Ron Dearing UTC students’ delight at outstanding A-level and technical results
RESULT! Identical twins Tom and Olly O’Loughlin with Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley
Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) students have spoken of their delight after hitting new heights in A-level and Level 3 technical results, paving the way for bright futures in their chosen paths.
The majority of the 116 students are the first cohort to complete four years of study at the employer-led Hull school, as they joined as Year 10 students when it opened its doors in 2017.
Highlights of Ron Dearing UTC’s excellent A-level results include:
100 per cent pass rate - in line with 2019 and 2020.
43 per cent of all grades are A or A* - an increase of 3 per cent on 2020.
92 per cent of grades are A* to C - an increase of 6 per cent compared to last year.
Eighteen students have straight A* or A grades.
Ron Dearing UTC’s average grade for technical qualifications, including Engineering, Computing, Art and Design, and Creative Digital, is a Distinction, the equivalent to grade B at A-level.
Just under half of the year group are now destined for apprenticeships or employment with the school’s Employer Partners or other leading businesses, and just over half are taking up university places, including seven with the Russell Group of elite higher education institutions. The overwhelming majority have achieved the grades required for their first choice university.
TEARS OF JOY: Rana Maglad
Identical twins Tom and Olly O’Loughlin recorded an amazing double success, achieving exactly the same grades in the same subjects. They will now move on to the same Civil Engineering apprenticeship at one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners, Spencer Group.
The 18-year-old brothers were delighted to each achieve a double Distinction* in Engineering and a C in A-level Maths.
Tom said: “I feel really proud and I can’t wait to get started at Spencer Group. I’m interested in marine engineering in the future and this is the best start I could have.”
Olly said: “I’ve had so much one-to-one support at Ron Dearing UTC and it was a great decision to come here.
“I’m really looking forward to going into the world of work properly. I want to build bridges and Spencer Group is a leader in that field.”
Rana Maglad, 18, cried tears of joy as she opened her results envelope to reveal she had achieved a double Distinction* in Digital Tech and a Distinction* in Creative Digital. She will now study Graphic Design at the University of Hull.
Rana said: “I’m so happy, as my results are much better than I expected. The teachers at Ron Dearing UTC give 100% support to the students and they know how to help.
“It hasn’t been easy during the pandemic, but we all did the best we could and I’m really pleased with the outcome.”
DELIGHTED: Owen Millard
Owen Millard, 18, achieved an A* in Maths, B in Further Maths, A in Physics and a Distinction* in Engineering. He has secured a Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship at Founding Partner Siemens Gamesa.
“I’m really pleased with my results and am now looking forward to my apprenticeship, as I’ve always wanted to go straight to work,” said Owen. “I’ve done loads of research on Siemens Gamesa and it’s an amazing company to work for.
“Hull is the wind turbine capital of the world and I can stay at home to complete my apprenticeship, which is great.”
Ryah Russell, 18, achieved a double Distinction in Engineering and has secured a three-year Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship with RWE Renewables. She will spend her first two years in Wales, before working offshore on the Triton Knoll wind farm, off the Lincolnshire coast, in her third year.
She said: “I’ve worked really hard for this and the staff at Ron Dearing have been there to support me all the way. They’ve really helped build my confidence, on top of the academic side of things.
“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I first came here but it’s blown me away. It’s been amazing.”
‘AMAZING’: Ryah Russell
Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “This has been a very challenging year for our students, their parents and our staff, and I’m delighted the Year 13 students have achieved such amazing results.
“They’ve worked exceptionally hard and dealt with all the challenges that Covid-19 has thrown at them admirably. It’s a huge relief and a massive credit to them that they have maintained their engagement with learning throughout the past two years, both online and face-to-face in school.
“They’ve shown impressive maturity, resilience and dedication, and I’m extremely proud of each and every one of them. I’m also delighted they have secured such brilliant destinations. Results are extremely important but, ultimately, it’s about where the students go to and what they do once they’ve left school.
“They have exceptionally bright futures ahead of them and I can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve next.”
Rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted in its first official inspection last year, Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged between 14 and 19 and has a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering, offering a unique model of education.
Richard Martin, Chair of the Governing Board at Ron Dearing UTC and Digital Director at Major Partner Arco, said: “This is the first cohort of students to spend four years at Ron Dearing UTC and they have achieved outstanding results despite continuing to study during exceptionally challenging times.
“I’m incredibly proud of all of the students and these results are further confirmation that employer-led learning and education works.”