Energy Coast UTC
We are proud to have been selected to open the first UTC in Cumbria based on an energy specialism. This is the first in a brand new educational concept in West Cumbria, focused on delivering high-quality engineering and construction – a University Technical College. Our vision is to energise our young people and Britain’s Energy Coast through innovative, vocationally-focused education and training. We aim to achieve high standards and excellence so as to ensure our students have every chance to be successful, whether they continue into further education, or move to further learning in the world of work. We will provide a worldclass educational experience, which has been specifically designed to ensure our young people achieve their potential and develop the key life skills essential for success in the world of work and in society.
Gary Jones Biography Gary was born in North Wales and is a Welsh speaker. He was educated at Glan Clwyd Comprehensive School, North East Wales Institute (Diploma in Design), Sheffield Hallam University (BEd). Upon graduating in 1994 Gary began his academic career at St Helen’s School, Northwood, where he taught Systems & Control Technology. In 1997 he moved to the Royal Grammar School, Guildford were he was appointed Head of Year and then Head of Department. In 2004 Gary moved to Bedford Modern School to set up a Faculty of Technology. Whilst at BMS Gary also took a lead in the development and integration of STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) initiatives within the school. This lead to the development and implementation of a range of employer engagements designed to help contextualise pupils learning.
At The Energy Coast UTC (ECUTC), the curriculum and learning techniques will be unique, allowing students to combine theory with practical activities – putting learning into practice in our purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities.
In 2010 Gary was appointed Vice Principal
Our students will all benefit from a wide range of extension activities, allowing them exceptional opportunities to pursue many different interests outside the main curriculum. The UTC’s hours will be based on a business like model rather than the conventional school day, with the curriculum and shape of the day designed so as to encourage a structured and effective use of time.
with the Defence Academy of the United
(Academic) at Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College, taking up his position in January 2011. Upon taking up the post Gary worked closely Kingdom and the Armed Services to improve the recruitment and training pipeline for potential Engineering and Technical Officers. In turn this lead to improved progression rates from the College into university. Gary lives with his wife, Angela, and two children, Madeleine, aged 10 and Rory, aged 7.
Gary Jones Principal Designate
UTC Ethos:A ‘can do, will do’ attitude Successful teams and team leadership Confident and resilient learners, ready for the world of work Creative, caring and enterprising Pursuit of technical and academic Excellence Equality of Opportunity for all
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His interests include rugby, outdoor activities, cooking and travel.
DID YOU KNOW? 82% of construction employers in Cumbria are more likely to recruit young people with work ready skills
About Us In September 2014 we will open the Energy Coast UTC. This will offer a new concept in education for 14 -19 year olds in West Cumbria and will focus on specialist technical training alongside traditional academic education. The energy based curriculum will be inspired by employer requirements for a future workforce, designed by our partners at GEN II training, Lakes College and the University of Cumbria, and delivered by experts with backgrounds in industry and teaching. The Energy Coast UTC curriculum will specialise in the Energy Sector with a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), sustainability and clean technologies. We will also focus on modern construction techniques and methods along with traditional craft skills. Represented industries within the Energy Coast UTC will include nuclear, construction, engineering, manufacturing, clean technologies and utilities. The initial intake will be 80 (14-16 year old) students and 60 (16-19 year old) students. By 2018 there should be just over 560 students in the UTC. Academic and vocational training will take place within the Energy Coast Campus site; in the newly constructed UTC building at Lillyhall, Workington, the Energy Coast Construction Skills Centre and facilities at Lakes College and the world class engineering facilities within ENERGUS.
What makes the Energy Coast UTC different? Exciting and engaging engineering and construction curriculum State of the art building with excellent industry standard facilities 21st century ICT facilities Mathematics and science learning which relates to the business, engineering and construction world Extensive enrichment programme Mentoring for all students Mature, independent and business like environment Excellent progression opportunities into careers in engineering and construction Learning and working with key industrial partners to develop employability skills and achieve excellence in energy engineering and construction
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The Curriculum The ECUTC will have two specialisms linked to Energy: Engineering and Construction. Sited within the Energy Coast Campus and reflecting the needs and aspirations of the area and the wider energy sector in the UK and beyond, we will provide a first class opportunity for industry and learners to develop the high quality technical skills needed to meet the challenges of current and future energy production and management. The established nuclear industry, anticipated nuclear new build, renewable and sustainable energy sources, lower carbon drivers, environmental considerations and the requirements for innovation and highly skilled participants provide the demand which will drive learning and development within the ECUTC. Engineering and STEM subjects will provide students with excellent technical education and practical application within the many aspects of the Energy Sector. This will include nuclear, on and off-shore wind farming, tidal and hydro, bio-mass, anaerobic digestion and solar forms of energy production. This will be complimented by construction training related to the civil engineering aspects of energy and infrastructure projects, and the developing fields of photovoltaic, ground and air source heat pumps, and green construction techniques. The breadth and reach of the ECUTC will support the development of highly skilled apprentices and the future “technician class” needed by the sector, together with high quality skills in design, creativity and innovation, research and science; all of which will support direct progression into full and part-time higher studies across a range of disciplines related to Energy and Engineering.
14 TO 16 YEAR OLDS The core national curriculum requirements will be provided. The split of time between general education/bridging core studies and technical studies is 60:40 respectively. 16 TO 19 YEAR OLDS Post-16 students will be able to continue with their studies. If students choose to continue fulltime study at the UTC the split of time between general education/bridging core studies and technical studies will be 40:60 respectively. The technical study will become more specialised and job-related and the content should not only lead to a technical qualification but also to a professional qualification
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Students will follow a dramatically different curriculum, delivered in a professional environment, which will equip them with a combination of social and practical skills; all with an underlying focus on employability. ECUTC students will be taught an innovative blend of general and technical studies through courses informed by our educational partners and employer sponsors. Students will study core subjects of English, Maths, Sciences, PE/ Sport, Geography, ICT and a Modern Foreign Language at Key Stage 4 level. Those that continue to Key Stage 5 will have core studies in Maths, Business and Science. For their technical education, students will specialise in Energy Engineering or Sustainable Construction. Core and technical studies will be integrated so that, for example, GCSE maths content will be delivered within engineering or construction teaching Students will work towards GCSE, BTEC, AS and A Level qualifications for their core studies. They will gain confidence in and recognition of their technical expertise through accredited industry recognised qualifications. Regular work experience, ‘live’ employer-defined projects, apprenticeships and mentorship from employer representatives will be integrated into the curriculum to support student development. The most important quality for students is that they should have a passion and commitment for learning about the technical aspects of engineering and construction in the engineering industry. The Energy Coast UTC students will be engaged in an innovative blend of learning combining general academic and technical studies within courses informed by our educational partners and employer sponsors. Gifted and Talented students will be identified and will have learning activities, challenges and opportunities for personalised and differentiated to meet their learning needs. Gifted and Talented students will receive due attention through an enriched curriculum, extra – curriculum courses and opportunities for accelerated and advance studies, supporting the development of their individual skills and talents. Students with particular needs, including SEN and / or other disabilities will be enabled to thrive in this culture. Their needs will be identified quickly through thorough screening and induction on entry to the UTC and, in many cases, beforehand. They will benefit from rigorous identification and assessment so that their learning opportunities are well matched to their needs and aspirations. Students will have appropriate support including adaptation of teaching approaches and learning materials and the provision of specialist equipment and materials when necessary.
As a high intensity energy user, we are becoming increasingly focused and specialist in renewable generation of energy, investing significantly in future power generation needs of our plant. A University Technical College with a focus on energy technology will be increasingly important to us in the future as well as for the wider economy of West Cumbria where many of us live as well as work. Jonny Lowe, Head of HR, Iggesund Paperboard Ltd
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Student Recruitment Admissions Policy The Energy Coast UTC will adopt Learner recruitment (Admissions) practices and publish arrangements that are fully compliant with the Schools Admissions Code, the Schools Admission Appeals Code and admissions law as it applies to maintained schools. The admissions policy is designed to ensure that students from across Allerdale and Copeland have an equal chance of entry. Refer to the website for further information on admissions.
Applications Process Initially register your interest at www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Following registration, an application form will be required to be completed. The ECUTC will provide information, advice and guidance to all prospective students and parents at events and on a one to one basis during the application process. We recommend that students and their parents/carers also attend events which will be organised in order to gain further information on the ECUTC and view the facilities.
Timetable The curriculum will be based on a 40 week, 5 term model. All core and project work will take place during 4 terms. One of the terms will be used for enrichment activities, accelerated learning, extended project work, work related learning, visits and personal assignment work for students. Students will be encouraged to get involved in enterprise activities and to develop their leadership skills. Teaching and learning will be arranged over a 5 day a week timetable and the day will closely resemble a working day: beginning at 8:30am; ending at 5:15pm (4:15pm on Friday). That means little or no homework outside the UTC day. For further information go to www.energycoastutc.co.uk
BECBC recognises that the development of a UTC, centred on responding to the economic opportunity on Britain’s Energy Coast would be an important part of the education and training infrastructure in West Cumbria and most importantly in producing a workforce that meets the requirements of its businesses in the future. Jonathan Marshall Past Chairman, Britain’s Energy Coast™ Business Cluster
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Stakeholder Engagement The ECUTC will actively seek stakeholder engagement in the development of The Energy Coast UTC and buildings. We will hold meetings, formal and informal, with stakeholders to elicit their views. Via the website we will keep stakeholders up to date on progress. Below are some of the key stakeholders we will be working closely with:-
Parents Parental engagement will be one of the UTC highest priorities as we believe the ECUTC will achieve its greatest success by establishing consistent and productive partnerships with parents and carers, so that they can be strongly engaged with their child’s learning. We will discuss with parents and carers the precise ways in which the ECUTC can help them support their child’s learning. The UTC will provide tailored guidance and information, through a range of media; careers information, advice and guidance of the highest quality; and will seek to strengthen students’ pathways from college to work; or to further and higher education.
Employers A key defining characteristic of learning will be the focus upon applying learning with a multi-disciplinary approach supported by employers and directly linked to industrial application. The ECUTC Energy Projects Programme will encourage and foster team working and leadership skills and develop excellence in communications skills through an assignment-based team approach. Each project will have at least one industry sponsor and will engage industry representatives in aspects of planning, delivery and assessment. Some projects will run across the entire ECUTC each term, with groups at the same level working together, while several larger projects will run during the entire year and engage learners across the ECUTC at all levels.
Local Schools The ECUTC will continue to work collaboratively with other local schools and work experience providers, thus facilitating a joined up approach to education with the curriculum offer that is capable of meeting the needs of all its students. The ECUTC will work with students and their families prioritising successful transitions from local secondary schools to the ECUTC. In particular the ECUTC will work with apprenticeship, further education and higher education institutions to support its students from adolescence and into adult life.
Local Services and Providers The Academy will work with a range of statutory bodies such as the Police, the Education Welfare Service, Cumbria Youth Support Service as well as voluntary groups. The ECUTC will expect to play its part in the development of extended services under the local Children’s Trust and also to contribute appropriately to Cumbria Children’s and Young person’s Plan.
DID YOU KNOW? In the period February - April 2013, the most common vacancies in Cumbria were for mechanical engineering
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DID YOU KNOW? UTC’s are employer led and university supported more than 400 companies and 45 universities are now supporting UTCs
Gary Jones, Principal Designate Energy Coast UTC 01900 605665 nichola.fraser@cumbria.ac.uk
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