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UTC Swindon
Newsletter – 20th July 2023
Dear all,
Well, what a year this has been for all the students, staff and members of the UTC Swindon family. The changes this year seem subtle as they have been going on all year. But for anyone stepping into the building having not been inside for a year will see just how much has been happening in the last 12 months. The most important changes have been what the students have been able to achieve and the opportunities they have grasped. Lets look back to some of the key events that have happened. Every Friday, as I am sure you are aware, is future Fridays, with employers on site to deliver assemblies and run workshops to showcase what they can offer our students if they choose to work with them. We have had employers such as Mercedes, BMW, Raytheon, Airbus, Rolls Royce, DSTL, The MOD, Air Tanker and the Wiltshire Police Cyber unit just to name a few. The students have interacted with all these prestigious companies and had the opportunity to show off what they can offer also. This has led to many of our students’ gaining apprenticeships with these employers already.
In January we had our employability ready day, where every student had a full interview with an industry partner with feedback. February saw our engineers head off to the Southern manufacturing show in Farnborough. Our close links with the Institute of Engineering and Technology saw 2 teams of year 12 students win prizes for their engineering projects including the Honda civic driving simulator.
Science had multiple trips to Diamond Light source in Oxford where they got to use real data from a particle accelerator in their coursework. English went of their visit to see Macbeth being played at the theatre. Something that hasn’t happened for a few years but certainly embeds their learning in the classroom. Maths went on their visit to the maths conference in Reading to enthuse their students.
In March we had the Amazon challenge, a national engineering competition delivered form UTC Swindon to schools around the country with a year 10 team making it to the national finals.
We had some prestigious visits with both Lord Baker and Sir Robert Buckland MP coming in for the day to see what we do here.
In March we also had a team of students enter the ALET trophy sailing event where they went to Gosport for the week to learn to sail and enter a race against 2 other schools for the trophy. A trophy we will win next year.
All of this while we have had excellent learning going on in lessons. The students have worked so hard this year to really progress their learning ready for their end of year exams.
Next year is shaping up to be an even better year for all our students. So, rest up for the summer and be ready to come back ready to work hard in September.
Results day
- A level results day is Thursday 17th August. We will be open from 09:30hrs to 12:00 hrs for students to collect their results. Year 12 Maths results will also be available for collection during these times.
- GCSE Results day is Thursday 24th August. Students will be able to pick up their results from 09:30hrs to 12:00 hrs and enrol into the sixth form at the same time.
If students cannot pick up their results in person, they may give permission for a named person to pick up results on their behalf. The student must send an email to the exams officer: Tiffanie Gottfried (TGottfried@utcswindon.co.uk) confirming the name of the person who will be collecting their results. People who are collecting results must bring a form of photo ID with them on results day so we can verify their identity.
Looking ahead to September
Before we all head off on our summer break, just a reminder about the start of term in September. Our new Year 12’s will be joining us from 8.30am on Tuesday 5th September, giving them a chance to settle into school before the rest of the school return on Wednesday 6th.
Attendance
There is a clear correlation between attendance and attainment, and we are committed to supporting your student to achieve the best outcomes. School attendance is one of our key priorities. There have been two very difficult years due to Covid, which has had a huge impact not only on students’ physical health, but their mental health too. The government recognises this, but is also clear that we must listen, understand and empathise, but not tolerate poor attendance at school. We work closely with families to understand the barriers causing poor school attendance and ensure all necessary support is in place to minimise the impact of these barriers. If you are experiencing any difficulties with regards to your student’s attendance, please contact us as soon as possible.
Penalty Notices for Term-Time Holidays
Please read the following letter with regards to penalties for taking term time holidays: Penalty Notices for Term-Time Holidays
New Branded PE Polo Tops
UTC Swindon vs UTC Oxfordshire Sports Day
UTC Swindon competed against UTC Oxfordshire in the annual Sports Day event at the County Ground Swindon. Everyone really tried their best with our students winning many events and our Sixth Form managing to beat the Oxfordshire team. A great day was had by all!
Visit to BMW Mini
Last week our students had the opportunity to visit BMW Mini in Swindon. We were looked after by some of their apprentices who were excellent hosts and very knowledgeable. They took the time to explain all the different aspects of the plant to our students. It was lovely to see how interested the apprentices themselves were in areas of the factory that they don't normally work in such as the sub-assembly area.
It was an excellent opportunity to see for real the processes and equipment that we teach here at UTC Swindon. It makes such a difference to see the scale that they are working at and experience the noise and smell of the factory. Our students also benefitted from seeing equipment that they are familiar with being used in an industrial environment.
The trip has really inspired some of our students to apply for the BMW Mini apprenticeship scheme.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Archaeology In The Park
Ever wondered how archaeologists decide where to put their trenches? Ever wondered how they reconstruct past civilisations from a handful of broken pottery? Ever wondered whether YOU would make a good archaeologist? Well now's your chance to find out. Join in between the 8th and 10th of September for a public archaeology excavation in GWR Park in the Railway Village, Swindon. More details here: Heritage Open Days: Archaeology In The Park
CyberFirst
Are you enthusiastic about technology and interested in exploring and expanding what you know about staying safe online? CyberFirst’s programme of free face-to-face and online summer courses could be just the thing to develop essential skills and bring a fresh purpose to your break.
The CyberFirst Defenders, Futures and Advanced courses are for 14 to 17-year-olds. You’ll learn all kinds of practical insights into digital safety and how everyday technology really works. Course content will be delivered in our usual fun and interesting way, and you’ll get to meet lots of like-minded students.
More information can be found here;
CyberFirst Defenders - https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/cyberfirst-defenders?utm_source=Launch&utm_medium=UTC&utm_campaign=Defenders&utm_id=CyberFirst+2023
CyberFirst Futures - https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/cyberfirst-futures?utm_source=Launch&utm_medium=UTC&utm_campaign=Futures&utm_id=CyberFirst+2023
CyberFirst Advanced - https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/cyberfirst-Advanced?utm_source=Launch&utm_medium=UTC&utm_campaign=Advanced&utm_id=CyberFirst+2023
Social Media
Please do join our Parent Facebook Group, this is a community page, giving you the opportunity to meet, help each other and discuss anything related to UTC Swindon. Please be aware that this should not be used to liaise directly with the school. You can join the group here: UTC Swindon Parents Group
Please also remember to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as this helps with our marketing and publicity.
Boom Battle Bar
Boom Battle Bar are offering a free round of crazier golf in Swindon. So if you are looking for an exciting and safe family activity day this is the one for you. You can download the voucher here: Boom Battle Bar free round of crazier golf.
Dates for the diary
- Friday 21st July – Last day of term. School will finish at 12.50
- Thursday 17th August – A level results day - Students will be able to pick up results from 09:30hrs to 12:00 hrs
- Thursday 24th August - GCSE results day - Students will be able to pick up their results from 09:30hrs to 12:00 hrs and enrol into the sixth form. Further communication about enrolment will be sent in due course
Term dates: Academic year 2023-24
Autumn Term 1: Tuesday 5 September 2023 Year 12 only – Wednesday 18 October 2023. Whole school in attendance from Wednesday 6th September 2023
- Autumn Term 2: Monday 30 October 2023 – Wednesday 20 December 2023
- Spring Term 1: Wednesday 10 January 2024 – Friday 9 February 2024
- Spring Term 2: Monday 19 February 2024 – Thursday 28 March 2024
- Summer Term 1: Tuesday 16 April 2024 – Friday 24 May 2024
- Summer Term 2: Monday 3 June 2024 – Wednesday 24 July 2024
Further details can be found on our website: Term Dates
Have a fantastic break, see you in September!
Best wishes
Neil