UTC Swindon has today announced that it is in the process of joining the Activate Learning Education Trust.
The UTC, which specialises in engineering and business entrepreneurship for students aged 14-19, will become the fifth school to join the multi-academy trust. Other members include UTC Reading – the first UTC to be rated outstanding across all areas – UTC Oxfordshire, The Bicester School and Bicester Technology Studio.
The move follows the creation of a new post of Executive Principal, to bring additional leadership capacity to the UTC. Joanne Harper, who is also Principal of UTC Reading, has taken up the role after supporting the UTC in her capacity as a National Leader for Education since November.
Current Principal, Angela Barker-Dench, has been unwell for some time and in her absence Jon Oliver will work alongside Joanne as Acting Principal
It also follows the publication of UTC Swindon’s first Ofsted inspection report, which recognises that the quality of teaching, learning and assessment needs to improve in order to increase student progress and attainment. This led to the UTC being given an overall grade 4.
Joanne said: “I have been working with the UTC Swindon team since the autumn term and together we have already made significant progress against the areas highlighted in the inspection report. I am pleased that this was noted by the inspection team, who recognised that leaders have a clear picture of what needs to be done to improve.
“We are clearly not there yet and more needs to be done to ensure that UTC Swindon is a good school which offers the very best learning experience and outcomes for its students.
“Since joining the UTC I have been particularly impressed by our students’ attitudes and enthusiasm for learning. This, coupled with the availability of excellent facilities, was highlighted as strengths by the inspection team and gives us a good foundation on which to build.
“By working with our staff, students, parents and partners we can raise standards to ensure that the school delivers the first-class education it has been designed for.”
As a member of the Activate Learning Education Trust, UTC Swindon will benefit from enhanced leadership and management and will also be able to share the experiences and expertise of other members.
Lee Nicholls, Executive Director for the Activate Learning Education Trust, said: “We are pleased to welcome UTC Swindon to the trust. The UTC has all the ingredients required to develop young people for successful careers in leading local industries. I am confident that, with the right support, it will deliver the improvements required to become a good school.”
