An overview of Baker Dearing’s impact

• 47 UTCs are open today, educating c.19,000 students.
• The DfE has supported the UTC programme and has publicly acknowledged the UTC brand and Baker Dearing: a Memorandum of Understanding with Baker Dearing, which sets out the key principles and working arrangements between the two organisations, was signed in June 2019.
• Significant operational support has been ensured within the DfE and ESFA (c. 1 FTE staff member per UTC has been employed), to help all UTCs to succeed;
• Ofsted and the DfE have recognised publicly that Progress 8 and EBacc are not appropriate accountability measures for UTCs, whereas leaver destinations would be a more suitable measure;
• Ofsted inspectors have developed a deeper understanding of UTCs. Today, three-quarters of UTC grades are currently good or outstanding. Four UTCs are now recognised as outstanding;
• The ESFA and HM Treasury have developed a greater appreciation of the additional costs of running a UTC, when compared with a mainstream secondary school;

• A DfE grant of transitional funding has been secured for each of the past five years, totalling £900,000 per UTC;
• c.400 employers and universities have been recruited nationally to support UTCs;
• A practical model of employer engagement within a school setting has been developed, and third parties recognise UTC success with project-based learning;
• Outstanding student destinations after leaving UTCS, into hard-to-fill areas of the economy including Level 4+ apprenticeships and STEM courses at university, have been achieved;
• Political support for UTCs has been demonstrated across parties;
• The Baker Clause aims to raise awareness of technical education by requiring all schools to permit UTC staff to talk to their students, and was enhanced through the 2022 Skills Bills;
• Most importantly, the life chances of over 50,000 students have been materially improved, by providing them with an education today which really does prepare them for tomorrow’s careers.