First ever post 16 A level and Diploma results reward student endeavour at South Devon UTC

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 9:10am

​South Devon University Technical College is bolstering its reputation as a prudent choice for students and parents seeking an innovative approach to their technical education, with its first set of post 16 results since the college was opened in 2015.

There is much to celebrate with 90% of the students taking either Engineering or Science courses gaining distinctions in their diplomas.  Alongside this, students have gained good grades in Mathematics and Science A levels to support these qualifications as stepping stones to their next stage of education or employment.

Notable successes were Josh Dolan who gained a triple distinction star in Engineering and a grade C in A level mathematics, Dan Woolnough who achieved a double distinction star in Engineering and a B in A level Maths and Physics, also Bertie Purser-Mountford who gained a triple distinction star in Engineering and an AS level in mathematics as well as Ellen Barkas who gained a double distinction and merit in her Engineering Diploma.  Kieran Miller gained a triple distinction star in Applied Science and Sarah Martin Pilkington who gained a triple distinction in Applied Science.  Andrew Hughes who was the very first student to sign up for the UTC gained a triple distinction in Applied Science and goes on to study an MSc in Marine Science at Plymouth University.

All students have appropriately challenging destinations ahead of them. Josh Dolan is planning a career in Engineering with the Royal Navy alongside Conor East, both of whom go to University to study Engineering first of all.  Dan Woolnough is looking forward to studying materials engineering at Exeter University.  Kieran Miller goes to Plymouth University to study Geography and Jessada Supra-Aksom will join the RAF after studying Engineering at Cardiff University.  Joseph Phippard and Bertie Purser-Mountford are joining MB Aerospace and Centrax respectively as apprentices.  

Other students who have secured advanced apprenticeships with their qualifications are Paul Baker who is going to Devon County Council working in Civil Engineering, Ellen Barkas who is going to Briggs and Forester, Sam Allen has secured an apprenticeship with Totnes based Tuckers and Toby Bayliss who is joining VW in Exeter.  These are just a few of the wonderful success stories this year.

Commenting on the grades achieved by students who visited the college today to collect their results, Principal Ian Crews said: “I am extremely proud of our students for their successes in this, the first round of Diploma and A –level results reported by the college.

“It totally justifies the decision taken by South Devon College, the University of Exeter and our public and private sector partners to establish a college that takes a radical new approach to educating teenagers, with a greater emphasis on vocational training in engineering and science and a focus on preparation for the workplace.

“I am also delighted that our team of teachers, students and partner organisations have worked so well together to develop young people who are not only well-rounded as potential employees, but can also perform to a high standard on an academic level. These A-level students will now go on to university, a career in the armed forces or an apprenticeship relevant to their studies.

“We look forward in September to welcoming a new intake of young people who will carry on the high standards set by our initial group of students and give themselves a great opportunity to learn, grow and prosper”.

Based in Newton Abbot, South Devon UTC is a science and engineering specialist school which offers 14-18 year olds more than the traditional GCSE and A-level curriculum. The college, motto “Start Here – Go anywhere” was opened in June 2016 by Dr Helen Sharman, the first Briton into space.

Students work towards GCSEs and A-levels as well as technical qualifications in engineering and science. The college provides an environment that mirrors the workplace, helping students develop important employability skills to prepare them for a job, apprenticeship or degree when they leave school.

South Devon UTC partners with local businesses and can therefore offer its students hands-on experience of the work environment and also the type of employment that might follow on from their studies.

South Devon UTC has a limited number of spaces remaining for students looking to start Year 10 or Year 12 this September.  Young people with a flair for science and engineering are actively encouraged to contact the college as soon as possible by calling 01626 240201 or visiting the website www.southdevonutc.org for more information.

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