Hull’s employer-led school, Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC), has retained its “Outstanding” status in a glowing inspection report from Ofsted.

Following an in-depth inspection carried out in May, inspectors praised the school for its ambitious curriculum, exemplary student behaviour and impressive learner destinations.

Inspectors described the school as having “a relaxed, friendly and industrious feel” and praised the staff’s effective support which leads pupils to “achieve very highly and feel successful”.

Year after year, Ron Dearing UTC supplies outstanding young talent for leading businesses in the region, including its founding partners KCOM, Reckitt, Siemens Gamesa, Smith+Nephew and Spencer Group.  Students have also gone on to work for the likes of Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and BAE Systems. 

Students opting for higher education have secured places at leading universities, including the UTC’s university partner, the University of Hull, and the elite Russell Group of universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said the Ofsted report was a tremendous achievement for everyone connected to the school.

She said: “We’re delighted to have retained our Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

“It’s fantastic to hear that parents, carers, staff and pupils feel privileged to be part of the school and we’re proud of the tight-knit community we have built over the past eight years.

“This outcome is a testament to the talent and commitment of our incredible team of teachers and support staff, who are experts in their subjects and meeting the needs of all our students.

“I’m also delighted that the proactive partnership between the school and our university and employer partners has been recognised. This approach helps our students develop into well-rounded young people, equipped with everything they need to achieve their full potential.” 

The Ofsted report heaped praise on the school across a broad range of areas including the curriculum, student behaviour, staff and leadership teams, and student outcomes.

Working with employer partners, the school has created a curriculum that is relevant to the future employment that pupils aspire to, equipping them with the knowledge, qualifications and skills to secure further education, employment and training, the report said. 

As a result of the high-quality teaching and the enriched curriculum, pupils consistently achieve highly in national assessments and secure next steps in education, employment or training, the report said.

The report noted that all students had progressed to further education, employment or training since the school opened and said many outcomes in the sixth form are some of the highest in the country.

Richard Martin, Chair of the Governing Board and Non-Executive Director of Ron Dearing UTC Major Partner, Arco, said: “Huge congratulations to our Principal, our Head of School, the entire Ron Dearing staff team, our students, their parents and carers, the University of Hull and all of our employer partners for their dedication to making Ron Dearing an Outstanding school.

“It is clear from the consistently impressive student outcomes and destinations that Ron Dearing has found the perfect recipe for developing well-rounded young people who have the skills and confidence to thrive in the world of work.”

Located in Kingston Square, Hull city centre, Ron Dearing UTC opened in 2017 offering a unique education model for students aged 14 to 19, with a specialist focus on engineering, digital and computing, art and design, maths, English and science and healthcare.

Since its last Ofsted inspection in 2020, the school has expanded and now has an additional facility adjacent to the main building.

Opened in 2023, STEAM Studios houses a cutting-edge creative hub including a gallery and exhibition space, digital and photography studios, and 2D and 3D art studios, to prepare students for careers in the creative sector.