North East Futures UTC

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 May 2025

Pupils enjoy attending the university technical college (UTC). Pupils say they are 'seen' and valued. They can specialise in digital or health pathways. Pupils benefit from high- quality careers support. They have a range of aspirations for future careers. Students in the sixth form explore different pathways, such as apprenticeships and university. This helps them gain a wide understanding of opportunities beyond the UTC. Pupils enjoy a calm and purposeful learning environment. They rise to the high expectations that the school has for their behaviour. The behaviour system is based around professional behaviours. Pupils understand why they are important for the world of work. Pupils appreciate how quickly the school gets to know them. They understand the high expectations that the school has for their achievement. The outcomes that pupils achieve have improved over time. Pupils can progress on to their chosen destinations. Pupils benefit from links with employer partners. Students in the sixth form learn about budget savings. They do this through real-life scenarios. Pupils in key stage 4 enjoy connections with the NHS. They learn about a range of roles. These include those that are non-clinical. These rich experiences help pupils develop a deep understanding of the world of work.

What the school should improve

• In some lessons, pupils do not have sufficient opportunity to practise, embed and develop what they have learned before. As a result, some pupils do not develop the depth of subject expertise that they should. The school needs to support staff so that they provide more opportunities for pupils to consolidate and deepen their learning.
• In some subjects, the purpose of the tasks that pupils are set is not clear. This means that pupils do not develop knowledge over time as confidently and securely as they should. The UTC should ensure that the key knowledge and skills are identified in tasks and matched to the aims of the curriculum.
• The school's attendance strategies are not reaching some pupils as well as they could. The persistent absence of some pupils remains high, particularly disadvantaged pupils. This means that they do not achieve as well as those who attend more regularly. The UTC should strengthen and further intensify its work with pupils, parents and carers, and other agencies to reduce the persistent absence.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)