As the days shorten and many of us see the sun far less frequently than we would like, it is always great to hear about as much good news as possible. UTC Portsmouth continues to be a very happy and bright place of learning and some days you would not even notice the Autumn gloom outside.
We have had an unprecedented large number of visitors since the start of term and I am delighted to report that, without exception, people of all ages are impressed by the environment we have created in the college. I frequently hear people saying the college is ‘calm’, ‘ordered’, ‘amazing’, ‘professional’, ‘not what I expected’ or ‘it doesn't look or feel like a normal college’. Most importantly, visitors are incredibly complimentary about the maturity, friendliness, confidence and professionalism of the students.
We are really looking forward to our inaugural Awards Evening this month. This will be a chance for all our recent leavers to be reunited and catch up. They will receive their certificates and, for many, receive a special award from a range on offer. We are very grateful to many of our employer partners who have contributed generously in providing the awards and agreeing to present them. Following the awards evening, a prominent display of our awards winners and the employer partners will take pride of place in the college.
It has been an excellent first couple of months of the new academic year. The students who joined us in September have really settled into their learning and have brilliantly adjusted to a new environment. This in itself is a real triumph as students come to us from over 65 different schools all across the Solent region and this figure is increasing. In addition, students have demonstrated they have bought into our ethos by embracing the six STEM learning habits that are central to what we aim to achieve. At UTC Portsmouth, students are not just supported to gain the best academic grades but also to possess the appropriate life and employability skills for Higher Education and exciting careers in STEM.
It has been great to see so many of our employer partners in college this term. The careers networking event for Year 13 students on 20th November is worth a special mention as it represents one of the main reasons for the college’s existence. At the event, students, who are nearing the conclusion of their sixth form education will be provided with information about real STEM career vacancies with many of our sponsors. Seeing so many of our students getting excited about the prospect of finally using their professional skills in employment with many of our partners later this year is very rewarding indeed. Because so much is happening with our employer partners, we produce a monthly bulletin called ‘The Partnership’ - so please look out for this.
Final Sixth Form Open Event
We have our final Open Evening on 20th November for students wishing to join our Sixth Form in September 2020. Everyone is welcome and all potential students will have an opportunity to find out about the three exciting curriculum pathways we offer; A level pathway, technical pathway or combined pathway. In addition, visitors are free to have a good look around our fabulous and superbly equipped college. Please book a place here to avoid disappointment.
Week beginning 2nd December we will be offering tours of the college during the day for anyone interested in seeing learning taking place. Tours throughout Open College Week can also be booked here. The deadline for sixth form applications is 17th January 2020.
Parent surveys
Before half term we conducted anonymised surveys at both our parents evenings for which we had an excellent turn out from parents. The following results are from parents who answered ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ to the questions:
My child feels safe at college - 100%
My child is well looked after at college - 100%
My child is taught well at the college - 97%
The college deals effectively with bullying - 100%
The college responds well to any concerns I raise - 100%
I have noticed a positive difference in my child being at college - 99%
I am pleased my child chose to come to UTC Portsmouth - 99%
I would recommend this college to another Parent - 100%
This survey is followed up by a parents forum this month during which parents are able to bring up any additional areas that are not included on the survey.
I would like to thank all parents for their continuing, positive involvement. It is really great that the college and parents work together in such a strong partnership.
Iceland
Students visited Iceland in order to extend their geographic, scientific and engineering knowledge and understanding. This was supported by visiting one of the largest geothermal power plants in the world, going to a geothermally powered tomato greenhouse and attending geographic exhibitions such as 'The Perlan' and the 'Lava Centre'.
Highlights for the students included activities such as bathing in natural geothermal pools, trekking up a glacier and caving in a lava tube that only ceased to carry lava a couple of thousand years ago. In addition, students were exposed to the Icelandic culture in various ways; they particularly enjoyed the traditional folk tales told by our guide and the various local landmarks visited in the capital, Reykjavik. They had such an incredible time, they didn't want to leave!
Remembrance
At 11am on 11th November the college fell silent as an act of remembrance and to mark 101 years since the end of WW1. It was a privilege to welcome a professional musician, Mr Andrew Dickens, to the college to play the Last Post and Reveille. It was a moving occasion and one which every student observed with sincerity and respect. It was also lovely to see that a number of our students and staff took part in remembrance parades on Sunday around the local area. In particular, we had musicians take part in marching bands in Horndean, Emsworth and Gosport.
SUN
The Southern Universities Network research group took a number of UTC students away over the half-term to participate in a Young Researcher Programme. It was noticeable that more of our students were selected than from other schools. This is a really great example of how UTC students are encouraged to push themselves- meaning that there is a culture of students always seeking ways to improve, even during half term! Caitlin M (yr11) , Evelyn D (yr10) and Aidan S (yr10) selected for the programme designed to work with enthusiastic students from different local schools to promote research, teamwork and communication skills.
A big ‘Well done!’ to Caitlin M also who was selected as one of five national winners for the Young Writers’ Mission Catastrophe competition.
Year 10 applications
These have nearly closed and it is so reassuring that once again we are heavily oversubscribed. Clearly, our very academic and specialised STEM offer has really captured the imagination and interest of many young people across our very wide catchment area. Allocations will be made and families notified by the end of term or the start of next term. Obviously, with the large number of applications received, we acknowledge that some families may be disappointed that their child has not got a place. Rest assured, students currently in Year 9 will be able to apply again for our sixth form when they reach Year 11.
With very best wishes
Ciaran O’Dowda
Principal