UTC Swindon

The construction industry has some fantastic career opportunities, offering the chance to work on endless interesting and complex projects. Our students today got to explore a local Swindon one: the new Thames Water offices, hosted by Overbury.

As a large office outfitting company, Overbury work on many large properties and projects, and we're really grateful to them for showing our students around this interesting site.

The students enjoyed a guided tour, learned how all the trades work together in order to complete a complex project in a safe and timely manner, and explored the innovative soundproofing design and office layout.

They also got to learn about the many routes and opportunities to get into the industry, and about some of the lesser known job roles available.

Thank you to Overbury for your support of our young people and your commitment to inspiring the next generation.

Earlier this week, lucky year 12 students had the chance to visit Data Centre World at the Excel Centre. Part of the Tech Show, this event gives our students the chance to explore careers in the digital infrastructure industry.

Supported by mentors from the industry, they spent the day working on careers and curriculum tasks, getting 1:1 coaching and making connections in this fast growing industry. Some left with opportunities for work experience or ideas for apprenticeships, but all left with polished employability skills.

We're really proud of how they represented their school, and to see so many of them buzzing with excitement for their future careers.

Only a few days to go until one of our highlight trips of the year: a day of discovery, one to one coaching and a lot of fun at the biggest event in the digital infrastructure industry calendar, hosted at the Excel Centre in London.

Students have applied to attend, completed a tricky training course and will spend the day exploring career opportunities, finding real-world applications of their academic learning and benefiting from coaching from industry experts.

We can't wait!

📱📱📱Mobile phone reminder: new arrangements from Monday 23rd February

We are operating a 'see it, hear it, take it' approach for phones and headphones at all times on the school site for all students unless educationally essential.

The only exceptions to this are Sixth Form students in their common room and study room at certain times of the day, and SEND students with special arrangements to use ear plugs or defenders (headphones are not permitted).

Thank you to all our parents and students for your support for these new arrangements.

**Dates just launched**

Come and discover our STEM-focused secondary school and Sixth Form, and secure one of our few remaining places for September 2026.

Specialise in engineering, digital and cyber in an environment more like work than school, working with employers regularly.

Book your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983065301700?aff=oddtdtcreator

Students from Y11 had an incredible chance to visit Diamond Light Source this week. This is the home of the UK's national synchrotron (a large, circular particle accelerator) based at Harwell Campus near Didcot, Oxfordshire.

A synchrotron works like a giant microscope, harnessing the power of electrons to produce a bright light that scientists can use for research in medicine, biology, materials science, and environmental studies, to name a few.

The sessions provided insights into different aspects of science and included workshops from local institutions and a tour of Diamond.

The students loved it and left feeling inspired. Thank you to all at Diamond Light Source for this opportunity.

Year 12 students had a great workshop with Science and Technology Facilities Council mentors today, working towards their exciting magnetic levitation projects.

We're really lucky to have visitors in school regularly from organisations and employers like this, adding real value to the students' learning and helping them learn employability skills like communication and team work.

Year 12 engineering students had an incredible visit to RAF Lyneham this week, visiting the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers - REME museum, meeting staff and exploring the Jackal Cupola. This incredible machine is the focus of this year's REME engineering cup, an annual challenge for students to take on a real life engineering problem and present workable solutions.

This year, the challenge is to work on the locking system for a mounted gun, which is failing and putting soldiers at risk of injury.

This is a great example of UTC education: hands-on, technical, and a lot of fun. Good luck to the teams!

Hugh's story is really resonating with local residents, and we're very proud of him. But will his apprenticeship applications be successful with Chandlers (Farm Equipment) Ltd or T H WHITE Agriculture?

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Local teenager celebrates gaining tractor licence with a vintage tractor drive through Swindon town centre.

🚜 Check out this fabulous and rather unusual vehicle in our car park: Hugh has driven his 1956 Fordson Major in to celebrate passing his tractor driving test!

His love of vintage agricultural machinery is being nurtured and encouraged by his engineering studies at UTC Swindon, and he hopes to secure an apprenticeship in agricultural engineering.

We're sure he'll make as much of a stir driving home on the Swindon streets as he did arriving at school!

It was all about 💷💷💷 today for our year 10, 11 and 12 students with an 'learn to earn' workshop.

They explored themes such as personal skills and talents, career choices, salaries, earnings, income tax, the cost of living, financial planning, and budgeting. The workshop provided students with a clearer understanding of routes to job sectors, jobs, and careers that they will find engaging and rewarding.

Our students have asked for more workshops on money and finances: can your business help us by running a session on stocks and investments, or mortgages? DM us, we'd be delighted to welcome you in.

💪🚴‍♂️🏋️‍♀️ One of the 18 different enrichment options students can choose from in their Friday afternoon session is gym and fitness; students have really enjoyed this opportunity to use our gym equipment and mix with peers from across the school this term, and we're proud of how some of the older students are using this chance to develop leadership skills.