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UTC Norfolk student Lucie lays foundations for a career in construction

UTC Norfolk student Lucie Gresham-Hill has told of her excitement ahead of starting a two-year scholarship sponsored by the region’s leading construction company, R G Carter.

The 16-year-old from Little Fransham, Swaffham, will gain invaluable skills and knowledge in the engineering and construction industry after winning an award from the Arkwright Scholarship Trust.

To win the scholarship, Lucie completed a detailed application and two-hour aptitude exam. Lucie was shortlisted for interview at the University of Cambridge, where she had to present a practical project.

UTCN students celebrate GCSE success

  • 61% of our students have achieved at least a grade four in English and maths
  • 40% of our students have achieved at least a grade five in English and maths

Alex Hayes, principal, said: “We are very pleased with our second set of GCSE results and I would like to congratulate our students, their parents and our staff for all their hard work. It is also encouraging to see significant numbers of students achieving higher grades in the new, reformed GCSEs.

UTCN student awarded prestigious engineering scholarship from Arkwright Scholarships Trust

Year 11 UTCN student Lucie Gresham-Hill is celebrating after being awarded a highly sought-after engineering scholarship from the Arkwright Scholarships Trust.

The scholarship, which includes a package of financial sponsorship, mentoring and work experience with an employer in her chosen industry of construction, is richly deserved recognition for 15-year-old Lucie’s dedication to engineering.

UTCN students help shape how Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind energy project will be seen by public

Students from UTC Norfolk have worked with energy company Vattenfall and 3D-visualisation firm 3DW to inform the development of software that will be used to show what the proposed Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind farm project will look like.

This unique opportunity was the culmination of a 6-week core project by the students – also supported by Seajacks, RG Carter, Statoil, Gardline and the Wind Energy Museum – which saw the Year 12 students learning about all aspects of wind turbine technology, planning and development.

Half-Term Revision Sessions

To support our students, we will be running a series of revision classes throughout the half-term period - please see the timetables below. I am very grateful to staff for running these additional classes in their own time. Attendance is, of course, optional but is highly recommended!

Year 11 Examination and Revision Timetable

The arrangements for the final few weeks of Year 11 are shown below. Please note that there is no formal study leave. Students will need to attend lessons and revision sessions as shown until Wednesday, June 14. From Thursday, June 15 students will only need to come to school to attend public examinations and coursework catch-up classes. The major examinations are shown on this timetable, however, students should check their individual Statement of Entry which will give full details of all examinations to be taken.

Prize-winner Lewis is hoping to unearth the next J.K. Rowling

UTCN student Lewis Moreton, who plans to become an aerospace engineer, will be focusing on other worlds of the literary variety after being selected to help judge a prestigious fiction competition.

The Year 12 student will sit alongside experienced publishing professionals in judging five manuscripts shortlisted for The Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition. The competition is the largest contest for unpublished children’s fiction writers in the UK.

Parent Governor Election

If you would like to be considered as a Parent Governor, please download and complete the nomination form below. You will need two other parents to nominate and second you. Once completed please return the form to Mr Hayes, Principal, as Returning Officer for this election. Additionally, ensure you have signed the eligibility declaration at the bottom of the nomination form to confirm that you are not disqualified from acting as a governor.

UTCN on Mustard TV

Dynamic East: Ep 1 - Knowledge

In the first episode of Mustard TV's new business series Dynamic East, Business expert Huw Sayer investigates the ever growing Knowledge economy in our region and visits the UTCN.

Year 10 Vaccinations

 

On Tuesday, January 24 the School Nursing team will be at UTCN to give Year 10 students vaccinations against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio and Meningitis ACWY. 

Please download and read the information leaflet below before completing the enclosed form. Students will not be given the vaccine without the completed consent form. 

Please return the form to reception by 12noon on Monday, January 23. 

The information leaflet and consent form are also available from reception. 

Year 10 Parents' Evening

The Year 10 Parents' Evening will take place on Thursday, December 1 from 4pm - 7pm. You should have received an email with a link to the electronic booking system. If you have not received this link please email office@utcn.org.uk and an email will be sent out to you. If you have any questions about Parents' Evening please contact Mr Collinge through reception. 

 

 

Results success: Year 13 students progress to university and Apprenticeships

Year 13 students from UTC Norfolk celebrated results day in the best way possible, with confirmations of university places and an excellent set of BTEC Engineering results alongside their A Levels.

Congratulating students on all of their hard work and achievements over the last 2 years, Alex Hayes, Principal, University Technical College Norfolk, said:

UTCN Tour - Friday, August 26

Are you...

moving into Year 10 this September? Are you feeling uninspired with your option choices? Do you want to work towards an exciting career that will take you all over the world? 

Or have you....

Just got 6 A* - B or 5 A* - C in your GCSEs? Are you looking for a future in Science, Maths, Computer Science or Engineering? Are you eager to work with local and national employers to explore all the different opportunities open to you?

It's not to late to join us in September!

Last day of term

Tuesday, July 19 is the last day of the UTCN academic year. Adter a morning of normal lessons, students can leave site after lunch at 12:30pm. Term will recommence for current UTCN students on Tuesday, Septermber 6. 

Results Days 2016

Results Days for GCSE and A Levels are as follows:

  • Thursday, August 18 - A Level results - 9am - 11am
  • Thursday, August 25 - GCSE results - 9am - 11am 

Please note that Year 11 students who wish to stay on at UTCN for Sixth Form will be able to enrol on their course immediately after collecting their results

Bright futures for UTCN students

We’re extremely proud of our school and the outstanding progression opportunities it offers, and rightly so. 100% of our current Year 13 students have secured bright futures and will be going to university, taking up an apprenticeship or moving into employment. Students have been offered places at some of the UK’s top 20 universities, such as Edinburgh, Loughborough and the UEA; and offered apprenticeships with KLM, Jaguar Land Rover, Kier and the Royal Navy. 

You can find a full list of our Year 13 and Year 11 destinations here

Year 10 Induction Day

Please arrive at UTCN by 10am the day will finish at 2:30pm. During the day, students will take part in activities relevant to their chosen courses and confirm their options. Students should wear their current school uniform for this day and lunch will be provided. Our uniform providers will be at UTCN in the afternoon, please take the opportunity to try items on and put your order in ready for September.

New bus service from Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft

We are pleased to announce, following talks with First Bus, that a new service will bring students direct to UTCN. 

For students coming from Gorleston and Great Yarmouth, one X1 bus in the morning will continue to UTCN, after it's stop in the city, stopping outside the Marsh Harrier pub. Similarly, for students coming from Lowestoft and Beccles, one X22 bus in the morning will drop students at the Marsh Harrier. 

Year 11 and Year 13 Study Leave

Year 11 - study leave will begin on Friday, June 10 at 3:30pm, if and only if, all BTEC Engineering work has been completed and signed off by Mr Pagan. Until then, normal lessons will continue and students will only be absent from lessons if they have an examination to attend. Students are not required to attend lessons after this date but will be expected to attend specific exam preparation classes. You will be notified of these events in advance.

Joining us in September 2016: Uniform

Uniform fitting days

There will be uniform fitting events on the following dates:

Monday, May 23, 2016 - 15:30 - 17:30 

Monday, June 27, 2016 - 15:30 - 17:30 

Tuesday, July 5, 2016 - 14:00 - 17:00

Thursday, July 2016 - 14:00 - 17:00

This is an opportunity to try on different items and order your uniform ready for September! 

If you have any questions regarding see our uniform page here or email office@utcn.org.uk 

Rolls Royce aircraft engine comes to UTC Norfolk

UTC Norfolk has been presented with an ex-Fokker 70 Rolls Royce Tay620 aircraft engine by KLM UK Engineering and KLM Cityhopper, who have provided the engine to be displayed to students and visitors during 2016.

The engine will remain on display during the year – including at UTC Norfolk’s Open Day on Saturday 6th February 2016 (10am-1pm) – to promote aviation and inspire students to think about careers in the aviation industry.

Travel on Friday, December 18

On Friday, December 18 school will finish at 13:00. There will be no contract bus at the end of the school day and students will have to use the public buses to make their way home.

The following buses are available to return to the city.

 

First Bus—number 35

Opposite B&Q on Hall Road

13:18

13:48

 

First Bus—number 39A

ASDA on Hall Road

13:19

13:59

 

To check all other journeys please  use the websites below.

 

Upcoming Open Events at UTCN!

Are you someone who enjoys discovering how things work and solving problems? Are you interested in a career in engineering or science?

University Technical College Norfolk provides an academic and technical education, as well as providing many opportunities to work with local employers. Come and look around our fantastic building and experience what it is like to study at UTCN.

Open Day: Thursday 22 October, 4pm-7pm

Are you someone who enjoys discovering how things work and solving problems? Are you interested in a career in engineering or science? 

Universtiy Technical College Norfolk provides an academic and technical education, as well as providing many opportunities to work with local employers. Come and look around our fantastic building and experience what it is like to study at UTCN. 

Click here for more information and to register you interest.

Changes to traffic arrangements at UTCN

The vast majority of our students travel to UTCN by public transport. If this applies to your son or daughter, you need not read on. However, if you pick up your child from UTCN at the end of the day by car, please read the following carefully as it will directly affect you. Congestion around the front of the school at the end of the school day is becoming increasingly dangerous. With our substantially increased student numbers, it is apparent that the arrangements which worked last year are no longer sufficient. There are two main concerns.

Travelling to UTCN - UPDATE

Bus

First Buses have issued their new timetable for buses between UTCN and Norwich from September 2015. You can download this new timetable from the travel page. 

Mondays and Fridays

Students finish lessons at 15:30 and there will be three contract buses to return students to the city at 15:45. These buses will all stop at St Stephens Street, Castle Meadow and the Train Station. 

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

UNIFORM COLLECTION

uniform

If you have ordered uniform you can collect it on Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2 between 9am and 3pm. 

If you have yet to order your uniform please look at our uniform page for information on required items and how to order. Please contact our uniform suppliers, V&J Knitwear, directly to order and pay for your uniform. 

If you have received uniform but there is a problem with your order please contact V&J Knitwear directly on 01553 772563

ENROLMENT AT UTCN

enrolment

If you missed Year 12 enrolment last week come along to our next enrolment session from 1pm on Tuesday, September 1. Bring along your GCSE results!! If you haven't considered UTCN before but are thinking about joining us this September please come along, with your results, and speak to a member of staff. 

 

UTCN Celebrates Chinese New Year

On Thursday, February 19 Chinese New Year took place. Before the half term break the Chinese Culture group helped their fellow students celebrate, whilst learning more about the festival and raising money. 

At the beginning of the week, students sold Chinese chicken pancakes and played games on the Chinese Zodiac Animal Wheel. All profits from the day went towards the charity Break, who UTCN is also supporting through its Go Go Dragon project. 

Former education secretary Kenneth Baker praises UTC Norfolk

Lord Baker, a pivotal figure in the creation of University Technical Colleges (UTCs), this week saw how his vision for technical education that combines academic and practical learning has been brought to life at University Technical College Norfolk.

The visit by the Chairman of the Baker Dearing Trust provided an opportunity for Lord Baker to see first-hand how UTC Norfolk is providing students with a new approach to learning in science, technology, engineering and maths, with a particular focus on skills for the energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

UTCN students visit Google’s London HQ for Your Life campaign launch

A group of students from University Technical College Norfolk visited Google’s London headquarters this week to see how studying maths and physics can open up an increasingly diverse and exciting range of career opportunities.

Five students from the Old Hall Road-based specialist engineering school were invited to attend the launch of ‘Your Life’ – a three-year government campaign to increase the number of students taking maths and physics – as ambassadors for UTCs, which are focused on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education.

Tour of Jack up vessel elevates students’ aspirations

A 75m long, 295 tonne, self-propelled jack up vessel is no ordinary classroom, but that is where students at University Technical College Norfolk have been learning about careers in offshore energy engineering this week.

40 Year 10 and Year 12 students studying at the Old Hall Road specialist engineering school, were invited on board the Seajacks Leviathan vessel for a unique opportunity to learn about offshore wind-farm installation and tour the vessel’s state-of-the-art facilities.

Inspirational address from Institution of Mechanical Engineers President

The importance of seizing opportunities and embracing entrepreneurial spirit were two of the central messages in a speech by the President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to students at University Technical College Norfolk.

Welcoming the opening of UTC Norfolk, Group Captain Hunt said, “Without engineers, the world would be monochrome. Engineers help the world see in colour.”

UTC Norfolk Pioneers investigate geotechnics to see what lies beneath

University Technical College Norfolk students received an exclusive look at the world of geotechnical engineering as they learned about how the seabed is analysed to see what makes up the earth hidden by our oceans.

The specialist engineering school based on Old Hall Road invited 40 of its applicants to visit Gardline Geosciences to learn how geotechnical surveys are conducted and how they are used to inform the planning and building of offshore infrastructures, such as jack-up platforms and wind turbines.

UTC Norfolk’s new Employer Directors bring a wealth of industry experience

University Technical College (UTC) Norfolk is pleased to announce the appointment of two further Employer Directors to its Board of Governors.

Arjan Meijer, Managing Director of KLM UK Engineering and Scott McMillan, Managing Director of CLS Offshore, have joined the UTC Norfolk Trust Governing Body and will be engaged in all aspects of the development of the UTC.

They join Yvonne Mason of Future Marine Services, John Morse of Gardline, Richard Hill of Lotus, and Shawn Taylor of ST- Racing as Employer Directors for UTC Norfolk.

Pioneers take to the track with ST Racing as UTC Norfolk gears up for opening

Sixty University Technical College Norfolk applicants received a practical demonstration of vehicle dynamics this week, as they took to the track with the Shawn Taylor Racing team.

The prospective students of the specialist engineering school based on Old Hall Road, received the thrilling experience as part of an exciting programme of taster events, which the UTC has planned in the run up to its opening in September.

June newsletter is here!

It is a pleasure to welcome you to this newsletter, marking what has been one of the most exciting months in the development of UTC Norfolk.

The month of June saw us pass another key milestone towards our opening, with a ‘topping out’ ceremony for our fabulous £10m building.

With 72 days until we open, the transformation of the site is coming along fantastically, and we are looking forward to receiving the keys on July 21st.

UTCN at The Royal Norfolk Show

On Wednesday 25th June and Thursday 26th of June, the UTC Norfolk team will be at The Royal Norfolk Show... complete with a very special guest!

If you've got tickets, be sure to come and see us and say "Hello" to Salvador, our yoga supremo, macarena dancing, moonwalking robot!

We are located on the Second Drive between Avenues 11 and 14. Hope to see you there!

UTC Norfolk ‘Pioneers’ engineering skills move up a gear in bike building challenge

12 UTC Norfolk Pioneers have tested their practical engineering skills by building two impressive bikes, in partnership with ‘Not about the Bike’ Norwich.
The 2 groups of 6 UTC Pioneers attended two sessions where they worked in teams to build a racing bike and a BMX from reclaimed spares.
The bikes then took pride of place on the UTC Norfolk stand at the Norfolk Cycle Show 2014.

Topping out ceremony for building conversion marks another key milestone for University Technical College Norfolk

University Technical College Norfolk, the specialist engineering school for 14 to 19 year olds, will pass another key milestone towards its opening with a ‘topping out’ ceremony this week for its £10m building conversion on Old Hall Road, Norwich.

The former factory has been transformed by developer Kier during the last 12 months, in readiness to open as a University Technical College (UTC) in September that will offer a combination of hands-on engineering skills and academic learning focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

UTC Norfolk accepts 200th student as its 'Pioneers' show they can't wait to get started.

University Technical College Norfolk reached a key milestone this week, as it accepted its 200th student to study at the specialist engineering school opening in September.

So far, the school has received 348 applications and this number is set to rise as the school continues to meet with prospective students.  Students who are due to enter Year 10 and Year 12 in September, and who are interested in studying at UTC Norfolk, are advised that applications are still being accepted, but they should apply soon to secure their place.

Check out the May Newsletter

With only 122 days remaining until we open, time has certainly flown since our last newsletter! As well as getting ready for September, we’ve also been organising a range of exciting Pioneer Events with our employer sponsors. These events are a fabulous opportunity to meet fellow students and will give you a flavour of our employers’ businesses. I strongly encourage you to sign up – we only have limited places!

Ratified Term Dates Released

Term Dates for 2014/2015 Academic Year

 

Term One

Starts: Monday, September 8 for Year 10 students and Tuesday September 9 for Year 12 students

Finishes: Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Term Two

Starts: Monday, November 3, 2014

Finishes: Friday, December 19, 2014 (at 1pm)

Term Three

Starts: Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Finishes: Friday, February 13, 2015

Term Four

Starts: Monday, February 23, 2015

Finishes: Friday, March 27, 2015

UTCN at the Skills East

UTCN is at Skills East, at the Norfolk Showground over the next 2 days, Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th March.

Come see us to to find out about all our courses and apply for September.

You can also try out our robot arm and take part in the Cotton Wheel Tank Challenge.

UTCN at the Sea of Opportunity show

UTC Norfolk was at the Sea of Opportunity event, held at the Norwich Show Ground on the 5th & 6th March, run by East of England Energy group

The event is billed as the most important conference for the offshore energy industry in the East of England, offering training and skills sessions with an insight into innovation and technology, business opportunities and markets.

It was fantastic to meet with so many people and industry representatives, all of whom were incredibly enthusiastic about what the UTC Norfolk has to offer.

February newsletter

With less than 200 days to go before UTCN opens, it is all go here! Construction on our £10m site is proceeding apace – and everything is on schedule for the building to be completed for July 21.

Check out the latest news and other articles in the February newsletter, including a competition to win one of two flights with Wildcat Aerobatics and find out the name of our robot mascot.

Click here to view the newsletter

Students get first look inside UTCN building

Some of the first applicants to University Technical College Norfolk have been given a sneak preview of their new school which is being created from a former factory.

A viewing gallery has opened to enable visitors to the UTC Norfolk, at Yarefield Park, Old Hall Road in Norwich, to see the impressive facility taking shape for themselves and to get a feel for how the UTC will look when it is complete.