An initiative of and promoted by the Baker Dearing Educational Trust

The curriculum model
UTCs are evaluated by Ofsted using the framework common to all state schools. It is expected
that UTCs achieve at least a good grade especially in quality of teaching and learning and
achievement. The UTC curriculum is divided into two components: technical studies and general
education. Rather than being taught separately these are integrated with each other.
Curriculum: 14 to 16
• Students spend 40% of their time on technical
studies. Not all of this time is practical activity,
however, as technical education includes the
theoretical aspects of the specialism. At least 30%
of a student’s time will be engaged in practical
education.
60%
General
education &
bridging core
studies
40%
Technical
studies
• Academic subjects are taught in ways that relate to
and reinforce the technical specialism.
• In addition to mathematics and English GCSE all
students study at least two science GCSEs.
• UTCs give students the confidence to work in the
global economy by developing links with international
companies and other organisations. All UTCs offer
students the opportunity to study a foreign language
either to GCSE or another appropriate qualification.
• Students at UTCs learn about the historical and
geographical aspects of their specialism. This is
achieved either through the employer projects or by
offering one or both of these subjects at GCSE.
• All students learn about and use IT. The UTC
movement has a clear strategy for teaching IT
which is strongly influenced by employers and the
university.
• All students learn about business and enterprise
through engagement with employers, and
entrepreneurs but there is no requirement for
students to gain a qualification.
• All students take part in a variety of enrichment
activities which include activities not directly related
to the student’s specialism, such as further sport,
drama and art.
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