Craig Thorley
Since 2010, there has been a steady growth in the number of 14–19 education institutions in England – the two most common models of which are University Technical Colleges (UTCs) and studio schools. Their recruitment of pupils at age 14 sets them apart from the rest of the schools system, where 11 and 16 are the established transition ages.
This report examines evidence about why a significant number of UTCs are ‘following a trajectory towards closure’, and why their league table performance is significantly below average. It find that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that transition into a UTC benefits to pupils with an interest in pursuing qualifications in technical subjects, or that studio schools enhance the attainment and progress of pupils of different abilities by delivering high-quality vocational provision.
The author concludes that studio schools are, on the whole, failing to deliver a high-quality education to pupils, and are failing to improve progress and attainment. The reports recommends that UTCs should become high-quality providers of technical education for students aged 16–19, and that there should be a block on the creation of new studio schools after 2017/18.
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