UTC Warrington WANTS You!
What is a UTC? Where is that? Two of the most common questions asked when I have introduced someone to UTC Warrington. “It’s that big building with the different size windows opposite the station” is how I usually describe it. There is more to UTC Warrington than a lush exterior.
Recently, I was struck by a blog by Neil Patterson (Principal of Silverstone UTC) in which he describes the challenges facing UTCs in recruiting students. Sure, there are those schools and colleges who will try and rid themselves of what could be described as their poorest attaining students. Neil describes how parents have been encouraged by their child’s previous school to apply for a place at a UTC. In many circumstances, UTCs up and down the land have transformed the prospects of previously disruptive students by offering them a vocational, hands on approach to learning. In our eyes this is a true success and a real reflection on what a University Technical College can do for young people.
UTC Warrington is new; less than a year since we opened our doors but even longer in stages of planning the college. What makes us stand out from the crowd of other schools and sixth forms in the local area? Employers are behind us. The engineering sector needs nearly 200,000 more skilled workers over the next few years. Our employer partners including Stanley Engineering, Rolls Royce, and Sellafield come to us with their ideas of providing students with the skills that fit their requirements. Our relationship with employer partners is something that I have never seen demonstrated elsewhere in the capacity that UTC Warrington provides. These companies come into our college, our workshop, our classrooms to deliver masterclasses, tutorials and practical work to our 14-19 year olds. As a result, we have some of the best work-based enrichment around which has already resulted in a number of students being offered apprenticeships. For us, this is a massive success. We have seen students turn themselves around and focus their attention on a passion they can fully develop.
A UTC isn’t just about coming to school and donning a jacket in the state-of-the-art workshop. Much of our curriculum remains as classroom based as other local schools and sixth forms, as Neil Patterson alludes to. We are incredibly unique in the facilities we offer – the vast ground floor workshop; robotic suites; laser cutters; Fujitsu sponsored computers – but it is important to note that our students still come to UTC Warrington to learn core subjects alongside learning the practical skills for a career in science, engineering, and technology. 
Neil is right in suggesting not enough is known about UTCs. New government legislation will allow us to go into local schools to discuss what a UTC is, how it is different, and equally how it is not something that is completely strange. We believe as students reach year 11 (going into year 12), they are becoming aware of what their interests and passions are. We also believe students will understand what sort of a learner they are. By allowing us to go into local schools and discuss the positive options available to young people, we are providing our new generation of engineers, pioneers, and leaders a helping hand in understanding what is available in a world that has many paths and routes to reach an ultimate goal. The government has assisted in advising local authorities to write to the parents of year 9 students (going into year 10) to provide them with the information, case studies, and background to the world of UTC learning.
UTC Warrington offers a unique curriculum in a unique environment with the very best equipment and facilities on offer. As I say, UTCs are a fairly new concept and so stigma can arise surprisingly quickly. However, with these new measures to make the UTC option more public and open, we are confident that a strong wave of new students will choose to come to UTC Warrington rather than being pushed out by a previous school. A UTC education is not for everybody but it can develop a young person’s passion, help focus their mind, and provide them with real exposure to an industry that needs more skilled workers.
Come along to UTC Warrington on enrolment day (Thursday 24th August) for more information. Our open event is on Thursday 28th September for students considering joining us in September 2018.
Neil Patterson’s blog can be read at: https://www.lkmco.org/university-technical-colleges-selection-response/