Students at UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park are celebrating a strong set of academic and technical results.

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

The technical qualifications are equivalent to between one and three A Levels.

This year, the technical qualification pass rate is 100% with over 75% of students achieving a distinction* to distinction-merit grade (A* to B equivalent) across all three specialisms.

The A Level pass rate is 93%. At the UTC, 71% of students completed A Levels alongside their technical qualifications

Students are progressing to a range of top destinations including going onto study digital media at Westminster University and sport and exercise science at Nottingham Trent University.

Jess Stevenson, Principal of UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, said: “I am so proud of our students who have succeeded and shown great commitment and hard work during challenging times.

“Our students get ahead because they complete technical qualifications alongside academic ones and benefit from high tech facilities and working with industry experts. It is very rewarding to see them progress to exciting destinations.”

UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park student Grace Akers credits the technical school with inspiring her interest in a career in teaching.

Health sciences student Grace has completed two A Levels in psychology and English literature achieving grades A* and C.

Grace also achieved triple distinction stars (DDD*) in the Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Grace, 18, said: “I’m really pleased with myself and how I’ve done, and really proud of it too.”

Grace is looking forward to studying a Degree in Psychology at the University of Manchester.

Grace said: “My dream is to become a teacher and hopefully have the same impact that the UTC teachers have had on me. But I am also open to any opportunities that may come my way.”

Grace explained: “There have been so many parts of my time at the UTC that I have enjoyed. A lot include where we were able to work closely with employers such as the NHS.

“The passion and love that the teachers have for their subjects meant that I was able to immerse myself into my subjects – which is why I am following my love for psychology to university because of the influence the UTC has had on me.

“At times, it has been a rollercoaster due to Covid-19, but the school and the people in it created stability for me to be able to succeed and helped in any way I needed.

“The UTC offers students opportunities that other schools are not equipped for and, due to the tight knit community, no one goes unseen. Every person gets the support they need in whatever way they need it. For that, I am forever thankful.”

Meanwhile, UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park student Will Beverley has secured a place at a top Russell Group university to study robotics.

Will is progressing to the University of York to study a Degree in Robotics Engineering.

The 18-year-old has completed A Levels in computer science and maths at the UTC achieving two grade As. He also has a Cambridge Technical qualification in IT with double distinction stars (D* D*).

Will said: “I’m really happy with my results as they were more than enough to get into my first choice university.”

His career aim is to become a robotics engineer and he is interested in robotic prosthetics.

He added: “I decided to study at UTC because I already had some friends there and because the UTC offered the subjects, computer science and maths, which I needed to get into university.

“I have enjoyed my time at UTC. I liked the freedom that we had as sixth formers and especially enjoyed my IT lessons.”

Martyna Wisniewska is planning to go to the University of Sheffield to study for a Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Martyna achieved a grade B in English literature, and grade Bs in maths and psychology A Levels. She also achieved a distinction in an applied science technical qualification.

She said: “I’m extremely happy with my results. I went to the UTC for a fresh start and I’ve enjoyed every second. I want to end up working for a big car firm eventually.”

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

The UTC is backed by top employers who have shaped the curriculum and provide industry projects, work experience and work placements. It is one of two UTCs in the city.

Employers supporting the UTC include including the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Palo Alto Networks, Medilink UK, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield City Trust, Westfield Health, 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.