Students celebrate GCSE success as demand for places soars
SUCCESS: Students celebrate with Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley
Students at Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) have once again achieved exemplary GCSE and Level 2 technical qualification results, excelling in their studies despite unprecedented challenging times.
Highlights of the GCSE results achieved by the employer-led school’s 155 Year 11 students include:
87 per cent of students achieved grades 4-9 in both English and Maths
60 per cent of students secured grades 5-9 in English and Maths
Students studying the school’s specialisms have also performed incredibly well, with a significant number achieving the highest grades:
57 per cent of students achieved Distinction* or Distinction in Digital Technology
53 per cent achieved Distinction* or Distinction in Engineering Design
30 per cent were awarded Distinction* or Distinction in Engineering Systems and Control
30 per cent of students achieved Distinction* or Distinction in Creative iMedia
Due to Ron Dearing’s growing reputation, competition for places in the school’s Sixth Form has been even more intense than previous years, with almost 400 students applying for the 150 places in Year 12 for this coming September.
Peter Sword, 16, achieved six GCSEs all at grade 9, including Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as a Distinction* in Engineering Systems and Control and a Distinction* in Digital Tech.
He is returning to Ron Dearing to study A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and English at Sixth Form as he works towards a career in genetics.
Peter said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic with my results. I thought I might get a few 8 grades – I didn’t expect them to all be grade 9!
“I’m coming back to the Sixth Form because this is just a brilliant school. It’s very professional and I feel that this is the best place for me to help me achieve my ambitions.”
ECSTATIC: Peter Sword
Twins Freya and Yaqub Ilyas, 16, were also delighted with their results.
Freya achieved seven GCSEs, including grade 8 in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics and English Language, and a Distinction in Engineering.
She is now looking forward to studying Chemistry, Biology and Maths at Ron Dearing UTC’s Sixth Form and hopes to become a paediatric doctor in the future.
Freya said: “Ron Dearing UTC has helped me to progress and enjoy my subjects more. I’m looking forward to the challenge of Sixth Form because I need A grades to go to medical school.”
Yaqub achieved seven GCSEs, including grade 9 in Physics and Maths and grade 8 in Biology and Chemistry, as well as Distinctions in Creative iMedia and Digital Tech.
He is also returning to Ron Dearing’s Sixth Form and will study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
He said: “I’m delighted. Ron Dearing is just such a good place to be and I love it here.”
Serghei Glinca, 16, achieved six GCSEs, including grade 9 in Chemistry, Maths and Physics, as well as a Distinction * in Digital Tech and a Distinction in Engineering Manufacturing.
He was also thrilled with his grade 7 in English Language, which is his third language after Romanian and Russian.
Serghei, who wants to work as an Aerospace Engineer in the future, is returning to Ron Dearing to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science at Sixth Form.
He said: “I’m really pleased. I’ve worked hard for this and the staff here have helped me along the way.”
SUPPORTED: Isabella Acaster
Isabella Acaster has her sights set on a career in medicine after achieving Distinctions in Engineering Manufacture and Engineering Systems and Control, as well as four grade 9 and two grade 8 GCSEs.
She will now study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and English at Ron Dearing’s Sixth Form.
Isabella, 16, said: “I’ve been looking forward to getting my results and I’m really happy with them.
“I have a great relationship with the Ron Dearing UTC teachers and they’re really supportive.”
Cohen Morfitt was determined to collect his results in person despite needing crutches after injuring his ankle playing sport.
His effort was rewarded as he achieved six GCSEs, including four at grade 9, a Distinction in Engineering Design and a Distinction* in Digital Tech.
Cohen, 16, who will now study Maths, Further Maths and Double Computer Science at Ron Dearing Sixth Form, said: “I’m really happy because my grades are better than I expected.
“I’d like a job in computer programming in the future and I know I’m in the best place to achieve that.
“My grades have shot up since I moved to Ron Dearing UTC and the teachers are great. They’ve given me so much support to get to this point.”
Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “Yet again our students have demonstrated incredible determination and resilience in extremely difficult circumstances.
“I am so pleased that they have achieved such brilliant results, which have ensured that all of them are able to go on to exciting post-16 education opportunities.
“I’m also delighted that over 130 students have achieved the required grades and chosen to continue their education in our outstanding Sixth Form.”
OUTSTANDING: Sarah Pashley
Rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted in its first official inspection last year, Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged between 14 and 19, offers a unique model of education with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.
Richard Martin, Chair of the Governing Board at Ron Dearing UTC and Digital Director at Major Partner Arco, said: “It’s fantastic to see how many existing Ron Dearing UTC students have chosen to stay on in our Sixth Form and continue their education with us.
“Employer-led learning works for them and they want more of it, as they can see its potential and how it is helping to pave the way for incredibly bright futures with amazing opportunities.”
Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners are the University of Hull and leading local employers KCOM, RB, Siemens Gamesa, Smith+Nephew and Spencer Group.
The school is also supported by Hull City Council and many other industry partners, including Arco, C4DI, Fujitsu, Green Port Hull, Ideal Boilers, INEOS Acetyls, Kohler Mira, Luxinar, NEC Software Solutions, Ørsted, Sauce, Sewell Group and Sonoco Trident.
Students who wish to join Ron Dearing UTC in September 2022 can apply online via https://www.rondearingutc.com/apply/ from September 1st.