UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Principal praises students for dignity and resilience

21st August 2020

UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park students have shown incredible dignity and resilience as they reach the end of a challenging academic year.

That’s the message from Principal Jess Stevenson to her students who have received their GCSE results today, August 20th 2020.

At the technical school for 13 to 19-year-olds – which is Ofsted graded ‘good’ - students complete GCSEs and technical qualifications in computing, health sciences or sport science.

This week, the exam and qualifications regulator Ofqual confirmed that GCSE results for pupils in England would be awarded on the basis of teachers’ recommended grades or those calculated by Ofqual, whichever is higher.

Many students are staying on at the UTC to complete Post 16 studies including A Levels and technical qualifications.

Jess Stevenson, Principal of UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, said:

“I am extremely proud of our students who have shown incredible dignity and resilience during what has been a difficult and worrying time. It’s been a privilege to teach them and I’d like to congratulate them on their hard work during their time with us, and wish them well for their next steps.”

Grace Akers, aged 16, said:

“I received a distinction in health sciences, a distinction* in sport science and grades between 7 to 9 in my other eight GCSE subjects, which I am extremely proud of! Considering it’s been quite a difficult year for most of us, I am so glad I studied hard in my mock exams and feel relieved with my results.”

Grace is staying on at the UTC to study health sciences and A Levels. She added:

“We’ve been able to do work experience and work alongside employers, which was amazing and develop important skills that I will use in the future. If I didn’t come to the UTC, I don’t think I would feel as well prepared for A Levels so I’m glad I chose to study here.”

Tianna Devey, aged 16, added:

“I felt stressed and anxious before receiving my results because I didn’t know what to expect. Although I had tried my hardest, it’s been quite a difficult year so everything felt uncertain. When I opened my results, I felt relieved. I received a distinction in health sciences, which I’m so happy about!”

She added:

“The UTC has made me more confident and willing to have a go at new things and take on challenges, which I wouldn’t have done previously. I really liked the people here, both staff and students, because they made me feel really comfortable and supported me throughout my time here. As the school was small, the teachers had more time to help and it was good to get one-on-one guidance and advice.”

At the UTC, on Old Hall Road, students work on employer-led projects, developing skills related to their subject specialism as well as team working and problem solving.

The UTC is equipped with cutting edge industry standard facilities. Organisations supporting the UTC include Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, employers on the Olympic Legacy Park, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.

UTCs are government funded technical schools that provide academic and technical qualifications to match the skills needs of regional employers, supporting economic growth and employment.

Young people can join the UTC in Year 9 at the age of 13 or in Year 12 at the age of 16. Some places are still available for this September. Apply now at www.utcsheffield.org.uk. Follow @UTCSheffield.