A recent monitoring inspection of UTC Plymouth by Ofsted has been extremely positive. The inspection identified the significant improvements made since the disappointing inspection in 2016. The report states leaders and managers at the UTC are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.
The Chair of Governors, Nick Buckland OBE, has been instrumental in supporting and driving UTC Plymouth to this outcome. Nick said:
The Staff, Governors and Students of UTC Plymouth have actually wanted the Ofsted inspection for some time. We all knew that they would find an improving school and this report demonstrates that the ongoing work has been successful. We need to continue to show improvement that takes us out of special measures as quickly as possible and the inspection team recognised that objective and saw that we are on the right trajectory. The hard work of the whole team in the school has paid off and I’m immensely proud of them all.
The report highlights positive changes made by Principal Polly Lovell and as a result, Polly will stay on in her role as Principal to ensure continued improvement at the UTC is maintained. The appointment of a new Head of English is effectively driving forward the literacy programme within the college.
Ofsted report that students ‘talked of how their engagement with learning and enjoyment of education had improved markedly since joining UTC Plymouth at the start of the year. Students in Year 13 are much happier now, due to recent improvements in the quality of education in the sixth form, particularly valuing the work to develop their employability.’
The improvement in careers education was acknowledged, meaning that students are now following programmes more suited to their needs. This in turn has improved behaviour within the college as students are more engaged. Ofsted referred to the development of employability and work related learning as “particularly strong”. In 2016 all students on the 16-19 programmes who left UTC Plymouth went onto higher or further education, apprenticeships or employment.
Polly Lovell Principal of UTC Plymouth said:
I am really pleased for all the staff, students and our governors that have worked so hard in the last year to turn around the previous judgement. Our ongoing collaborations with other city schools provides a benchmark for us to check on our progress. The vital affiliation with the Royal Navy and Plymouth Manufacturers Group really secures what a different model of education we are providing in the city. I am confident during the next academic year UTC Plymouth will be well on its way to being rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted. I look forward to leading the college as it continues its improvement journey
For more information about UTC Plymouth, please visit: www.utcplymouth.org
