The start of the 2019-20 academic year has got off to a great start! Our new year groups of students are full and oversubscribed again. In fact, over 200 new students have joined us from around 70 different schools and colleges across the whole Solent region. I continue to be impressed by students wanting to travel some distance and by whatever means to get the specialised STEM education they have been seeking.
Our very inclusive culture means that you only need a keen and genuine passion for STEM to have a chance of success at UTC Portsmouth. Students are told from the first day they join that each of their individual talents and needs are appreciated. Our students enjoy high quality learning in a great environment and in return we help them in being the best they can be in gaining the following employability skills (or STEM learning habits as we refer to them): Curiosity, Creative Problem Solving, Resilience, Responsibility, Teamwork and Communication.
Our purpose
Recently we had another look at our college vision in the light of our experiences over the first two years of the life of the college. We still stand for the same values today as we did when the college first opened two years ago. However, the college vision needed to be shorter and easier to remember. Here is the final product and we hope everyone at least remembers the two main headings:
UTC Portsmouth is UNIQUE
we make ordinary STEM education extraordinary
we cultivate a community of challenge, aspiration and innovation
we offer real-life experiences, relevant learning and future pathways with the support of our close partners
All students will be VITAL
they excel academically and technically
they acquire life skills to be work-ready
they take professional pride in achieving
they aim to change the world
UTC Portsmouth Staff
I am delighted to announce that my brilliant team of staff has grown in size again as the college has expanded. In a time when schools and colleges across the country are experiencing chronic shortages of specialist staff, I am proud to say that UTC Portsmouth is fully staffed with experts in every field of study. We welcome the following new additions to our team of teachers:
Mr Warwick (Computer Science), Miss Belcher (Science), Ms Bush (Science), Mrs Brice (Maths), Mrs Jepson (English and Head of Sixth Form), Ms Ryder (English), Mr Arthur (PE/Assistant Head of KS4).
Congratulations to students in Years 11 and 13 on their summer exam results
If you read or heard the headlines in the press or on the radio during August you will know that our students did very well:
The pass rate at A Level (including all equivalent L3 courses) was a stunning 99.1%. 100% was achieved in maths, further maths, science and engineering. 70% of students achieved good passes. More importantly, every student leaving Year 13 has gone on to either university or started an apprenticeship with one of our employer partners
The first cohort of Year 11 students also performed very well in their GCSE exams, far exceeding UTC averages in every category. Our specialist STEM teachers, had only two years to work with these students towards their GCSEs, but has produced some fantastic results, particularly in Maths and Sciences. 77% of the 80 strong cohort achieved a grade 4 or above in Maths, with 56% achieving a 5 or above. Grades in the sciences were also strong with 78% achieving a grade 4 or above in Biology and 66% a 5 or above, 88% getting a grade 4 or above in Chemistry and 59% a 5 or above, and 83% achieving a grade 4 in Physics and 51% a 5 or above.
Many Year 11 students have therefore ‘made the grades’ to continue their education in the UTC Portsmouth sixth form whilst others have mainly joined many of our employer partners.
When we compare how very well UTC Portsmouth students have performed compared with other similar STEM providers nationally, it is a clear indication that for students with a passion for STEM in the Solent region, UTC Portsmouth provides an appropriate curriculum and delivers great outcomes.
These successes are a testament to the diligence of students and the commitment of an exceptionally hard working staff team
Student Destinations
We are delighted to announce that all of our leavers have gone on to exciting and meaningful destinations. Thank you to all of our partners for the roles they have played in the following achievements:
⅔ of students to university
⅓ of students to apprenticeships
Over ½ of students are continuing their education or training with one of the college’s partners
Forthcoming Open Events
Entry to Year 10 September 2020. All parents of Year 9 students hear from their local education authority in September that UTC Portsmouth will open up applications to those wishing to join the college next year. Our prospectus is on our website and we will also be holding open events so that families can come along and see for themselves.
Year 10 Open Evening Wednesday September 25, 5-7pm
Year 10 Open morning Saturday September 28, 10am-12pm
Entry to the Sixth Form in September 2020
Our Sixth Form prospectus is on our website and we will also be holding open events so that families can come along and see what we have on offer for themselves.
Year 12 Open evening Monday October 7, 5-7pm
Year 12 Open evening Wednesday November 20, 5-7pm
Year 12 Open week begins from Monday December 2 during college hours. There is a sixth form taster event on December 4, 3-5pm (by invitation only)
Please reserve your places for one of the above events here. Please note that for all the above events there is no onsite parking available.
Other important dates this term for your diary
‘Meet the Tutor’ evening for parents of new students (Years 10 and 12)- Wednesday 18 September
11 parents evenings 9th and 16th October
Year 13 parents evenings 9th and 16th October
Year 13 mock exams- 2 weeks beginning 4th November
Year 11 mock exams- 2 week beginning 18th November
Year 10 data reports- end of November
During December:
Year 11 written reports
Year 13 written reports
Year 12 data reports
2019-20 Term Times - can be found here.
INSET Days (College Closure Days):
Friday 27th September 2019
Monday 4th November 2019
Monday 25th November 2019
Monday 13th January 2020
Friday 27th March 2020