The Watford UTC explained

The Watford UTC
Schooltype:University Technical College
Established:2014
Closed:2023
Address:Colonial Way
Country:England
Postcode:WD24 4PT
Trust:The Baker Dearing Educational Trust
Urn:141004
Ofsted:yes
Principal:Mr Paul Quinn
Capacity:600
Hours In Day:9-5
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[1] [2] The UTC specialised in Event Management, Hospitality and Computer Science.[3]

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.[4] The UTC was also sponsored by Meller Educational Trust,[5] founded by David Meller, and The Baker Dearing Educational Trust. The school had also received support during Richard Harrington's tenure as Watford MP,[6] [7] [8] 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.[9]

The school struggled to attract pupils, and in 2021 it announced plans to open a Key Stage 3 section, teaching eleven year olds.[10]

The Department for Education confirmed that The Watford UTC would close at the end of the 2022/2023 academic year.[11] 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.[12]

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:

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[21]

!Category!Subjects
Core subjects
  • GCSE English Language and Literature
  • GCSE Maths
  • GCSE Science (Double)
Core choice
  • GCSE Computer Science
  • European Computer Driving Licence
Specialism
  • BTEC IT
  • BTEC Travel and Tourism with Event Management
  • BTEC Hospitality
  • BTEC Business
Additional GCSE options
  • SPDM Level 2 (Smart Product Design & Manufacture)
  • Media
  • Photography
  • Spanish
  • French
NotesKS4 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

!Category!Subjects
Core subjects
  • Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
  • Student Support Programme
  • Industry Links/Work Placements
Notes on core subjectsThe EPQ is mandatory. The student support programme provides study assistance. Students must undertake work placements to bolster CVs and UCAS applications.
Specialism subjects
  • BTEC IT
  • BTEC Travel & Tourism
  • BTEC Business
  • BTEC Media
A-level options
  • English Literature
  • Maths
  • Further Maths
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Photography
Other possible A-level optionsStudents 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

Social Media

External links

51.666°N -0.3868°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parking concerns could put the brakes on Watford University Technical College. Cherryman. Beth. 7 August 2014. Watford Observer. en. 2 December 2018.
  2. Web site: 2014-09-15 . The Watford University Technical College opened its doors today . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  3. Web site: 2015-03-10 . Lord Baker tours Watford UTC . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  4. Web site: 2014-04-04 . Watford University Technical College: 'exactly the kind of education we are looking for' . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  5. Web site: Mendel . Jack . 2018-01-09 . Education chief 'thrilled and really proud' with New Year’s honour . 2024-11-24 . Jewish News . en-US.
  6. June 18, 2014 . en . 2024-11-24 . www.cpac.ca.
  7. Web site: 2014-06-18 . Prime Minister praises new Watford University Technical College . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  8. Web site: 2014-04-03 . Watford’s University Technical College finds a home . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  9. Web site: Whittaker . Freddie . Watford UTC hit with financial notice to improve . Schools Week . 12 April 2021 . 11 May 2018.
  10. Web site: THE WATFORD ACADEMY & UTC . /www.watfordutc.org . 12 April 2021.
  11. Web site: Flanagan. Chris. Watford UTC 'disappointed' as closure this summer confirmed. Watford Observer. 3 February 2023. 5 February 2023.
  12. Web site: 2023-02-10 . Another UTC to close after failing to attract students . 2024-11-24 . schoolsweek.co.uk . en-GB.
  13. Web site: 2016-03-22 . Watford UTC joins national ‘Think UTC’ celebration day . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  14. Web site: 2015-02-20 . Watford UTC students host Question Time event . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  15. Web site: 2015-01-09 . Watford Yoga studio to offer UTC students work placements and sessions to combat exam stress . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  16. Web site: 2014-12-16 . Students at Watford's new University Technical College organise and manage 'Vintage Spice' afternoon . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  17. Web site: 2015-03-24 . Students support Abbots Langley charity with House of Commons event . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  18. Web site: 2016-12-06 . Watford tech head teens return victorious from national competition . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  19. Web site: 2015-01-09 . Watford Yoga studio to offer UTC students work placements and sessions to combat exam stress . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  20. Web site: 2015-10-27 . Hospitality students at Watford UTC got hands-on training from two hotels . 2024-11-24 . Watford Observer . en.
  21. https://www.watfordutc.org
  22. News: 27 November 2017 . Commonwealth gold for terrific teenager Tom . 24 November 2024 . Hemel Today.
  23. Web site: Thomas Lish Judoka . 24 November 2024 . JudoInside.
  24. Web site: WATFORD UTC . 2024-11-24 . YouTube . en.
  25. Web site: X (Formally Twitter) - The Watford UTC .
  26. Web site: X (Formally Twitter) - The Watford UTC Principal .
  27. Web site: Instagram . 2024-11-24 . www.instagram.com.

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