UTC Swindon

Dear all,

This week we have been celebrating the success of our year 13 students Morgan, Morgan B, Sam and Jonny who achieved the third highest score in the UK after completing the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) CityZen Award game, where school teams complete virtual challenges that mirror the way professional civil engineers collaborate and problem-solve. The national game is aimed at encouraging more young people to apply for civil engineering at university or apprenticeship level. Competing against more than 500 students nationwide, the team ‘DramaAlertNation’ won £200 to share with the school.

Well done to them and all those involved, what a fantastic achievement!

Friday was another busy day with Year 11 science practical’s, the rooms were buzzing with enthusiasm for science. Bringing practical’s into the classroom really helps with the learning journey and preparing students for their exams. Well done to all those involved.

Last week we had a visit from Waterman Aspen, not only did they host a careers stand and an assembly but they also ran a walkway collapse session and some problem solving activities for our year 10s. Watermans Aspen also put on a presentation about what it is like to be a woman working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Visits like this really do help transform lives through learning.

Earlier in the month we welcomed Colas into school to share information about their company, early career opportunities and an insight from their current graduates and apprentices. They also ran a physics session on bridge building for our year 10s and an engineering program of our year 12 and 13 students. Colas is an award-winning business, delivering sustainable solutions for the UK’s transport infrastructure. It was a really valuable session and we thank them for taking the time to come in and work with us.

Thank you to all of you who supported our non-uniform day in aid of Comic Relief. With donations and money from the cake sale we raised £157.81.

Our UTC Swindon sailing team got off to a fantastic start this week on the Solent, where they've had a go at helming, tacking, crewing and man overboard drills. Here they are on their home for the week, the 48ft yacht Elizabeth Star.

They will learn so many skills this week, living and working together towards their Competent Crew certificates. The week will finish with a thrilling race against other UTCs in the inaugural ALET cup race!

If you would like to add to the personal fundraising efforts of the team, you can do so here: ALET Sailing Team - Just Giving

SPACE: Free Oxford Brookes University Event - 2nd April, 10 - 12:30

Study Higher is hosting an event at Oxford Brookes University on April 2nd 2023, for parents and carers of students in Years 10 - 13 or equivalent.

Attendees will join sessions that cover:

• Student finance
• How to apply
• University myth busting

As well as go on a Campus tour and chat to Student Ambassadors. To attend, please register your interest via this link.

University Bursary Grant - Wiltshire & Swindon Young People

Wiltshire Community Foundation offers bursaries of £1,600 a year to young people who need support with the costs of studying an undergraduate degree at university. You can find out more here.

Deloitte Year 12

Aspire Work Experience Programme

Virtual: 26th-28th June 2023
Birmingham: 3rd-5th July 2023

Apply: https://pathwayctm.com/opportunity/aspire-programme-deloitte/

Deadline 31st March

University of Surrey Summer School Programmes

June – July

The summer schools are a chance for Year 12 students to experience University life:

Virtual Summer School: https://pathwayctm.com/opportunity/university-of-surrey-year-12-summer-school-programme/

Residential Summer School (Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences): https://pathwayctm.com/opportunity/university-of-surrey-year-12-residential-summer-school-faculty-of-arts-social-sciences/

Residential Summer School (Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences): https://pathwayctm.com/opportunity/77757/

Residential Summer School (Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences):https://pathwayctm.com/opportunity/university-of-surrey-year-12-residential-summer-school-faculty-of-health-medical-sciences/

Deadline 2nd April

University of Bath

July – August

The summer school is a chance for Year 12 students to experience University life:

Discover Bath Residential Summer School

Apply: https://pathwayctm.com/opportunity/year-12-discover-bath-programme/

Deadline 17th April

Based on PPE results, the maths department have developed some intervention sessions to support our year 11 students. The sessions will focus on exam techniques, how to approach exam questions to minimise misconceptions, and further enhance students' problem-solving thinking.

The maths interventions are after school from 15:40 - 16:10, Year 11 set 1 is on Wednesdays and Year 11 set 2 is now on Thursdays. If you would like your student to have this opportunity, please follow the link to give your parental consent: Maths Intervention Consent form.

The Student Leadership Board is providing a variety of enrichment activities to those in the

school community so that students can socially engage in non-curricular activities and have some fun. The timetable for the clubs is as follows:

Each club has a designated leader and room. Equipment is not provided for some of the clubs, such as music and DnD, so participants need to make sure they bring their own items when needed.

Please ask your student to contact any of the Student Board Leaders or Dani for more information

If your student intends to join the DND club, please can you give consent for them to stay after school hours: Parental Consent

Becoming a school governor is an invaluable role, contributing to “transforming lives through learning” of all Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET) learners. This is an extremely rewarding opportunity to make a difference and give something back to the local community. Becoming an ALET governor will allow you to use and develop your skills in a board-level environment. You would also be joining the largest volunteer network force in the country, with over a quarter of a million volunteers governing state funded schools in England.

To become a governor, you must be aged over 18 and have the necessary skills, attributes, and time to positively impact our learners. You do not necessarily need an understanding of education systems to be successful in this role as plenty of training and support is available and school governance benefits from a range of backgrounds such as from business, HR, legal, marketing and property. Our schools and University Technical Colleges in Theale, Bicester, Reading, Didcot, Swindon and Hillingdon need the benefit from a wide range of professional knowledge to provide a balanced and diverse range of knowledge, skill, and experience to be effective. As noted by Ofsted – the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management, which includes the governing body.

Should you wish to discuss what this role entails in more detail, please contact Heledd Walker, Head of Governance and Compliance via email Clerk@alet.org.uk.

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.

• Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th April are INSET days. Students return to school on Wednesday 19th April.
• Monday 8th May 2023 has been confirmed as a Bank Holiday in celebration of the coronation of King Charles
• Monday 15th May up to and including Wednesday 28th June 2023 - Year 11 and Year 13 Exam period
• Thursday 17th August – A level results day
• Thursday 24th August - GCSE results day

• Spring Term 2: Monday 20th February 2023 – Friday 31st March 2023
• Summer Term 1: Wednesday 19th April 2023 – Friday 26th May 2023 – Reflects the INSET days planned on 17th and 18th April.
• Summer Term 2: Monday 5 June 2023 – Friday 21 July 2023

Further details can be found on our website: Term Dates

Enjoy the Spring Break

With good wishes

Neil