Exceptional student attendance sends Ron Dearing UTC soaring ahead in GCSE and Level 2 technical results

Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) Year 11 students recorded 97% attendance overall in the past school year, with many students not missing a single day.

The attendance is far better than the 88.7% average across the Yorkshire and Humber region and 89% nationally, as recorded by the Department for Education (DfE).

This contributed to the school recording 86.6% of all GCSE grades at 4 or above. This is significantly above the national average of 67.4% announced by the DfE.

In addition, financially disadvantaged students at Ron Dearing UTC outperformed non-disadvantaged learners, with an increased percentage achieving grades 5 to 9 in English and Maths GCSEs, bucking the national trend. This demonstrates the school’s success in supporting students from all backgrounds to succeed.

As well as the 86.6% of all GCSE grades at 4 or above, highlights of Ron Dearing UTC’s GCSE and Level 2 technical results include:

• 80% of students achieved grades 4 to 9 in both English and Maths.
• 62% of students achieved grades 5 to 9 in English and Maths.
• 73% of students achieved grades 5 to 9 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
• 86% of students achieved grades 5 to 9 in creative subjects, including Photography.
• 25% of grades in technical specialisms, including Creative iMedia, Digital Technology and Engineering, were Distinction or Distinction*.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re delighted our Year 11 students have achieved such impressive results, which are so far ahead of the overall national average.

“They have exceeded even our extremely high expectations and we’re so proud of them all. 

“As well as working extremely hard over the past two years, another key factor in our students’ success is their exceptionally high attendance. This has been a massive concern nationally since the pandemic. 

“While our employer-led curriculum, great facilities and high-quality teaching and support have all played a vital role in enabling students to do so well, there’s no doubt that excellent attendance has also been a big positive factor. 

“I’d like to congratulate the students for their tremendous attendance and thank their parents and carers for encouraging them. I also want to pay tribute to our wonderful pastoral team who work so hard to ensure students are happy at Ron Dearing UTC and their attendance is as high as possible.”

The excellent results come just a week after Ron Dearing Year 13 sixth form students recorded impressive A-level and Level 3 technical outcomes, following the expansion of the school last September. 

Sarah added: “Nationally, financially disadvantaged students significantly under-perform compared to their non-disadvantaged peers. The latest results show this is not the case at Ron Dearing UTC – proof that we are a fully inclusive school with an educational approach that works for all our students.

“It’s also great to see that our fantastic new science and creative facilities have had such a positive impact on students’ performance. The outstanding results for science and creative subjects show the opportunity to learn in state-of-the art facilities really enhances learning and progress. 

“We were delighted with our Year 13 results last week and now we can have a double celebration.”

Chloe Barlow, 16, was one of many students celebrating after she achieved an impressive four grade 9s in Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics and Biology as well as a grade 8 in Maths, grades 6 in English Language and English Literature, and a Level 2 Distinction in Electronic Engineering.

She said: “I wasn’t expecting any grade 9s at all, but I got four! I worked so hard, but I was shocked when I opened my envelope. I’m so happy with my results.

“It’s great that Ron Dearing UTC works so closely with the Employer Partners. I spoke to some of them at our school Careers Expo and I’d like to do an engineering apprenticeship in the future.”

Fellow student Grace Moran, 16, was also celebrating after receiving and six GCSEs including grade 9 in English Literature and English Language, grade 8 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and grade 7 in Maths, as well as a Level 2 Distinction in Creative iMedia.

Grace will now go on to study English Literature, English Language, Chemistry and Biology in Ron Dearing UTC’s sixth form and said: “I worked really hard but was very nervous about collecting my results. 

“We had great support from the teachers throughout our exams and this is reflected in our grades. Ron Dearing UTC is an amazing school.”

Gover Gabriel Muzadi, also 16, achieved an impressive set of GCSE results, including grade 9 in Physics, grade 8 in Chemistry and Maths, grade 7 in Biology and Computer Science and grade 6 in English Language and English Literature, as well as a Level 2 Distinction in Engineering.

He said: “Coming to Ron Dearing UTC is one of the best decisions I’ve made, because it’s tailored to your way of learning. 

“I did lots of revision and thought I would scrape a grade 8 in some things, but not a 9 in Physics. 

“The teachers really care about you at Ron Dearing UTC. All of the studying we’ve done is targeted and helps you to build on your strengths and improve on your weaknesses.”

In total, 140 Ron Dearing UTC students are progressing from Year 11 into Year 12, joining the school’s sixth form, the highest number of current students following this path to date. They will be joined by 80 students from other schools.

Ron Dearing UTC, in Kingston Square, Hull city centre, caters for students aged 14 to 19. It offers a unique employer-led model of education with a specialist focus on Engineering, Maths, Sciences, Computing, Creative iMedia and English.

Richard Martin, Chair of the Governing Board at Ron Dearing UTC and Non-Executive Director at Major Partner Arco, said: “Once again, Ron Dearing UTC students have achieved excellent GCSE and Level 2 technical results and their excellent attendance has been a big factor in their success.

“This commitment and drive is exactly what employers and universities want to see in their future employees and students and highlights exactly why Ron Dearing UTC’s employer-led curriculum is so successful.

“I’d like to congratulate all the students, parents, carers, teachers and support staff for these truly wonderful results. Outcomes like these are not easily achieved and it is a fantastic team effort. Everyone involved should be very proud of themselves.”