Candidate information Pack
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for expressing an interest in Sir Charles Kao UTC. We are a vibrant, new University Technical College
specialising in Medical Technology and Smart Environments which and we opened in September 2014 in a
‘state-of-the-art’ building. The specialist curriculum will appeal to 14-19 year old students keen on developing
their talent in these areas. A UTC is different from the average school because it is designed with the backing
of the local business community and has industry partners involved. Sir Charles Kao UTC connects students
with industry partners Johnson Controls, GlaxoSmithkline, Raytheon, Princess Alexandra Hospital and
Advanced Scintillation Technologies; and our University and College Partners, Anglia Ruskin University and the
award winning Harlow College offering great access to employment and sponsorship opportunities.
Creating an inspirational learning environment where learning is central, Sir Charles Kao offers a unique
learning opportunity for young people interested in computing and engineering, by developing the technical,
personal and employability skills needed to progress to university and the world of work.
Our aspiration is for Sir Charles Kao UTC to become the leading UK Centre specialising in the broad spectrum of
computer science and engineering. It will lead the way in establishing computer science as a mainstream
school subject with a variety of progression routes into employment and higher level study.
We have high aspirations and want every student to leave us ready to take their place in the global IT and
engineering sectors. A relentless focus on excellence and a leading-edge approach will make that happen. You
will join an already committed executive leadership team to help drive forward this ambitious project.
We will recruit a balanced intake of students across the ability range in each year of entry. On opening, there
will be a staggered intake, with 250 students joining in the first year (125 in Year 10 and 125 in Year 12), rising
to a total of 500 students by 2017.
The information in this pack has been designed to give as much detail as possible to allow you to decide if Sir
Charles Kao UTC is the right career move for you. Please do feel free to contact us via email
enquiries@sircharleskaoutc.org.uk or via telephone 01279 444374 if you would like to make an appointment
with me to discuss the role in further detail.
Yours faithfully
Michael McKeaveney
Principal
Our vision
Through close collaboration with our academic and industry partners, leading organisations in the Medical, IT
and engineering sectors, the UTC offers a unique learning opportunity for young people with a strong interest
in Medical Technology and Smart Environments through the sciences, engineering and computer science. It
sets the standard for 14 to 16 technological education nationally, delivering an innovative curriculum which
promotes the computer science literacy that employers and universities seek in school leavers.
Having made a positive choice to join the UTC, students will be well motivated to work hard and benefit from
the UTC’s innovative and inspirational learning experience. Sir Charles Kao UTC ‘graduates’ will gain the
reputation for demonstrating the skills, attitudes, knowledge and experience sought by the world’s leading
employers. Through the ongoing links with industry partners, they will be personally known to local
organisations such as Johnson Controls, GlaxoSmithkline, Raytheon, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Advanced
Scintillation Technologies giving them access to employment and sponsorship opportunities.
Sponsors
Developing skills for employability and enterprise is at the heart of our mission.
Anglia Ruskin University offers access to a wide range of Higher Education courses from engineering to
architecture, forensic science and biomedical engineering which has had a significant influence on our
curriculum
Industry and academic partners
Our academic partners are:

Anglia Ruskin University
The key industry partners are:



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Johnson Controls
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Raytheon
Glaxosmithkline
Our partners are involved in a number of ways:
 consultancy, advice and guidance on curriculum
development
 product and services donations
 employer accreditations
 employer-led projects and challenges
 coaching and mentoring
 work experience and internships
 Participation in the governance of the UTC.
Industry partners enable students to study specialisms and gain globally accepted industry standard
accreditations.
Location and facilities
The UTC provides advanced, best of breed facilities for computer science and engineering, giving our students
an environment that will feel more like a global company than a school, further preparing them for
employment.
Over £8 million has been invested in developing this state-of-the-art learning centre for computer science
and engineering. The building includes areas dedicated to computer science using revolutionary testing
facilities which provide a base for engineering and related project work and brand new science facilities.
Our UTC is truly at the leading edge of technology in learning. Personal devices can be used anywhere to
access your work and study resources. Our Smart Environment and Medical Technology labs are hi tech
and have their own dedicated server and IT infrastructure that is used for learning.
Right at the heart of the UTC complex is the special place that makes us really different. Learning and
application blend seamlessly together through the inspired architectu re being realised by our building
company BAM.
Curriculum
The focused curriculum will prepare students for a career in Medical Technology and Smart Environment
sectors while keeping other career routes open. It develops well-rounded and well-educated leaders,
professionals and entrepreneurs for the future.
Students are encouraged to take GCSEs and A levels alongside technical qualifications and gain industry
standard employer certifications and professional society memberships. They will be able to make the
most of their talents and move on successfully to higher education, further education, apprenticeships
and employment.
Formal learning will be enhanced by a variety of enrichment activities:
 sports
 arts
 leadership, building activities, e.g. Young Enterprise, Duke of Edinburgh Award or the Youth and
Philanthropy Initiative
Environment
Students at the UTC learn in an environment more like a workplace than a traditional school. The working
day is longer than students usually experience, with on-site learning starting at 8.30am and ending at
5.00pm each day. All of the sundry meeting and training needs for staff will happen during that time too.
Equipment and facilities in the UTC will be industry standard as specified by our industry partners.
Learning experience
The learning experience blends different forms of learning. It develops a very broad reach of knowledge
and strong practical and social skills. Students are coached by tutors and mentored by industry and
academic partners. Instructor-led seminars provide students with a formal learning structure that are
extended through project based activities that will be designed by the industry partners to replicate the
issues faced in industry. Students are encouraged to develop effective personal learning techniques
during individual learning sessions.
The Key Stage 4 programme
All students follow both specialisms and the embedded learning and enrichment activities are designed to
create well-rounded and socially aware young people.
At Key Stage 4 students will:
• learn predominantly through instructor-led seminars
• develop effective individual learning techniques
• experience working life with our employer sponsors
• be encouraged to set ambitious career goals
The Key Stage 5 programme
Students are able to join the UTC at 16 or progress to this stage from Key Stage 4. Core subjects will
include A levels, in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics and computer science and BTEC
diplomas in computing and applied Science. There is also an opportunity to take globally recognised
employer accreditations.
Specialisms started at Key Stage 4 can be developed into employer accreditations and, when combined
with work experience and internships, enable students to apply for membership of professional
associations. The embedded learning and enrichment activities at this stage are specifically targeted
towards developing the skills and attitudes that make students employable and to ensure progress to
University is desirable.
At Key Stage 5 students will:
• increase project-based work and individual learning
• participate in highly relevant on-site work experience
• expand enrichment activities, including community work
• develop self-supervising skills.
Our students will benefit from an inspirational learning environment. The learning facilities are designed
specifically for engineering, science and computer science with workshops fully equipped for work on real life
technical projects, science laboratories and specialist ICT facilities throughout the building with areas for
relaxation and private study.
Our Culture
• Students at the heart
• Be the best
• Work hard and work together
Everyone will play their part in encouraging and enabling each student to reach their potential – in terms of
qualifications gained, grades achieved, and their progression to further study or employment.
About the role
You’ll need drive and passion in this new centre of excellence, collaborating with world-class and local
sponsors to deliver nothing but the best for our students. A demonstrable belief that every young person can
be successful will be crucial, as will a strong knowledge of the 14-19 education sector. Collaborative working
will be key, as you work with partners to deliver an education that is continuously evolving, relevant and
innovative for students.
Key priorities for the first 12-24 months in post with the Principal will be to:
• Drive and deliver a dynamic and highly-skilled focused curriculum that is driven by employer-led projects and
which motivates and inspire students
• Market the college and successfully recruit students
With your leadership, vision and determination, we will succeed in making a real difference to education in
Harlow.
Key Partners/Relationships
• Students
• Parents
• Staff
• All Sponsors & Partners
• Harlow College
• The Local Community
• The Department for Education
• UTC Board of Trustees