Ofsted Reports & Inspections

Aylesbury UTC / Parents – Bucks UTC / Ofsted Reports & Inspections

Ofsted Parent View gives you the chance to tell us what you think about Aylesbury UTC. By sharing your views, you’ll be helping us to improve, and also allow other parents and carers to see your views on many important topics, from the curriculum, learning support and student development.

To take part in Ofsted Parent View, click here. Please ensure you type ‘Aylesbury UTC’. Find further Aylesbury UTC Ofsted inspections here.

Aylesbury UTC Ofsted Full Inspection – March 2022

We have now received the final report from Ofsted following our inspection on 22nd and 23rd March 2022. The full report will be published on the Ofsted website from Monday 23rd May 2022. However, we are allowed to inform parents and carers of the outcome in advance. You can find the report on this page or in the ‘Governance’ section of our website here.

The grades that can be awarded are Outstanding (1), Good (2), Requires Improvement (3) or Inadequate (4). Previously the school was judged as ‘Requires Improvement’ (3). In this recent inspection, the school was judged overall to be within the category of ‘Requires Improvement’ (3) again.

We feel that the inspection was carried out fairly and the overall outcome is an accurate reflection of the current position of Aylesbury UTC. The result is in keeping with our own self assessment of school performance. Inspectors acknowledged that we have identified the key areas for development that the new leadership of Aylesbury UTC is taking purposeful steps to drive improvements. It was recognised that since November 2021, when the UTC joined Merchant Taylors’ Oxfordshire Academy Trust, significant progress has been made and there is confidence that this positive direction will continue in the coming months and years.

The report highlights several areas of strength and recent improvement, of which we are particularly proud:

  • Our caring environment
  • High quality facilities
  • Close link with employers
  • A culture of student well-being and safety
  • Leaders’ high aspirations for students
  • Senior leaders’ and Governors’ focus and determination
  • SEND student support
  • English curriculum
  • Literacy support
  • High expectations of student behaviour
  • Computing and Construction extracurricular opportunities
  • Careers advice and guidance

The report highlighted five main areas for further improvement:

  • Curriculum planning
  • Assessment in lessons
  • Reading
  • Attendance
  • Students’ personal development

Whilst we would like the overall outcome of any inspection to be at least Good, we are confident that steps are being taken to bring about rapid improvement. We look forward to welcoming inspectors back to an even stronger school in the future. We are grateful to students and families for your ongoing support of Aylesbury UTC as we build on strengths and address areas for development. We would also like to thank Governors, Trust members and all staff at Aylesbury UTC for their continued hard work to provide our young people with the best possible opportunities for future success. As the report mentions, we are “determined to continue to improve the quality of education to help all pupils to truly flourish and succeed.”

If you would like a paper copy of the report, please contact us at reception@aylesburyutc.co.uk. For a more detailed discussion about the report, please make an appointment with Nick Lamb, Principal, by contacting Reception in the first instance.

Student Survey Results

In July 2022 Baker Dearing conducted a UTC specific information  survey. Conclusively, the question to Year 10 demonstrate how a UTC education excites them:

  • As part of my education, I really want employer experiences such as
    projects, talks and Work Experience
  • Doing technical or creative subjects will help me understand what I want to
    study at Sixth Form
  • I know I will gain things which will make me employable such as
    communication, teamwork, problem-solving skills, greater confidence,
    professional attitude.
  • I think I have more chance of gaining an apprenticeship if I attend a UTC.
  • I think I have more chance of going to university if I attend a UTC.