UTC Reading awarded Microsoft Global Showcase School Status for the second time
Microsoft has recognised UTC Reading as a Microsoft Showcase School once again, following previous recognition for this in 2015, becoming the country’s first UTC to be awarded this status.
Microsoft Showcase Schools are the change makers in education. You are part of an exclusive global community, recognised and celebrated for educational transformation that includes vision and innovation in teaching, learning and assessment, computational and critical thinking, creativity and collaboration, as well as a willingness to promote a growth mindset among educators and students.
UTC Reading’s Principal, Jonathan Nicholls, said: “This recognition from Microsoft further demonstrates our desire to ensure that both our students and staff make the very best use of technology in teaching and learning and are developing enviable digital skills as they develop. To receive this recognition for a second time since the UTC opened in 2013 is a great achievement, but I am also incredibly proud of the staff and students for continually pushing the boundaries with technology and having the desire to develop their skills to such a high level”.
Both students and teachers value the importance of being a Microsoft Global Showcase School. UTC Reading computing teacher, Robert Bradley, has said that this recognition “will allow us to continue to innovate in our own classrooms, but also to help us support other schools and colleges around the country, and the world, in developing their own teachers as classroom innovators.”
One student, Aiden Mallett, also commented: “”Since we started using Microsoft Teams in lessons, our learning has improved greatly. Whether it is receiving and submitting assignments, creating notes in class, or being able to work on documents online that our teacher may aid us when working in, Microsoft Teams is very useful as a teaching and learning tool.”
In 2015, UTC Reading were recognised for their innovative use of Microsoft products to personalise learning, aid collaboration in and out of lessons, and build 21st century learning skills. Students achieved around 250 Microsoft professional certifications that year. The aim now is to achieve over 750 Microsoft professional certifications this year.
Microsoft also recognised the UTCs use of real-life problems that students engage with during their study within different projects run by important companies. In fact, Microsoft also runs a world-first Sixth Form mentoring and experience programme, where UTC Reading’ students receive mentoring, support and work experience from Microsoft employees and partners throughout their Key Stage 5 journey – this is the called the Pipeline Programme and it launched in September 2018.
UTC Reading is a University Technical College based in Reading (Berkshire) which was rated Outstanding in all categories by Ofsted in 2015 and also achieved the World Class Schools Quality Mark in 2018. The school offers a broad spectrum of computer science and engineering disciplines and is a world-class centre of excellence in these subjects, alongside a broad and balanced curriculum, backed by leading companies in these industries.
About Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET): Activate Learning Education Trust is a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) established by Activate Learning. We deliver excellence in education and transform lives through learning by providing exciting and innovative education for young people. Activate Learning is the sponsor for Activate Learning Education Trust, which is run with the support of a number of industry and academic partners. ALET SCHOOLS: Bicester Technology Studio | Theale Green School | The Bicester School | | UTC Oxfordshire | UTC Reading | UTC Swindon
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