Inspectors visited the college in May and found that since the running of the college was taken over by Parkside Federation Academies last October, the “ leadership of the UTC had been transformed” and now is described as “passionate and effective”.
The college specialises in Science, and Ofsted said that it has a culture where teachers and students enjoy working hard in an atmosphere that is highly conducive to learning. They concluded that it was the “ excellent behaviour of students around the college that creates an environment where it is a joy to teach and study”. In particular the Challenge projects which are delivered by companies such as ARM and the AstraZeneca group were “ stretching the most able students and meeting their needs well”.
The Ofsted team found that students at the College were making good progress and that the College was particularly effective at providing the students with skills which employers seek. The sixth form, judged Good at the last inspection, was found to have improved even further.
To become an Outstanding school at the next inspection,the College are focusing on reading and writing in Science and improving the attendance of a small group of students.
Sian Foreman, the new Headteacher, commented: “Students come to UTCC because they have a passion for Science and I am delighted that the Ofsted report recognised the 'wonderful opportunities' that are open to our students here. The college will join Parkside Federation Academies in September and we want it to be recognised as the place to come if you love Science and want to work with the very best teachers and local employers. With the support of our parents and Governors I want to lead the College to become the ‘outstanding’ centre for Science education in Cambridge”.
__________________________________