OUTSTANDING!

UNIVERSITY Technical College Norfolk is celebrating after our Sixth Form provision was rated Outstanding following an inspection by Ofsted. According to the report, published in March, the school prepares its pupils exceptionally well for employment.

It also gave our school, which specialises in teaching science, technology engineering and maths (STEM), outstanding for behaviour.

Lessons are a “haven of calm”, while students and staff treat one another with respect, inspectors found.

We were rated Good for quality of education, personal development and leadership and management.

The report states: “Pupils participate in an extensive range of encounters with employers. All pupils take part in work experience."

“The school has very high expectations of how well all pupils can achieve. The ambitious curriculum is usually well taught. As a result, pupils often achieve highly."

“Pupils behave exceptionally well. Staff have clear and high expectations of all pupils, and pupils work hard to meet these.”

The report concludes: “Students in the sixth form benefit from an exceptional provision"

“Many students progress into high level and degree apprenticeships and gain employment in leading engineering companies."

“Pupils treat each other and adults with politeness and respect. Lessons are a haven of calm.”

Headteacher Francis Bray said: “We are pleased Ofsted have noted the outstanding provision in our Sixth Form. “Our staff have worked hard to make this school a calm and welcoming learning environment where students can flourish.

“The report rightly points out how well we have prepared our students for the world of work, with lots of engagement with employers."

“We are proud that many of our students are ready to take that step into employment far sooner than those at other school.”

Mr Bray said students at UTCN are 10 times more likely to take up an apprenticeship than at other schools.

About 5% of students nationally take up apprenticeships while at UTCN that number is over half, about 55%.

He said: “That 's10 times as many students pick apprenticeships shows the traditional route of A-levels and university does not fit every student."

“Some go on to university, but many students here are much more suited to apprenticeships where they can earn and learn at the same time.”

The school is run by The Community Schools Trust, which have just been ranked second in the country for GCSE results for students from disadvantaged background.

CEO Simon Elliott said: “We are very proud of our students, staff and school community. “Our schools are performing well above expectation. That is why we have been ranked the second-best MAT in the country for GCSE results for disadvantaged students"