UTC Newsletter October 2020

1. UTC NEWS

2. Contents:
You have heard the word from our Principal, Jo.
Now let’s look at all the amazing things that have been going at UTC.
This is Us!
Our Open Day success and virtual tour
Meet the Governors
Meet our partners
Covid-19 Update
Engineering News
KS3 News and success stories
KS4 News and success stories
KS5 News and success stories
Hear from our parents
Our Environment
WAGOLL uniform
Google classroom
Have your say
Click on the links
to find pictures
and information
from each topic.
Click the UTC
badge to return
to the contents
page each time.

3. This is Us!
Thanks to two talented photographers and Photoshop, we were able to create this whole school
photo, from four separate photos, while abiding by the bubble restrictions to keep our students
safe.
A
fantastic
photo
that
captures
all of our
core
values.

4. OPEN DAY – 10/10/2020
Today, we opened our
doors to perspective
students and parents of
the future. We had a
steady flow of people in
small groups to ensure the
safety of all.
The atmosphere was
fantastic and it was great
to see so many happy
faces leave with our
branded bag in tow.
Go to the next slide to meet
our staff and students!

5. Welcome to UTC
Meet our
students.
Meet our
staff.

6. Virtual Event

7. MEET OUR GOVERNORS
Peter Bragg Nick Buckland Lt. Col Craig Hampton-
Stone
Professor Kevin Jones
Hendirk Koornhof Polly Lovell

8. MEET OUR GOVERNORS
Sam Smith
Tony Bent Neil Bond
Emma Hill

9. MEET OUR PARTNERS

10. How are we keeping everyone safe
during these times?
We are pulling out all the stops when it comes to safety around
Covid-19.
• We have hand sanitiser stations outside of each classroom.
• Students are all in year group bubbles to ensure that the risk of
any potential spread is limited. Each group have dedicated
entrances and exits in their year group zones.
• Classrooms are deep cleaned at the end of each day.
• Staff are required to wear masks around the school and when
interacting with students.
• Tape has been laid out to indicate teacher and students zones in
classrooms to encourage the 2 meter rule.
• Students abide by the space rule during break out times.
• We deliver their lunches to prevent a crowded canteen!

11. Engineering News
Hi Honey, I’m Home!
This week, we welcomed ‘Honey Girl’, an Achilles 24 foot
yacht. We had lots of success with our composites unit
last year, building better and bigger links with Princess
Yachts as a result. So for this year we have decided to go
one bigger and restore our very own yacht. Once finished
we hope to be using her to teach our own students to sail
as well!
There is much in the news about
changing to electric cars to help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. But have
you ever wondered how our goods
might get from far flung countries such
as China to the UK? Presently they
come in large cargo ships powered by
diesel engines (using what's known as
heavy oil) or gas turbines.
A Swedish company, Wallenius Marine,
is currently developing a cargo ship
powered by the wind aiming to cut
emissions by 90%.
What challenges will this bring? Will we
need a skilled team of sailors?
Wind powered cargo ships

12. Engineering News
Its never too soon to start thinking about your future,
Babcock apprenticeships open in November!
How will you set yourself apart from all the other
applicants? What additional information about
yourselves can you add to your C.V to make you stand
out?
The advert is from this week. Something to note is the
comment that they require a young person who is not
just bright and innovative, but who is able to function
without a phone stuck in their hand or an air pod glued
in their ear!!
Key thing to note from this advert is that they want
someone who is innovative. At interview how would
you answer the question, “tell me about a time when
you had to come up with an innovative solution to a
problem?”
Apprenticeship
Alert

13. KEY STAGE 3 NEWS
Diary Entry Winners!
Our wonderfully creative year 7 students have been
capturing their first experiences of UTC in our Diary
Entry competition!
What else have we been up to? Keep
clicking for some more KS3 news.

14. KEY STAGE 3 NEWS
Year 7 have been asked by their Heads of
Year, Natasha Ive and Nathan Tills, to bring
in any tins, packets or jars of non-
perishable food, lurking at the back of the
cupboard (still in date of course!) and
donate them to Plymouth Foodbank. There
is a collection point in the year 7 hub so
please help us to collect as many donations
as possible!

15. KEY STAGE 3 NEWS
Stars of the Week
Every Friday, the year 7 team award the
student with the highest average ELPS
(Effective Learning Point Score) a certificate
in recognition of their amazing efforts,
dedication and professionalism!
The impact COVID-19 has had on our
local theatre has meant that this year we
will be unable to take students to
experience the magic of a live stage
performance. Students in year 9 were
treated to a ‘cinema style’ experience
and watched an in-house screening of
the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ as part of
their GCSE curriculum learning.

16. KEY STAGE 3 NEWS
Our first ever year 7
cohort have been busy
preparing postcards to
send back to their
primary schools, to let
them know how they
have been getting on in
their first term at UTC
Plymouth!
Postcards to
Primary

17. KS3 SUCCESS STORIES

18. KEY STAGE 4 News
Football Mad!
Jay has kindly donated a
football table to the Year
11 area.
It keeps the students
occupied at their break
and lunch times - Lucky
students!
Read about our Rosie next!

19. KEY STAGE 4 News
Rosie-Mae Miller has
completed her Royal Navy
entry test and interview and is
awaiting her medical and
fitness test. Once she has
completed these she will be
awaiting her joining date.
We are excited to see our great
students getting the rewards
they deserve for their hard
work and dedication here at
UTC Plymouth

20. KEY STAGE 5 NEWS
This half term bought some fantastic news from our P16
group.
On Tuesday 29/9, Dan Hambly (Year 12) had a job
interview with the Royal Navy for a position as a Marine
Engineering Technician (ETME). The interview went
really well, and he got the job!
His next step (after filling out some more paperwork) is
the fitness test and medical examinations. To prepare
himself for this, he is going to the gym twice a week to
build his core strength, goes running three times a week
and does a small workout at home every morning.
After he successfully passes the medical and fitness
tests, he will get the initial start date for basic training at
HMS Raleigh in Torpoint and Basic Engineering Training
in HMS Sultan in Gosport.
Congratulations Dan and good luck!
Well done Dan! On to our school trips…

21. KEY STAGE 5 NEWS
Key Stage 5 have been out and about practising their
orienteering skills. CCF are focusing on navigation
skills, radio communication and teamwork during their
PLT (Personal Leadership Task).
They were asked to collect materials that could be used
to rebuild a bridge over a crossing for humanitarian aid.
It was a success and they showed great leadership skills
and modelled our core values well.

22. Our Environment.
All year groups have taken
part in a school-wide
initiative to become more
aware of the impact we have
on our environment!
We have started by giving all
students the opportunity to
watch David Attenborough's
new Documentary ‘’A Life on
our Planet’
We then used our Oracy hour
to discuss how we can all
create a more sustainable
way of life.

23. Google Classroom
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we
have gone to extra lengths to
ensure that all learning is easily
accessible online.
All students have been invited to a
google classroom for each of their
subjects.
They will have extra resources and
revision materials posted weekly
to support them with their home
learning.
Students, join the classrooms and
don’t miss out on fab revision
support!

24. WAGOLL Uniform

25. Hear from our parents…

26. Parent feedback
It is great to hear feedback on how we are doing.
It is lovely to hear how well your children are getting on
at home and how they are enjoying our curriculum.
Likewise, it is very helpful to hear how we can further
support your children.
Please feel free to feedback to the school via email at
info@utcplymouth.orhg

27. MEET OUR GOVERNERS
Peter Bragg - Elected by staff
Pete has been with the UTC since its inception in 2013 under his role as Art &
Design lead, moving into Head of Sixth form. He will now be looking towards
cementing his position within the school as Careers & Employer
Engagement. Part of Pete's role is developing careers for the whole school
programme and supporting local employers to engage effectively with
education in STEAM.
Nick Buckland - Appointed by Local Governing Body
Nick Buckland OBE has been the Chair of Governors at UTC Plymouth since
2016. Originally a mathematician, he spent many years in the IT industry
working on high performance computers; the early years of virtual reality and
the internet. From the mid 1990’s he has had a portfolio career as a Chair and
director of organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors. He has
been a strong advocate of STEM and its importance for the UK economy and
is passionate about ensuring young people are given the opportunities to
gain a good education that will ensure they can take up exciting and well paid
jobs and careers. He was appointed OBE for services to Innovation and
Technology in the 2009 New Year Honours List and is a Chartered Engineer,
Information Technology Practitioner and Manager. He is a Fellow of a number
of professional bodies.
Click here to return to ‘Meet the Governors’

28. MEET OUR GOVERNERS
Lt. Col Craig Hampton-Stone - Appointed by Local Governing Body
Lieutenant Colonel Craig Hampton-Stone is a project manager in the Ministry of
Defence and was previously the Commanding Officer of 165 Port and Maritime
Regiment RLC, which is based in Plymouth and is one of the largest reserve
Regiments in the Army. Having recently settled in the area, Craig is very keen to
contribute to the successful running of UTC Plymouth, where he has been truly
inspired by the attitude and dedication of the pupils. As a school governor,
Craig hopes to use his experiences from 25 years’ service as an army officer,
including many years on operations around the globe, to develop the
leadership, values and standards of the pupils at UTC Plymouth.
Prof. Kevin Jones - University Sponsor Appointed by Trust
Professor Kevin Jones is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and
Engineering at the University of Plymouth, responsible for the Schools of
Engineering, Computing & Mathematics, Biological & Marine Sciences, and
Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences. He holds a PhD in Computing
Science from the University of Manchester, an MSc in Computation from Oxford
University and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Reading. He is
a Fellow of the IMARest, the IET and the BCS, a CEng, a CSci and a CITP.
Professor Jones has been the University nominated governor at UTC Plymouth
since 2016.
Click here to return to ‘Meet the Governors’

29. MEET OUR GOVERNERS
Hendirk Koornhof - Appointed by Trust
Hendrik is the HR Director at Babcock’s Devonport facility, the biggest dockyard in
Western Europe. He joined Babcock in 2018 after a varied career spanning director
level HR and Operations roles across the world, with extensive experience in South
Africa, the UK, Europe, India, China and the US, mostly in high hazard industries.
The UK is experiencing a skills crisis which is set to deepen further. Engineering skills
coupled with Nuclear capabilities are required to successfully deliver long term Naval
programmes which are critical to national and international security. Hendrik is one of
the governors representing the industry and the STEM agenda required to address the
skills gap. His business experience adds to the governance and management rigour of
the board.
Polly Lovell - Ex-Officio by virtue of position as Executive Principal
Polly Lovell is the Executive Principal at UTC Plymouth and the Head of Secondary at
Millbay Academy. She also leads on STEAM and vocational education for Reach South
Trust. Polly is an experienced governor having been a parent governor at her children’s
secondary school, a staff governor at Lampton School, Hounslow, a governor at Stoke
Damerel Primary Academy and recently deputy chair at Stoke Damerel Community
College. Polly also brings experience to the board as a trained SENDCo, Designated
Safeguarding lead and STORM Mental health lead. Polly has led the UTC PLYMOUTH
through a journey of improvement as is well versed in school restructures and
developing data led instruction.
Click here to return to ‘Meet the Governors’

30. MEET OUR GOVERNERS
Sam Smith - Appointed by Local Governing Body
Sam is delighted to be joining UTC Governing Board. She has been in the
Education profession for 23 years, and has experience both in the UK and
internationally. Her first experience of working in primary education was
as a consultant for an NGO in Calcutta, India. From this point, Sam made
a decision to develop her knowledge, skills and understanding of
education so that she would be able to effectively support the provision of
high-quality education for all. As Head Teacher of an inner London
primary school for the past 10 years, Sam’s clear vision for ensuring the
best possible education for every child, along with strong leadership and
management skills, has delivered improved outcomes for all children
regardless of their starting points. Sam has been the Head Teacher of
Stoke Damerel Primary Academy since April 2019 and is looking forward
to helping lead the school forward towards becoming the very best school
it can be.
Neil Bond - Elected by parents of UTC
Neil is 55 years old and has worked in an engineering background all his
life. He is currently employed with Fibre Glass Systems formerly Pipex, as
a team leader and is responsible for the quality of work and ensuring jobs
which are undertaken are completed on time and on budget.
Neil’s son attends UTC Plymouth and is currently in the 6th form.
Neil works often with young apprentices to help them achieve their goals
and qualifications within an engineering background. He hopes to help
pupils gain knowledge and understanding so they can further their career
in engineering.
Click here to return to ‘Meet the Governors’

31. MEET OUR GOVERNERS
Emma Hill - Elected by parents of UTC
Emma was delighted to become a parent governor at UTC. She has a son
who is in the Sixth Form, and is looking forward to watching him develop at
UTC and fulfil his career aspirations.
Emma has worked in social care for twenty years, and recognises the
importance of good quality education that is committed to developing young
people to reach their potential. By being a parent governor, Emma wants to
be able to use her skills, experience and knowledge as a social worker to
assist the school to reach the goals it has. The hope is, that in her own way,
Emma can make a positive contribution to the school so that it can continue
to remain highly successful and go from strength to strength. Outside of
work and her family, Emma loves to read, bake and try anything crafty
whenever there is time to actually sit down!
Tony Bent - Employer Sponsor Appointed by the Trust
I have responsibility for all strategic and operational aspects of the Rittal-
CSM Supply Chain, including; Sourcing & Procurement, Supplier Quality,
Materials Planning, Logistics and Warehousing,
Click here to return to ‘Meet the Governors’