University Technical Colleges

Baker Dearing Educational Trust was founded in 2009 by Lord Baker and the late Lord Dearing and sits at the centre of the University Technical Colleges (UTC) network. The organisation supports UTC applicant groups, provides services to UTCs once they are open and promotes the UTC brand. UTCs are secondary schools for 14-19 year olds in the UK. They deliver an innovative, high-quality education that combines technical, practical and academic learning. In doing so, they offer students more than the traditional GCSE and A Level curriculum. A UTC curriculum includes one or two technical specialisms, which are linked to the skills gaps in the region. Students study GCSEs, A Levels and technical qualifications matched to these specialisms, as well as core subjects, including English, maths and science. UTCs have a special focus on science, technology, engineering and maths subjects, and all learning is designed to be applied in the workplace. Each UTC is backed by employers and a local university who work with staff to develop the curriculum that gives students first-hand experience of what life is like after school. UTCs support all routes to employment, whether they be through apprenticeship, university or straight into work after leaving. UTCs are a growing network. At the start of 2014 there were 17 UTCs open in England. By 2018, there will be over 55 UTCs across the country. Visit the University Technical Colleges group page for the latest updates, discussions and insights from the UTC community, or visit the website: www.utcolleges.org