Ron Dearing UTC retains ‘Outstanding’ status in superb Ofsted inspection report

HAPPY: Sixth form students celebrate Ron Dearing UTC retaining its ‘Outstanding’ status

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Hull’s employer-led school, Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC), has retained its ‘Outstanding’ status in a glowing inspection report from Ofsted.

Following an in-depth inspection carried out in May, inspectors praised the school for its ambitious curriculum, exemplary student behaviour and impressive learner destinations.

Inspectors described the school as having “a relaxed, friendly and industrious feel” and praised the staff’s effective support which leads pupils to “achieve very highly and feel successful”.

Year after year, Ron Dearing UTC supplies outstanding young talent for leading businesses in the region, including its founding partners KCOM, Reckitt, Siemens Gamesa, Smith+Nephew and Spencer Group. Students have also gone on to work for the likes of Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and BAE Systems.

Students opting for higher education have secured places at leading universities, including the UTC’s university partner, the University of Hull, and the elite Russell Group of universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

The Ofsted report heaped praise on the school across a broad range of areas including the curriculum, student behaviour, staff and leadership teams, and student outcomes.

“Highly ambitious” curriculum

The school’s unique employer-led curriculum is one of the key areas highlighted in the report, with inspectors describing the curriculum as “highly ambitious” and “carefully constructed”.

Working with employer partners, the school has created a curriculum that is relevant to the future employment that pupils aspire to, equipping them with the knowledge, qualifications and skills to secure further education, employment and training, the report said.

The report highlights enrichment activities that enhance students’ learning, including employer projects which help to deepen subject understanding, and the opportunity for students to gain professional qualifications, such as health and safety training.

“Superb” student behaviour

The report recognises that the school’s unique curriculum means students are engaged in what they study and demonstrate “consistently superb behaviour”.

Inspectors describe pupils as “knowledgeable, interesting and articulate”, and praise the school’s extremely low absence rate, which continues to reduce.

Trusted staff and leaders

Staff at the school are also recognised in the report, with inspectors saying “relationships between pupils and staff are warm and professional”, adding that “pupils respond extremely well to the trust placed in them and to the school’s aspirational culture”.

The school’s leaders are described as “relentless in their pursuit of excellence for pupils”, saying staff are trusted and feel well supported by the school’s leadership team.

The inspectors also found the school’s arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Impressive student outcomes

As a result of the high-quality teaching and the enriched curriculum, pupils consistently achieve highly in national assessments and secure next steps in education, employment or training, the report said.

‘HUGE CONGRATULATIONS’: Year 10 students cheer the news that Ron Dearing UTC is once again ‘Outstanding’

Inspectors described the school’s careers education, advice and guidance as “extremely high quality” adding that “the school personalises support for pupils ensuring that they have the best possible chance of achieving their aspirations”.

The report noted that all students had progressed to further education, employment or training since the school opened and said many outcomes in the sixth form are some of the highest in the country.

Happy school community

Not only do students go onto achieve their career goals, but they are happy during their time at the school, and feel “confident to express their individuality”, the inspectors found.

The report said “pupils enjoy their time at the school and are interested in what they study”, adding “they recognise the exceptional education that they receive and the benefits that this affords them”.

Parents who provided input as part of the inspection process also provided glowing feedback, with many saying they “feel fortunate” that their child attends Ron Dearing UTC, with inspectors also sharing that “parents, carers, staff and pupils feel privileged to be part of the school”.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re delighted to have retained our Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

“It’s fantastic to hear that parents, carers, staff and pupils feel privileged to be part of the school and we’re proud of the tight-knit community we have built over the past eight years.

“This outcome is a testament to the talent and commitment of our incredible team of teachers and support staff. Our teachers are experts in their subjects and are knowledgeable in adapting their teaching to meet the needs of all our students, while our support staff are dedicated to helping pupils achieve their full potential.

“I’m delighted that the proactive partnership between the school and our university and employer partners has been recognised by Ofsted for providing the highest quality education. The unique learning opportunities that this partnership approach creates for our students helps them develop into well-rounded young people, equipped with everything they need to achieve their full potential.”

Located in Kingston Square, Hull city centre, Ron Dearing UTC opened in 2017 offering a unique education model for students aged 14 to 19, with a specialist focus on engineering, digital and computing, art and design, maths, English and science and healthcare.

Since its last Ofsted inspection in 2020, the school has expanded and now has an additional facility adjacent to the main building. Opened in 2023, STEAM Studios houses a cutting-edge creative hub including a gallery and exhibition space, digital and photography studios, and 2D and 3D art studios, to prepare students for careers in the creative sector.

Richard Martin, chair of the governing board and non-executive director of Ron Dearing UTC major partner Arco, said: “Huge congratulations to our principal, our head of school, the entire Ron Dearing staff team, our students, their parents and carers, the University of Hull and all of our employer partners for their dedication to making Ron Dearing an outstanding school.

“It is clear from the consistently impressive student outcomes and destinations that Ron Dearing has found the perfect recipe for developing well-rounded young people who have the skills and confidence to thrive in the world of work.

“This is yet another confirmation that Ron Dearing students are equipped with the highest quality education and maturity to set them up for success in their lives after school.”