The Watford UTC
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox school
| name = The Watford UTC
| image =
| image_size =
| logo = File:Fair use logo The Watford UTC.png
| schooltype = University Technical College
| established = 2014
| closed = 2023
| head_label =
| r_head_label =
| r_head =
| founder =
| address = Colonial Way
| city = Watford
| county = Hertfordshire
| country = England
| postcode = WD24 4PT
| trust = The Baker Dearing Educational Trust
| urn = 141004
| ofsted = yes
| principal = Paul Quinn
| capacity = 600
| hours_in_day = 9-5
| enrolment =
| gender = Mixed
| lower_age = 14
| upper_age = 19
| website = https://www.watfordutc.org
}}
The Watford UTC was a 14–19 University Technical College (UTC) in Watford, England that opened in September 2014{{Cite web|url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11396051.parking_concerns_could_put_the_breaks_on_watford_university_technical_college/|title=Parking concerns could put the brakes on Watford University Technical College|last=Cherryman|first=Beth|date=7 August 2014|website=Watford Observer|language=en|access-date=2 December 2018}}{{Cite web |date=2014-09-15 |title=The Watford University Technical College opened its doors today |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11474819.the-watford-university-technical-college-opened-its-doors-today/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}} The UTC specialised in Event Management, Hospitality and Computer Science.{{Cite web |date=2015-03-10 |title=Lord Baker tours Watford UTC |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11845498.lord-baker-really-impressed-with-watford-utc/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}
The UTC's sponsors were the University of Hertfordshire, Hilton Worldwide (whose European base is in Watford), The Grove, Toshiba, and Twin Technology who specialise in server provision and virtualisation.{{Cite web |date=2014-04-04 |title=Watford University Technical College: 'exactly the kind of education we are looking for' |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11127051.watford-university-technical-college-exactly-the-kind-of-education-we-are-looking-for/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}} The UTC was also sponsored by Meller Educational Trust,{{Cite web |last=Mendel |first=Jack |date=2018-01-09 |title=Education chief 'thrilled and really proud' with New Year’s honour |url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/education-chief-thrilled-and-really-proud-with-new-years-honour/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Jewish News |language=en-US}} founded by David Meller, and The Baker Dearing Educational Trust. The school had also received support during Richard Harrington's tenure as Watford MP,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.cpac.ca/british-prime-ministers-question-time/episode/june-18-2014?id=503242ea-7afe-485c-b131-13dc611bbe98 |title=June 18, 2014 |language=en |access-date=2024-11-24 |via=www.cpac.ca}}{{Cite web |date=2014-06-18 |title=Prime Minister praises new Watford University Technical College |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11285578.prime-minister-praises-new-watford-university-technical-college/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2014-04-03 |title=Watford’s University Technical College finds a home |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11124667.watfords-university-technical-college-finds-a-home/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}} and his successor's tenure Dean Russel who served as a governor of the school.
History
It was visited by Ofsted in 2017 and declared a good school. In 2018 it failed to set a balanced budget and had its funding monitored by central government.{{cite web |last1=Whittaker |first1=Freddie |title=Watford UTC hit with financial notice to improve |url=https://schoolsweek.co.uk/watford-utc-hit-with-financial-notice-to-improve/ |website=Schools Week |access-date=12 April 2021 |date=11 May 2018}}
The school struggled to attract pupils, and in 2021 it announced plans to open a Key Stage 3 section, teaching eleven year olds.{{cite web |title=THE WATFORD ACADEMY & UTC |url=https://www.watfordutc.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Academy-at-Watford-UTC-v4-120.pdf |website=/www.watfordutc.org |access-date=12 April 2021}}
The Department for Education confirmed that The Watford UTC would close at the end of the 2022/2023 academic year.{{Cite web|last1=Flanagan|first1=Chris|url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/23297625.watford-utc-disappointed-closure-summer-confirmed/|title=Watford UTC 'disappointed' as closure this summer confirmed|publisher=Watford Observer|date=3 February 2023|access-date=5 February 2023}} The school formally closed at the end of August 2023. Financial figures showed a net revenue deficit of £103,000 in 2021-22, with a net book value of fixed assets valued at £7.7 million.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-10 |title=Another UTC to close after failing to attract students |url=https://schoolsweek.co.uk/watford-utc-close-university-technical-college-policy/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=schoolsweek.co.uk |language=en-GB}}
Education
The school focused on providing academic education with specialisms in vocation education.
In addition to offering academic and vocational GCSE / Level 2 and A Level / Level 3 qualifications, the school would encourage students to partake in extra-curricular activities and work placements. Examples include:
- Using a NAO - programmable humanoid robot. {{Cite web |date=2016-03-22 |title=Watford UTC joins national ‘Think UTC’ celebration day |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/14375336.watford-utc-joins-national-think-utc-celebration-day/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}
- Planning and managing student led events with event spaces such as The Innovation Hub, student led travel agency Escape, and Refresh Cafe.{{Cite web |date=2015-02-20 |title=Watford UTC students host Question Time event |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11806033.watford-utc-students-host-question-time-event/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2015-01-09 |title=Watford Yoga studio to offer UTC students work placements and sessions to combat exam stress |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11713661.watford-yoga-studio-to-offer-utc-students-work-placements-and-sessions-to-combat-exam-stress/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2014-12-16 |title=Students at Watford's new University Technical College organise and manage 'Vintage Spice' afternoon |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11669607.students-at-watfords-new-university-technical-college-organise-and-manage-vintage-spice-afternoon/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2015-03-24 |title=Students support Abbots Langley charity with House of Commons event |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11876928.students-support-abbots-langley-charity-with-house-of-commons-event/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}
- Student nationwide competitions. {{Cite web |date=2016-12-06 |title=Watford tech head teens return victorious from national competition |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/14949471.watford-tech-head-teens-from-watford-university-technical-college-return-victorious-from-national-fujitsu-competition/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}
- Industry work placements{{Cite web |date=2015-01-09 |title=Watford Yoga studio to offer UTC students work placements and sessions to combat exam stress |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/11713661.watford-yoga-studio-to-offer-utc-students-work-placements-and-sessions-to-combat-exam-stress/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2015-10-27 |title=Hospitality students at Watford UTC got hands-on training from two hotels |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/13899274.hospitality-students-at-watford-utc-got-hands-on-training-from-two-hotels/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Watford Observer |language=en}}
The following subjects were offered between 2017 and 2019. The information was accessed via the Watford UTC website's page on courses offered. However the website has now shut down, and the information should be viewed as legacy information. This information was originally uploaded to this wiki page in 2019.
= KS4 (2017–2019) – Year 10/11<ref name=":1">https://www.watfordutc.org</ref> =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Category !Subjects |
| Core subjects
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| Core choice
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| Specialism
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| Additional GCSE options
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| Notes
|KS4 students must undertake all core GCSE subjects and choose one subject from the core choice section. Students must also choose one specialism subject and two additional GCSEs. Options available have changed over time, with some subjects replaced due to low interest (e.g., GCSE History). Students fluent in other languages (e.g., Polish or Japanese) can take GCSEs in those languages. |
= Post-16 (2017–2019) – Year 12/13<ref name=":1" /> =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Category !Subjects |
| Core subjects
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| Notes on core subjects
|The EPQ is mandatory. The student support programme provides study assistance. Students must undertake work placements to bolster CVs and UCAS applications. |
| Specialism subjects
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| A-level options
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| Other possible A-level options
|Students may undertake A-levels not officially offered by the school, such as self-studied subjects (e.g., Polish Language A-level). Some A-level options may be removed or introduced over time (e.g., Sociology was once offered but later removed). |
Notable alumni
- Tom Lish – English judoka who won a gold medal in the 90kg category at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, Bahamas.{{cite news |date=27 November 2017 |title=Commonwealth gold for terrific teenager Tom |url=https://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-gold-for-terrific-teenager-tom-1322454 |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=Hemel Today}}{{cite web |title=Thomas Lish Judoka |url=https://judoinside.com/judoka/102359/Thomas_Lish/judo-career |access-date=24 November 2024 |website=JudoInside}}
- The school highlighted the achievements of its alumni through posts on its social media platforms.
Social Media
- [https://www.youtube.com/@WATFORDUTC/featured YouTube: Watford UTC]{{Cite web |title=WATFORD UTC |url=https://www.youtube.com/@WATFORDUTC/featured |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=YouTube |language=en}}
- [https://x.com/TheWatfordUTC X (formerly Twitter): @TheWatfordUTC]{{Cite web |title=X (Formally Twitter) - The Watford UTC |url=https://x.com/TheWatfordUTC}}
- [https://x.com/watfordutc X (formerly Twitter): @WatfordUT]{{Cite web |title=X (Formally Twitter) - The Watford UTC Principal |url=https://x.com/watfordutc}}[https://x.com/watfordutc C]
- [https://www.facebook.com/watfordutc Facebook: Watford UTC]
- [https://www.instagram.com/watfordutc/ Instagram: The Watford UTC]{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/watfordutc/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=www.instagram.com}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Schools in Hertfordshire}}
{{University technical colleges}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Watford UTC}}
Category:Defunct University Technical Colleges
Category:Educational institutions established in 2014
Category:2014 establishments in England
Category:Defunct schools in Hertfordshire