silverstone utc
Northamptonshire
I hope you and your family managed to have a relaxing summer and enjoyed the
sunshine. Now that all of our students are back in school, I just wanted to
introduce myself as the new Principal and to introduce you to my two new
Deputies. I also wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with some
updates on what lies ahead for Silverstone UTC. After 19 years in teaching,
mostly at senior levels in a pastoral capacity, I take over the helm of the UTC
at a very exciting time. This year’s KS4 admissions were the best ever and we
currently have a waiting list of over fifty students wishing to join Year 10.
Year 12 recruitment was very pleasing, with numbers up and the academic calibre
of the intake being a testament to their hard work in their GCSE examinations.
It is always so inspiring when young people rise to a challenge. With this year
being the first year of formal KS4 examination since Covid, it is heartening to
see how many have secured the GCSEs needed to take them onto their next steps.
Both new year groups have made an excellent start and they and their
Parents/Carers should be rightly proud. It is now vital that our students
maintain that positivity and that they work alongside teaching staff to maximise
their potential. With regard to the students who will be starting their final
years in KS4 and KS5, I am confident that they are now entering those years
better prepared for what lies ahead as the shadow of Covid appears to have
lifted. Our job, alongside these students, is to ensure that we work hard to
secure for them the academic success that will allow them to fulfil their future
dreams and aspirations. The importance of maintaining strong academic outcomes
and supporting these students is borne out by the destinations for this year’s
leavers. Many secured jobs in organisations like BAE, Mercedes AMG, Boeing, Roll
Royce, Scania, Torque Motorsport, DB Automotive and the Armed Forces whilst
others went on to colleges and university to study a range of subjects such as
Architecture, Finance, Automotive and Civil Engineering, Marketing and Renewable
Technologies. In 2021 none of our students (by choice) were without
opportunities in education, employment and training and it would appear, given
early indications, that this is going to be the same for this year’s leavers.
What an excellent outcome for our young people. It reflects the fact that
students who attend the UTC are seen by many employers, outside agencies and
educational institutions as much more work-ready than those from other
educational establishments. The ethos of work-readiness and of developing the
personal qualities of our students so they can flourish in their next stage is a
core theme that is going to underpin the excellent educational opportunities
that all the staff in the UTC will strive to provide for your sons and
daughters. We are current fully staffed and my new deputies bring a wealth of
knowledge and experience that will strengthen the Senior Leadership Team
immensely. Mrs Angela Murphy is the Deputy for Curriculum and Achievement. She
comes from Lord Grey and has been pivotal in securing them a good outcome in
their recent inspection. Her reputation for expecting high standards in
curriculum delivery and maximising achievement will, I am sure, lead to greater
effectiveness of teachers and greater academic understanding for your sons and
daughters. She will work alongside our Assistant Principal, Mr Simon Hollies,
who brings a broad and in-depth understating of academic theories related to
improving the quality of teaching and Learning. Between them and the staff at
the UTC, I am wholly confident that best practise in the class will be the norm
for all. My other new deputy, Mr William Jakeman, joins us as Head of Pastoral
Care, which includes behaviour and safeguarding. Mr Jakeman has had many years’
experience in this role at the most senior levels and has a reputation of
upholding the highest standards, whilst underpinning his expectations with a
fairness, kindness and compassionate rigour that is respected by students who
know he has their best interest at heart. It is also important to me and my team
that wellbeing needs of SEN(D) and disadvantages are met as best as we can and
to that end, this year, I have appointed a SEN(D) Teaching and Learning Lead (Ms
Jessica Dixon) who will work alongside our SENCO (Ms Christie Norris) and our
very talented Teaching Assistants (Mrs Lauren Leeson and Mrs Jessica Ryzman). Ms
Dixon’s focus will be to ensure that the specific needs of SEN(D) students in
the class are being met and that these students and their parents/carers have an
advocate who will work alongside them to ensure the best educational experience
for their sons and daughters. As a teacher of many years, she brings to the role
a clear understanding of what has to be achieved and I have every confidence in
her ability to make good things happen for students in her care. Finally, I have
the privileged task of guiding the long term future of the UTC towards a
Multi-Academic Trust (MAT). In aiming to join a Trust in September 2023, we will
seek to ensure that Silverstone UTC has the best opportunities to share with
other schools the best academic and well-being expertise, fiscal security,
strength and depths in a wider curriculum that will benefit our students and
staff and in so doing, further strengthen the already great position in which we
find ourselves today. As that process continues, I will be updating all those
involved but I start the journey excited by the great benefits that being part
of a MAT will bring to the UTC, our staff and most importantly your sons and
daughters. I end by thanking everyone involved in the UTC for the start made
this term. I offer my assurances that I will work hard to guide the UTC in the
best way possible and with such great students, supportive Parents/Carers and
talented staff, I am confident that the future for Silverstone is a positive one
for all involved. My best wishes, John Principal
