The former Secretary of State for Education, Lord Baker, crossbench
peer Lord Dearing and industrialist Sir Anthony Bamford shared a vision.
They imagined a new type of secondary school that would prepare young
people for careers in science, technology and engineering.
University Technical Colleges (UTCs) offer a curriculum linked to key
sectors of the economy and deliver it in partnership with employers,
using real-world projects and industry-standard equipment. UTC students
go on to fast-track apprenticeships, higher education and rewarding
careers.
Conceived under a Labour government, UTCs were expected to offer
qualifications called Diplomas as part of a new 14-19 phase of
education. After the 2010 general election, Conservative ministers had
other priorities. UTCs opened just as policy shifted in favour of
traditional academic subjects, strict accountability measures,
multi-academy trusts and competition - not collaboration - at the local
level.
This account of the first ten, turbulent years of UTCs is based on
contemporary records, meetings with people who run them and interviews
with some of the young people they were set up to serve.
'This book is a must read for anyone interested in high quality
technical education.' Sir Mike Tomlinson, former Chief Inspector of
Schools
'This book provides an excellent insight into the UTC curriculum, and
the opportunity they provide for young people to develop academic and
technical abilities alongside personal and collaborative skills.' Sir
Anthony Seldon, former Master of Wellington College; former
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham
'If you need convincing, read Jodie's story with which David Harbourne
ends this powerful new book.' Professor Bill Lucas, Director of the
Centre for Real-World Learning at the University of Winchester
