Curriculum Intent

Intent

The mission of The Leigh UTC is to develop curious, academically skilled young people who aspire to be principled, compassionate learners. The Leigh UTC has a clear vision to be a distinctive education provider for outstanding STEM learning. We offer our students the experiences, skills and values that will prepare them not only for their examinations, but also for career pathways and global competition in the 21st century.  We do things a little differently to normal schools or colleges because we believe the best and most effective way to educate our students is to always make our teaching more hands-on.  Our curriculum strives to create students who are self-motivated, competent, willing to take risks and become lifelong learners.

To realise our ambition, 8 key principles have been developed which provide the foundation for the distinctive approach to learning that the UTC will provide and develop.

  • An innovative employer / HE focussed curriculum that specifically reflects the diversity of engineering & computing skills required in the businesses of our partners, both locally and Internationally.
  • A local, national and International reputation for technical excellence in STEM education.
  • Provide an exciting and vibrant environment where students are enthused and motivated through the relevance of all of their learning in their future adult lives.
  • Develop a comprehensive approach to online learning to complement traditional methods so that no child is left behind utilising new technologies and ability to measure its impact.
  • Develop young STEM female and male pupils with the aspirations, passion and talent to be successful in their career choices through the provision of a high-quality technical education and careers guidance.
  • Ensure that the most able students can proceed to top universities to follow scientific and engineering courses.
  • Promote and develop community regeneration, including encouraging engineering and IT development companies to the area.
  • Secure high aspirations for young people through the provision of a comprehensive ‘world-class’ high-quality technical education.

Since opening in 2014 both staff and students have worked passionately to create a centre of excellence for technical qualifications.  Our STEM rich curriculum provides all students with the experience, skills and values needed to prepare them properly for success at each stage of their future lives.

Implementation

As an IB World School our philosophy is a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision. The Middle Years Programme is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. 

The MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathise with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.  The programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers. 

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is designed to deliver innovative learning and teaching that excites and stretches all of our students. Both the core and optional GCSE programmes offer opportunities across the ability range to make sure students benefit from the most appropriate teaching and support. Between the ages of 14 and 16 students will study for a Technical Award. This qualification is the initial step on the BTEC ladder of modular courses that focus on learning in a practical way and which lead on to employment, Apprenticeships, further education and university. 

All students in Post 16 study one of our three programme pathways with Engineering, Business Studies or Computer Science at Level 3 along with a range of other options; Technical, Academic or Professional.   Our ‘professional’ International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) pathway prepares students for the world of work as well as developing their individual personal qualities. The IBCP is an innovative education pathway that offers a flexible blend of academic and career-related studies. It is a coherent programme that allows schools to create their own distinct offering to reflect the needs, backgrounds, ambitions and learning contexts of their particular students. The programme is an option for students to undertake at Post 16, and aims to develop applicable, transferable lifelong skills that prepare them for higher education, higher level apprenticeships or employment.  Our Post 16 Academic route comprises ‘A’ levels across STEM subjects for those wishing to develop their skills specifically for higher education.  

The Technical Baccalaureate (Tech Bacc) programme, alongside the new T Level route, places a greater emphasis on technical skills, over academic skills. It also encourages greater employer responsibility to support students through contextualised projects and extended work placements, with an increased aim to develop employability skills.