About

A new concept in education

In the first place University Technical Colleges (UTC’s) are a new concept in education. Importantly, responding to growing demands from the local community careers required in the Building, Computing and Health industries. It started when these industries need high calibre employees with relevant education. Moreover government are supporting the different way that students can learn and how Bucks UTC students are a level above and work ready which we are very proud of.

Additionally, on 1st November Bucks UTC became a valued member of The Merchant Taylors’ Oxfordshire Academy Trust (MTOAT) which was formed in 2011 with Wallingford School and Brightwell cum Sotwell Primary School. We are proud of this new link with the Merchant Taylors’ Company in the City of London. The focus of MTOAT is to deliver high quality education in a small number of academies.

Our vision and values are rooted within a belief that every young person is capable of being successful regardless of background, prior attainment or previous school experience

Exciting opportunities for students aged 14 – 19 years old

One important aspect of Bucks UTC is how we continue to evolve with exciting opportunities for students aged 14-19 years old. If you wish to explore the industry of computing, building studies or health with our specialist employer-led courses, then you have come to the right place. Alongside a core curriculum at Year 10 and 11 you will undertake a specialist diploma in your chosen area of interest. At Year 12 and 13 you will get the chance to work in many different companies whilst undertaking a course of study which will open up all of the routes you might wish to consider.

We combine the hand and the mind to integrate national curriculum requirements (GCSE, BTEC) with technical, practical and employer-led elements.

Employer led education

The UTC brings together major local employers such as Taylor Wimpey, Cisco and McAfee in equal partnership.This ensures students gain the right skills and motivation and are given a genuine work-related learning experience which will improve their employability within the Construction and Computing sectors.

‘I was delighted to see the students embracing their academic and vocational training in Computing and Construction when I visited. We are desperately short of skilled technicians in these areas in the UK and it’s great to meet the next generation’. – The Rt Hon Lord Baker of Dorking CH, Chair of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, a registered charity that promotes University Technical Colleges.A good

Welcome from the Principal

I am writing to formally introduce myself as the new Principal at Bucks UTC, a role I will be assuming from the start of November. As you know, I have been working alongside Sarah Valentine and the rest of the staff since September. We have been focusing on a variety of school aspects to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.

Thank you Sarah Valentine

Firstly, I would like to publicly acknowledge the outstanding contribution Sarah has made to Bucks UTC. Having spent time working together in recent weeks, it is very clear that Sarah cares a huge amount for the students, families and staff associated with the school and the wider community too. I have spoken to people in a variety of roles and there have been many comments about the positive impact Sarah has had during her time as Principal. Sarah leads by example with seemingly endless levels of energy and enthusiasm for the job and has clearly inspired others to take the same determined approach. Without doubt, she has made a difference to the lives of numerous young people and I very much hope she leaves with a huge amount of pride about her work at Bucks UTC. I wish Sarah every success in her pursuits beyond this role and we look forward to hearing from her in the future.

Nick Lamb – “a focus on technical education and purposeful destinations for our young people.”

Secondly, I would like to thank students, families and staff for the warm welcome they have offered me so far. I realise that a change of leadership can be unsettling for some. I hope to reassure everyone involved through my actions in the coming weeks and months. There will undoubtedly be some changes in the day-today operations in school and I would like to thank you in advance for your patience whilst some new routines become embedded. What won’t change are the overall principles by which Bucks UTC is underpinned – a focus on technical education and purposeful destinations for our young people.

Bucks UTC is now part of Merchant Taylors’ Oxfordshire Academy Trust

Thirdly, it is worth highlighting how excited I am to be taking on this role at such a pivotal moment in the journey of Bucks UTC. The school is now part of Merchant Taylors’ Oxfordshire Academy Trust. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with students and colleagues from other settings, to share good practice and ultimately to provide stability in the future of Bucks UTC. MTOAT is a successful and well-respected Trust that will be able to support the school to continue making progress. Importantly, our colleagues at MTOAT are morally driven, just like those here, and aim to send young people into the world able and qualified to play their full part in it. The relationship is one I am very much looking forward to developing in the coming years. well-established vocational curriculum is the most distinctive and successful feature of the school’s provision. In keeping with the school’s mission, all students engage with employers through their chosen specialism.

Our recent Ofsted report stated:

Leaders’ sharp focus on the world of work means that students learn quickly about the importance of professional appearance and behaviour. Speakers from local and national businesses give regular presentations to students on expectations and opportunities in the workplace. Consequently, the majority of students are self-confident, mature young adults who are ambitious for their own futures.
Strong links with national companies, as well as with businesses and charities locally, give students access to a rich and varied range of work-related learning opportunities, particularly in the sixth form
The school’s work to promote students’ personal development and welfare is good.
There is a strong culture of safeguarding in the school. Students feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe.
16 to 19 study programmes are good because students benefit from effective teaching and a stimulating and exciting curriculum offer, which give rise to consistently strong outcomes
Outcomes in vocational subjects at key stage 4 are consistently strong because the quality of teaching in these subjects is effective.

‘The support has been amazing. He has been made to feel safe and able to learn effectively. The school is well led and I believe he will leave school ready for the workforce and with great skills and opportunities!’

We are very proud of our students, teaching team and the strong outcomes Ofsted recognised. If you would like to be part of the economic future of Buckinghamshire then please get in touch.

Nick Lamb

Principal