University Technical Colleges (UTCs) teach 1419 year old students a range of scientific and technical subjects through a mix of vocational and academic training. Spearheading their growth has been Lord Baker, former secretary of state for education. At the Association for Science Education conference in January 2016, Education in Chemistry asked him about these innovative but controversial schools and their role in secondary education.
0:00 The purpose of UTCs
0:26 Creating a 1418 education stream
1:00 Is it wise to ask students to narrow their educational focus at 14?
1:39 UTCs are 'one of the few institutions in UK education that are actually producing skilled employees'
2:21 Who would benefit most from studying at a UTC?
2:55 Students do not receive a rounded education from Further Education (FE) colleges – FE doesn't really understand curriculum work
3:31 Local schools are hostile to UTCs as they take students away from them
4:17 Schools should give students greater information to 14yearold students about the educational pathways available to them
4:50 At age 16, students' maths and English skills are appalling – an indictment of the English education system
5:26 The real test of a school is the destinations of its leavers