UTC Reading is celebrating a momentous milestone as it has been officially rated ‘Good’ in all categories by Ofsted following its latest inspection on 4 and 5 February 2025.
The Good rating is testament to the dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment of staff, students and the wider UTC Reading community. The school was previously rated ‘Inadequate’ two years ago, but at its latest visit Inspectors praised the school for providing students with a ‘fresh start’ and recognised the exceptional progress made in all key areas, from quality of education to student behaviour, personal development, careers guidance and leadership.
Some of the points the report pulls out include:
- Pupils enjoy the professional environment
- Pupils appreciate that their learning is closely linked to the wider world of work
- The school’s careers programme is a notable strength
- Pupils recognise that the school believes in them and has high expectations of what they can achieve. This motivates them to work hard and they go on to a range of impressive destinations.
- The school has a broad and ambitious curriculum that reflects its areas of specialism as a UTC
- Students achieve well in core subjects and outcomes in vocational qualifications are excellent
- Teachers are proud to work at the school
Clear, well-thought-out curriculum
UTC Reading has always taken pride in being a place where students can thrive, regardless of their background or previous experiences. Ofsted inspectors highlighted that students at UTC Reading achieve well, and move on to excellent destinations. The curriculum was commended for having a clear, well-thought-out rationale.
Positive, supportive culture
The report recognised the calm and orderly atmosphere at UTC Reading, where ‘students are well known as individuals and staff treat them kindly’. Inspectors highlighted how students spoke about the school as a place where they were given a second chance, and that they truly got it. Staff were also praised for maintaining professional boundaries while fostering a supportive and aspirational environment.
Leader in careers education
UTC Reading’s strong employer partnerships were once again acknowledged as a standout feature of the school. Inspectors praised the school’s ability to connect students with industry professionals, meeting all Gatsby benchmarks and ensuring that students leave well-prepared for their futures.
Ambitious leadership driving change
The inspection team recognised the school’s clear leadership vision, stating that leaders have taken full ownership of the school’s improvement journey and have set the right priorities. Governance was also praised, with inspectors noting that trustees and governors are ambitious for the school and invested in its long-term success. Crucially, safeguarding – one of the key areas of concern in the previous inspection – was deemed effective, demonstrating the school’s relentless focus on student welfare and safety.
A bright future
Speaking about the inspection outcome, Jennie Thomson, Headteacher of UTC Reading, said:
“This is a remarkable transformation for UTC Reading and I am immensely proud to see the report reflecting the positive culture, community and educational experience here. The commitment and determination from the staff, students and wider community over the last two years has been excellent and I am really pleased that this has been recognised by Ofsted. I continue to be proud of all members of our community and their achievements and this report confirms that UTC Reading is a place where students can thrive, achieve and prepare for successful futures. I am looking forward to the next steps on our journey to even further future success.”
Joanne Harper, CEO of Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET), said:
“This Ofsted result is a testament to the resilience, hard work and ambition of everyone at UTC Reading. This rating rightly reflects the high standards of education, student support and industry engagement that UTC Reading is known for. I am incredibly grateful to our staff, students, parents, and industry partners for their unwavering commitment to the school’s success. With this strong foundation in place, I have no doubt that UTC Reading will continue to go from strength to strength.”
We are now looking forward to welcoming new students who want to be part of this exciting journey.
The full Ofsted report can be accessed here: https://www.utcreading.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/10341735-UTC-Reading-139268-Final.pdf
