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School,
but different

Why is NE Futures UTC different?

University Technical Colleges or UTCs take a balance of a strong core curriculum and technical qualifications to give their students a more rounded experience of school.

Preparing Young People for the World of Work

Vision – to be the leading Digital and Health Science College where:

  • All students receive high quality education and support and a sector leading careers programme in partnership with local employers
  • All students develop work-ready skills whilst achieving a broad range of useful qualifications
  • All students move onto ambitious destinations, often in the Digital and Health Science sectors, supporting economic growth in the North East

Values - Professionalism, Resilience, Communication

School Life

We deliver a balance between a traditional education and a route into the world of work, ensuring our students achieve the qualifications and obtain the skills they need for the careers they want.

Find out more about studying at our UTC

What is a UTC?

University Technology Colleges provide students with a unique experience that combines a traditional education with a specialist careers programme.

On enrolment, every student identifies an industry they wish to enter beyond their education. This becomes their desired destination. With continuous support from visiting professionals and school staff, students focus on achieving the qualifications needed for their pathway, as well as the necessary confidence to enter the world of work.

 

 

Along with business attire, a UTC student is prepared for post-18 life by attending regular meetings with industry professionals from their chosen profession who mentor and coach them. They are also given the opportunity to step foot into the work environment by completing 2 weeks of work experience at the end of year 10 and 12.

A school but different, each UTC is supported and sponsored by local universities and successful businesses. These Core Partners provide their school with resources, knowledge and encouragement and are fully motivated to fill the skills gap for each region of the country.

Supported by:
100%of Yr13 students achieved a positive destination in 2023 Find out how focused learning leads to national
average beating results
59%of UTC leavers went to university.
81%of UTC leavers chose STEM courses. (46% nationally)
27%of UTC leavers started an apprenticeship (6% nationally)
96%of our Y11 students progressed to further education or training
5%of UTC leavers pursued other forms of education (10% nationally)
54%of apprenticeships are Higher or Degree level. (20% nationally)

We aim for all of our 6th form students to embark on the next stage in their education whether it is an apprenticeship, going to university or going straight into a full time or part time job.

We help students consider the advantages and disadvantages of each choice and what would be most beneficial for their desired career paths.

Students wishing to undertake an apprenticeship have the advantage of accessing guaranteed apprenticeship places at local companies.

Students wishing to go to university have the benefit of our specialist knowledge of Higher Education choices in Health and Computer Science. We help 6th form students with their UCAS application process and encourage visits to universities.

Our specialist sectors tell a fantastic story about the opportunities on offer to young people. The 2017 Tech Nation Report shows phenomenal growth in the contribution of our region to the UK digital economy and the latest PWC report shows the average advertised salary in digital roles as 36% higher than the national average salary.

Not only does the NHS (the fifth largest employer in the world!) employ more people in the North East than elsewhere in the country, but the North East’s remarkable pharmaceutical industry also makes a disproportionately high contribution to the UK economy.

However, employers are increasingly struggling to recruit people with the right skills – and that’s where we come in! It’s not all about money, either; these are exciting and rewarding jobs offering the opportunity to make a real difference to the world.

Project Based Learning

Students are presented with a real-life industry problem by one of our partners and asked to come up with a solution. This gives our students a hands-on approach to learning and skills application. Our partners offer support with the projects giving guidance and asking questions to keep the students' minds engaged in coming up with a viable solution and how it could work in the real world. These allow for the students to get a taste of what is it like to work in that particular industry and also allows them to meet, work and talk to potential future colleagues.

Careers Programme

All 6th Formers receive regular mentoring from an industry professional at the UTC. There will be a total of four 50 minute sessions each year. This will help them gain real insight into the world of work. Practical advice about expectations, first impressions, CV and personal statement writing, interview techniques and simply being a sounding board to their ideas can be valuable, helping to build self-esteem and maturity.

Find out more

The mentoring session is by far the most intense and impactful hour I spend in every month. It could not be a more rewarding experience.

Mary Youngs Technology Consultant and NE Futures UTC Mentor

It's not just Education

Last lesson every Friday our students have an enrichment lesson. This enrichment lesson is a chance to take a break at the end of the week and just be able to chill and do something that they enjoy, such as photography, table top games, football and many more. We encourage our 6th Formers to help the staff to run these clubs to help develop their leadership, communication and teamworking skills.

Learn about our Enrichment activities