August 2024 saw the UTC’s latest set of destinations and qualification results. The purpose of the UTC is to help prepare young people for the world of work and to ensure that they are career and life ready. UTCs are best measured by career progression and destinations; we are very pleased yet again with these outcomes:
- For our Year 13 leavers:
- All who wanted to have gone to University and all but one went to their first choice. 85% of those are studying a STEM degree (including aerospace, mechanical, civil and chemical engineering, product design, computer science, games development, microbiology).
- 40% have secured Apprenticeships – 8 times the national average – covering a wide range of sectors (including civil, marine, mechanical, nuclear and design engineering, software development, welding and fabrication).
- All students had a positive destination. Nobody from Year 11 or 13 was NEET. Since the UTC opened in 2016, 98% of students have moved on to a positive destination.
- The UTC was ranked 5th in the country out of 4416 Post-16 providers for those going on to apprenticeships (latest DfE performance tables).
| UTC 2024 | UTC 2023 | UTC 2022 | UTC 2021 | National av | Durham av | |
| NEET at age 16* | 0 | 2% | 1% | 1% | 6% | 8% |
| NEET at age 18* | 0 | 4% | 2% | 0% | 11% | 11% |
| University | 30% | 31% | 47% | 16% | 54% | 53% |
| Apprenticeships at 18 | 40% | 30% | 30% | 38% | 5% | 9% |
| % apprenticeships at L3+ | 95% | 95% | 100% | 100% | 78% | 76% |
| % apprenticeships at L4+ | 44% | 37% | 27% | 47% | 26% | 18% |
*NEET – Not in education, employment or training, (Data from UTC tracking, DurhamWorks activity survey, national destinations data)
Key Stage 5
We are particularly pleased with our Cambridge Technical results (Mechanical & Design Engineering and Sport). These showed significant value added and an average grade of Distinction.
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| A-level Pass rate* | 94% | 98% |
| Average grade for Tech level qualifications | Distinction- | Distinction |
| Average grade for A levels | D+ | C- |
| Average grade for Applied General L3 qualifications | Merit | Merit + |
| T-Level | n/a | Merit – |
| Level 2 Engineering (PEO) – full/partial award | 87% / 100% | 60% / 100% |
| GCSE English resit (value added) | +0.4 | +0.4 |
| GCSE Maths resit (value added) | +0.2 | +0.1 |
Key Stage 4
In looking at exam results it is important to understand that UTCs offer a education which is focused on the skills students need for their careers. While all students study a core of academic qualifications, and most complete 8 or 9 GCSEs or equivalent, the curriculum is not defined by subjects chosen to maximise school performance measures.
The Department for Education is clear that the normal secondary school measure of Progress 8 is not relevant for UTCs. Firstly, Progress 8 is measured from 11 to 16 and when students come to us they have had three years at other schools. Secondly, our curriculum is technically focused and driven by employers; students gain qualifications and learn skills that employers are looking for.
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| Progress 8 from starting points (while at the UTC) | -0.14 | -0.28 |
| Progress 8 from KS2 (including three years at previous schools)* | -1.1 | -1.0 |
| Attainment 8 Score | 34.4 | 36.4 |
| % of students achieving 5+ in English and Maths | 22% | 20% |
| % of students achieving 4+ in English and Maths | 36% | 45% |
| % of students entering for the EBacc*** | 0% | 0% |
| % of students with positive destinations after leaving | 98% | 100% |
*Note on DfE school performance website
***The UTC curriculum is STEM focused and does not cover the full range of Ebacc subjects
School Performance Data: View our school performance by following this link.
At our most recent Ofsted inspection we were judged Good across all categories. 94% of parents told the inspectors that they would recommend the UTC to other parents.
Why not come and see for yourself the great experience that students have at UTC South Durham? We have Open events for Year 10 and 12 entry and, with a prior appointment, we are happy to show you around during the normal working day.
