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The Watford UTC

The Watford UTC
Address
Map
Colonial Way

Watford
,
Hertfordshire
,
WD24 4PT

England
Information
School typeUniversity Technical College
Established2014
Closed2023
TrustThe Baker Dearing Educational Trust
Department for Education URN141004 Tables
OfstedReports
PrincipalMr Paul Quinn
GenderMixed
Age14 to 19
Capacity600
Hours in school day9-5
Websitehttps://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.[6] The school had also received support during Richard Harrington's tenure as Watford MP,[7][8][9] and his successor's tenure Dean Russel who served as a governor of the school.[6]

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.[10]

The school struggled to attract pupils, and in 2021 it announced plans to open a Key Stage 3 section, teaching eleven year olds.[11]

The Department for Education confirmed that The Watford UTC would close at the end of the 2022/2023 academic year.[6] 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:

  • Using a NAO - programmable humanoid robot. [13]
  • Planning and managing student led events with event spaces such as The Innovation Hub, student led travel agency Escape, and Refresh Cafe.[14][15][16][17]
  • Student nationwide competitions. [18]
  • Industry work placements[19][20]


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
Notes KS4 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[21]

Category Subjects
Core subjects
  • Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
  • Student Support Programme
  • Industry Links/Work Placements
Notes on core subjects The 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 options Students 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

  • Tom Lish – English judoka who won a gold medal in the 90kg category at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, Bahamas.[22][23]
  • The school highlighted the achievements of its alumni through posts on its social media platforms.

Social Media

References

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

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