The sound of success: Ron Dearing UTC students ring bell after inspiration from Paris Olympics
‘I’VE LOVED BEING A RON DEARING STUDENT’: Harvey Blackshaw, who will study engineering at Cambridge University
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Students at the city’s university technical college (UTC) have been celebrating their A-level and Level 3 achievements by ringing a special bell.
Sixth-form students at Ron Dearing UTC recorded excellent A-level and Level 3 technical results, with more than half of the Year 13 cohort of 143 students moving on to university, and others taking up apprenticeship opportunities with many of the region’s leading businesses.
Many rang a bell mounted by the employer-led school in an idea inspired by the Paris Olympics, where gold medal winners rang a bell which will be hung in the renovated Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Among those sounding out their success was Harvey Blackshaw, 18, who recorded A* grades in maths and further maths, an A in physics and a distinction* in engineering. He will now study engineering at the University of Cambridge.
SUCCESS: Ron Dearing UTC students celebrate in Kingston Square
Harvey said: “I worked hard and I’m glad it paid off. I’m thrilled and proud of myself.
“It means so much to me to go to Cambridge and it was amazing when I went for my interview. I didn’t think I would get in, so I’m really excited.
“I’ve loved being a Ron Dearing student and I’ve had so much advice and support from the teachers.”
Oliver Moss, 18, achieved A grades in maths and physics, a B in chemistry and a distinction* in engineering, and has secured a three-year degree apprenticeship in nuclear engineering at Rolls Royce.
Oliver said: “I’m really happy. I want to work my way up at Rolls Royce and hopefully work abroad within the industry.
“Being a Ron Dearing UTC student has given me an advantage because of all the support I’ve received.”
‘GREAT SUPPORT’: Oliver Moss, who will study nuclear engineering at Rolls Royce
Madison Harraway, also 18, is going to Manchester Metropolitan University to study fashion business and management, having achieved a double distinction in her technical diploma in creative imedia and an A in A-level photography.
She said: “I’m going to Italy on Sunday, and I wouldn’t have been very happy if I didn’t get the grades I wanted, so now I can relax. I told myself that if I got an A, I’d buy myself a new dress.
“I’m very excited to be going to Manchester. I need to be somewhere creative, so feel like it will be a great place for me.”
Last year, the former Central Fire Station in Hull city centre was transformed into the UTC’s state-of-the-art STEAM Studios creative hub and two additional science laboratories were created within the existing school building in nearby Kingston Square.
DELIGHTED: From left, Ron Dearing UTC students Ellie Grayson-White, Katie Hatfield, Skylar Dawson and Scarlet Wedgner
This increased the school’s capacity from 600 to 800 students from the start of the academic year in September 2023, following funding from the Department for Education’s (DfE) Post-16 Capacity Fund.
Following the expansion, highlights of the UTC’s A-level and Level 3 technical results this year include:
41 per cent of all grades are A or A*.
91 per cent of grades are A* to C.
The average grade for A-levels is B.
The average grade for Level 3 technical qualifications, including engineering, computing and creative iMedia, is Distinction +.
Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged 14 to 19, offering a unique employer-led model of education with a specialist focus on Engineering, Maths, Sciences, Computing, Art and Design and English.
‘NOW I CAN RELAX’: Madison Harraway, who will study fashion business and management at Manchester Metropolitan University
Several of the students who have secured a university place will move on to one of the Russell Group of elite higher education institutions, while those preparing for apprenticeships will work with various leading businesses including the UTC’s founding and employer partners.
This year has also seen an increase in the number of students progressing on to degree studies in the science and healthcare sectors and creative industries following the expansion of the UTC’s curriculum. This includes the introduction of A-levels in art and photography, as well as a BTEC course in applied science.
Ron Dearing UTC’s founding partners are the University of Hull and leading local employers KCOM, Reckitt, Siemens Gamesa, Smith+Nephew and Spencer Group. The school is also supported by Hull City Council alongside many other major partners and partners.
Students who would like to join Ron Dearing UTC in Year 10 or Year 12 in September 2025 are invited to attend one of three planned open events on October 3, November 7 and January 9. For more information, and to book a place, go to www.rondearingutc.com/openevents
