FAQ’s

For some students, the end of Key Stage 3 is too early to choose a subject path to follow and age 16 is too late. Students who know what they want to do can often become bored at school and so underachieve by the time they are 16. Our courses start in Year 10 and set students up so they’re ready for the work environment.

Yes! Our specialist technical qualifications run alongside all the usual GCSEs, they will be asked to make choices of GCSEs just like school and their choices will reflect their chosen specialism. These include the cores Maths, English and Science GCSE options.

UTCs allow a student to study a subject they are really interested in which is taught in industry standard facilities by teachers with real life practical experience. By 16 years old, students’ technical skills are far in advance of those students in a standard comprehensive school and more enthusiastic engagement with their academic studies leads to greater achievement in this area. A UTC education also appeals to students who have become disengaged and disinterested in studying the entire national curriculum thanks to a practical and technical course of study that works directly towards a career in Construction and IT.

And what if they want to go into Higher Education? At the end of Year 13, some of our students take an Apprenticeship or go into employment, while for others Higher Education is a clear option. The practical skills and learning that our students receive makes them stand out in their applications.

We understand that an effective transition from secondary school is essential. Therefore, we will work with local schools to provide opportunities for students to attend a range of taster sessions and open days before students start at the UTC. The first term of study will also include an introduction programme for all students to support the transition into the UTC way of learning.

The reason UTCs have been set up is to address a significant skills shortage in certain industry sectors; involving employers early on ensures we get the qualifications in place that they are asking us for. There are many UTCs based around the country. Follow this link to the UTC Colleges website for further information: https://www.utcolleges.org/about/overview/

There are some fantastic projects set up with our partners to offer our students real hands-on work experience which sets them in good stead with potential employers in the future. Our partners are also offering apprenticeships. We are supported by world-leading and local companies, such as Cisco, McAfee, Taylor Wimpey and more.

Students can either progress onto to an apprenticeship, into employment or go on to university. The UTC will help them decide which is the best route for them.

Employers play a major part in the UTC. They have helped plan what students are going to learn and ensure that the qualifications students gain are what employers require. They also meet the students on work placements and so can get to know them. While exceptional students may well be offered interviews with our employers after finishing their UTC career, all students will leave the UTC with technical experience coupled with employability skills that are attractive to employers.

The world of employment and education is changing as the impact of the cost of higher education becomes clearer. More and more companies are introducing high level apprenticeships and so UTCs are excellently placed to guide students to these exciting opportunities.

Yes. We provide free school meals for all those that are entitled. Students may be eligible for free school meals if their parents are in receipt of any of the following benefits:-

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

If you think you are eligible for Free School Meals, please contact Reception (reception@aylesburyutc.co.uk).

We encourage healthy eating and provide an excellent range of dishes for students to purchase at a very reasonable cost. Sensible and diverse meal choices are available at break and lunch times. Students can also bring in their own packed lunch.

Bucks UTC will observe the Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability Act 2001 and SEN Code of Practice, taking all reasonable steps to ensure effective provision for disabled and SEN students. If you have concerns or would like to contact someone, please get in touch.

As it is your decision to send your son/daughter to Bucks UTC rather than for them to attend your catchment area school means that Bucks County Council will not cover the cost of transport between your home and the Bucks UTC.

Assistance with transport will be considered by Bucks UTC. The process may include a request for a ‘statement of means’ in much the same way as the free school meals are assessed (see above).

There are strong public transport links via local bus services and also trains. Both the bus station and train station are within a 5 minute walk from Bucks UTC. You should research transport routes from your location first.

1. The UTC is the nearest appropriate school and the distance from your home to the school is more than the statutory walking distance of 3 miles.

2. You are a low-income family. To qualify the student will need to be entitled to free school meals (see above for free school meals eligibility criteria)

3. Bucks UTC may be able to assist outside the criteria in No. 2 above.

For enquiries on eligibility and entitlement for Buckinghamshire County Council free home to school transport please call BCC Admissions and Transport Team on 01296 383250

Full details for home to school transport policies in Buckinghamshire can be found the Local Authority website: www.buckscc.gov.uk

For applications under criteria above, to also include help with non-transport matters, you may apply direct to Bucks UTC by completing a Request for Financial Support Form which can be obtained from Reception (reception@aylesburyutc.co.uk).

It is important that students have a smart and business like appearance but we are also aware that construction students will have to comply with health and safety regulations as well as wearing clothes that fit the environment they are working in.

Please click here to find more information on our dress code.

We recognise the importance of close family involvement with students’ studies. Therefore we will hold regular parents evenings, distribute newsletters, and offer parents a consistent point of contact with staff so that you need not feel distanced from your child’s activities at the UTC. As a parent, you will automatically receive our regularly termly newsletters via email.

Generally, learning will be organised by age, but there will be room for students to be learning at a level relative to their ability and aptitudes:

An element of setting will be applied within Key Stage 4 core subject areas such as English, maths and science, and differentiated grouping will be applied within Key Stage 5 Core areas. Our enrichment programme will offer opportunities to learn in both mixed and specifically targeted groups.

While there is an element of ability grouping, a key feature of the UTC will be the personalised approach to teaching and learning, ensuring each individual student follows a learning programme designed, and regularly reviewed, to meet her/his needs and aspirations.

Students will be allocated a tutor group. The personal tutor will be responsible for the welfare of students in their tutor group. They will also monitor personal and academic progress within the students’ individualised learning programme. Students will also have will a Personal Health & Social Education lesson once a week.

The Local Authority will inform your son or daughter’s school. We will however be contacting them to begin the induction process.

You should the appropiate equipment for your child, which may include stationary. We will provide books where possible, but subjects may recommend revision material for students to purchase and work from to prepare for examinations.