Energy Coast UTC
Energy Coast UTC is a University Technical College (UTC) on the outskirts of Workington, Cumbria that opened in September 2014[1] for students of ages 14–19.
| Energy Coast UTC | |
|---|---|
 The Energy Coast UTC building in Lillyhall, Workington | |
| Address | |
| |
Blackwood Road Workington , Cumbria , CA14 4JW | |
| Coordinates | 54.615075°N 3.521192°W |
| Information | |
| Type | University Technical College |
| Established | 3 September 2014 |
| Department for Education URN | 140600 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Principal | Cherry Tingle |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 14 to 19 |
| Enrolment | 267 (as of February 2017) |
| Website | http://www.energycoastutc.co.uk/ |
In June 2019 it was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
The "Energy Coast" is the coastal region between Silloth and Barrow-in-Furness, it includes the Sellafield nuclear power site and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority[2] as well as wind farms at Walney Island and Robin Rigg.
History
The UTC's first Principal, Gary Jones, resigned from his post in November 2015 citing personal reasons. The current Principle, Miss Cherry Tingle,[3] started in September 2016, after a series of Interim Heads.
September 2015 Closure
On 25 September 2015, Energy Coast UTC was temporarily closed following a suspected viral outbreak on its campus, however it was later discovered that there was no virus.[4] Any symptoms displayed by were found to be unrelated or psychosomatic and there were no lasting effects. As a precaution when the cause was still unknown, the school was closed for two days for a deep clean.[5]
June 2019 Ofsted
Energy Coast UTC had received a 'requires improvement' rating in a 2016 judgement that prompted significant structural changes. In June 2019 it was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted. Energy Coast is only one of two UTCs to be rated 'outstanding'. The top grade comes despite it running at 54 per cent capacity, with only 300 on roll out of a possible 560. It remains under a 'financial notice to improve' from the Department for Education. [6] It was unusual that it 'outsourced' some its teaching to its sponsors without applying Compulsory competitive tendering [7]
Sponsors
The UTC is sponsored and partnered with several educational facilities as well as both local and national companies.[8] The Energy Coast UTC also regularly works with the armed forces, especially the Royal Navy as part of the Combined Cadet Force.
Curriculum
The UTC specialises in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), with an emphasis on Engineering.[9] Secondary Level Education includes several engineering qualifications, including the new, industry approved, "Design Engineer Construct!" course.[10]
References
- Times & Star, http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/learning/first-day-for-west-cumbria-s-university-technical-college-1.1160292#
- Financial Times, http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/839e9f9e-6860-11df-a52f-00144feab49a.html
- User, Super. "UTC Staff | Energy Coast UTC". www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- "UTC Closure Update". www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- "BBC News - Workington College shut after suspected virus outbreak". www.bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- Camden, Billy (4 July 2019). "Energy Coast becomes only second ever 'outstanding' UTC". Schools Week. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- Camden, Billy (7 April 2017). "UTC faces funding termination for outsourcing teaching". Schools Week.
- User, Super. "Our Sponsors | GEN II Training | Lakes College | University Of Cumbria". www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- "UTC Prospectus | Energy Coast UTC". www.energycoastutc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- "Design Engineer Construct!". Design Engineer Construct!. Retrieved 25 February 2019.