South Devon UTC students celebrate impressive GCSE results

South Devon University Technical College (UTC) has demonstrated that its impressive post 16 results, celebrated last week, are no flash in the pan. Students in Year 11 are also celebrating after receiving notable GCSE results.

Newton Abbot’s pioneering technical college opened its doors from 8:30am this morning for the scientists and engineers of the future to collect their exam results. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, GCSE exams were cancelled this year, so exam boards have instead given out grades based on assessments and rankings supplied by the teachers at South Devon UTC.

There is much to celebrate with excellent results in the college’s specialist subjects.

Notable academic successes were Ed Coomer, Jake Dicken and Darcy Lambert-Barnett who achieved top grades in all three Sciences, Engineering, English and Maths. Ben Shears, Ben Pring, Freddie Holding and Cam Williams also achieved excellent grades in Maths, English and the Sciences.

Top Engineers Reuben Renton, Charlie Russell, Henry McConville and Freddie Holding all achieved Level 2 Merits and Distinctions in Engineering Manufacture and Design. Ed Coomer’s exceptional 9 in Physics, 8 in Computer Science and Distinction Level 2 in Engineering Systems is also to be highly commended.

Commenting on the grades achieved by students who visited the college today to collect their results, Principal Claire Plumb said:

“I am extremely proud of our students for their successes in this fourth round of GCSE results that we have received since we opened in 2015. Despite the major disruption to their studies caused by the pandemic, they’ve continued to work extremely hard, and this is reflected in their results.”

Claire continued: “It is further vindication of 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. Inside these doors, we place 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 employer 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. Many of these students will now go on to develop their skills even further, giving local employers the confidence that young people with the right skill sets are available on their doorstep.

“We look forward to welcoming the new group of aspiring scientists, mathematicians, environmentalists and engineers through our doors in September.”

Year 13 students who left South Devon UTC last week have challenging destinations ahead of them with many going on to university, a career in the armed forces or an apprenticeship relevant to their studies.

Based in Newton Abbot, South Devon UTC is a science and engineering specialist school which offers 14-19 year olds more than the traditional GCSE and A-level curriculum. Launched in 2015, South Devon UTC has a mission: ‘to establish a world class centre of excellence in engineering, water and the environment’ for any young people who have an interest in these fields in order to ‘develop a new generation of engineers, scientists and environmentalists.’

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 is now recruiting students for the 2021/22 academic year. Open mornings run every Friday from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Register your interest to attend by calling 01626 240201 or visit www.southdevonutc.org/open-evenings.