: Work Experience week for Year 12
Friday 20th July: summer term ends