SDUTC Students Reach for the Stars with Jupiter Moon Base Challenge Fifteen Year 10 engineering students from South Devon UTC recently took part in a nationwide Callisto Moon-Base Project, in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).  The project gave students the exciting opportunity to design a habitable moon base for humans on Callisto, Jupiter’s second-largest moon, using current and emerging technologies.  The challenge required students to work in teams, taking on different engineering roles to design the landing craft, plan food production, energy generation, water sourcing, and create a safe living environment for the crew. Students also considered healthcare, communication systems, and developed models of their moon-base using digital tools or hand drawings. Each team presented their project to the headteacher, head of engineering, and staff, who selected a winning group. The winning team then had the opportunity to present their project online to DSTL scientists and engineers, showcasing their innovative ideas and problem-solving skills. This project marked the first stage of the students’ participation in the Baker Award for Technical Education, a national award recognising excellence in employer led learning. The students will continue to progress through the stages of the award over the academic year, building on the skills and experiences gained during the Moon Base Challenge. The engineering pathway at SDUTC offers students the chance to specialise in one of the UK’s broadest and most in-demand sectors. With a nationwide skills shortage, employment prospects for engineering and manufacturing graduates are strong, 62% of engineering and technology graduates were in full-time employment six months after graduating, compared to 57% of all graduates.  The SDUTC currently has a range of open days and taster sessions planned and you can book on to these here.  Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC, said: “It was incredible to see our students immerse themselves in such a challenging and creative project. They demonstrated teamwork, innovation, and real world application of engineering principles, and we were proud to see them represent the UTC so well.” Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: “This Moon-Base Challenge perfectly exemplifies the innovative and hands-on learning opportunities they provide at South Devon UTC. It’s fantastic to see our students applying the engineering principles they are learning about and developing the teamwork, and problem-solving skills that will serve them well in their future careers.”  

Open Events and Tasters Sessions    Each term we offer a series of open events for prospective students and their families to come and look around the college. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet our students and staff and hear from our Headteacher what makes SDUTC such a great place to study.   To book your place please click on the link below: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/southdevonutc   Places available in Year 10 and Year 12 for September 2026

South Devon UTC Students Celebrate GCSE Success and Bright Futures There was celebration and pride this morning at South Devon UTC as students arrived to collect their GCSE results (Thursday 21 August). Following months of preparation, exams, and anticipation, learners were finally rewarded for their hard work, with many achieving results to be proud of. This year’s results mark another step forward in the UTC’s upward trajectory, building on the successes of previous years. The strong outcomes are a direct result of the college’s commitment to high standards, personalised support, and its unique approach to combining academic learning with industry-focused education. Some of the students celebrating their results today included: Ed Taplin: Level 2 Distinction Star in his Digital Media Vocational Pathway Will Beresford: Level 2 Distinction in Engineering Vocational Pathway Keira Harvey: Level 2 Distinction in her Engineering Vocational Pathway Chloe Mills: Level 2 Distinction in her Engineering Vocational Pathway Students at South Devon UTC benefit from a curriculum that balances core subjects with hands-on technical pathways in engineering, health sciences, and digital technologies. Alongside this, the college’s exceptional pastoral care ensures students not only gain academic qualifications but also the confidence, skills and values needed to thrive in the modern world. The students collecting their results today have followed a career-focused curriculum in an educational venue with facilities which are unmatched in Devon. Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC said: “We are absolutely delighted with this year’s results. Our students have worked incredibly hard, and their success is a reflection of that effort, as well as the commitment of our staff team. At South Devon UTC, we do things differently, combining a strong academic foundation with real-world technical learning, and it’s so rewarding to see our students benefiting from that unique offer. We’re proud of every one of them and can’t wait to see what they do next.” Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said: “Congratulations to all of our GCSE students at South Devon UTC today. These results represent the determination, resilience and ambition of our young people, and the dedication of the staff who support them. I am incredibly proud of everything South Devon UTC is achieving and wish every student the very best as they move forward.”

South Devon UTC Students Celebrate Career-Ready BTEC Success Students from South Devon UTC have been picking up their BTEC exam results this morning. BTECs are vocational qualifications that focus on practical learning and real-world skills. Unlike purely academic courses, BTECs give students hands-on experience in their chosen subject area, helping them apply what they’ve learned to real-life scenarios. They can be studied alongside GCSEs or A-levels, or taken as standalone qualifications at college or university. BTECs are designed with careers in mind, giving students the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in the workplace or progress to further study. Mason was delighted to collect his Engineering results. He achieved Distinction*, Distinction* and a Distinction across the three Engineering Qualifications in his Engineering Extended Diploma. Mason is now exploring higher level Apprenticeships and Engineering degrees.  Jayden Yapp was delighted to achieve a Merit, Pass, Pass in Level 3 Information Technology. Jayden has secured a place at University of Norwich studying Games Design. Lucy Bellamy achieved a strong pass in her T-Level Health exams.  She sat exams in Science in Healthcare, Working in Healthcare and completed an Employer Set Project.  Over the past year, South Devon UTC has been involved in several enriching activities and achieved notable successes. The college held a Health and Wellbeing Enrichment Week for Year 12 students, focusing on mental health, teamwork, and positive lifestyles, which included team-based competitions, community improvement projects like building planters, and personal wellbeing activities.  Year 10 students also participated in a Wellbeing Week that included a trip to Paignton Zoo to learn about conservation and biodiversity. Additionally, South Devon UTC student Joseph Sheehy was named a finalist in the BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards for his game concept, "Subject 19". The UTC also hosted a dynamic Careers Day, featuring mock interviews and presentations from professionals in various industries such as the Royal Navy and Kier Construction, to prepare students for their future pathways. Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC said: “We are incredibly proud of our students and all they’ve achieved through their BTEC courses. These qualifications equip young people with not only the knowledge, but the hands-on skills and confidence they need for the next steps in their education or career. This year’s results, alongside the many enrichment activities our students have taken part in, are a real testament to the well-rounded and ambitious learning community we’ve built here at South Devon UTC.” Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said: “Congratulations to all the South Devon UTC students receiving their BTEC results today. These qualifications are a fantastic foundation for future success, and it's clear that the experiences UTC students gain, from real-world projects to employer engagement, are helping to shape confident, capable young people who are ready for whatever comes next.”

South Devon UTC Students Dive into Healthcare Careers at MARJON Discovery Day T Level Health students from South Devon UTC  visited Plymouth Marjon University this term for a General Health Discovery Day, designed to immerse them in the world of healthcare and give them a clearer picture of their future career paths. The day included a series of dynamic workshops covering key areas such as adult and child nursing, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, psychotherapy, and counselling. In addition to practical sessions, students enjoyed a guided campus tour, apprenticeship talks, and valuable networking opportunities with potential future employers. For these ambitious T Level students, many of whom aspire to careers in nursing, paediatrics, counselling, occupational health, and speech and language therapy,  the visit was a chance to explore real-world pathways and university options up close. The students were particularly impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the university staff. Their passion for their fields and for supporting young people entering the healthcare profession left a lasting impression. This trip marks another successful partnership in South Devon UTC’s commitment to providing employer-led, future-focused education, preparing young people not just for exams, but for meaningful, impactful careers. Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC, said: "Opportunities like this are what make our T Level programmes so powerful. Our students don’t just learn in the classroom, they gain direct insight into the industries they’ll be part of. We’re incredibly proud of how engaged and ambitious they are about their futures in healthcare." Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: “It’s fantastic to see our students engaging so enthusiastically with the opportunities available to them beyond the classroom. This Discovery Day at MARJONs is a brilliant example of how partnerships between schools, universities, and employers can inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. We’re proud to support students as they take confident steps toward exciting and meaningful careers.”  

South Devon UTC Year 12 Enrolment Day, Friday 22nd August 10.30am - 12noon.

A South Devon UTC Post 16 Health and Well being Enrichment Week   As part of our Enrichment Program Post 16 Students at South Devon UTC had a week long Health and Wellbeing where students were off timetable and engaged in a variety of activities.   The start of the week was an introduction to what is meant by health and wellbeing and students were taking through a series of informative presentations, discussions and activities to help drive home the importance of looking after themselves and others mental health and wellbeing. The focus of the week was three-fold. For the first students were placed in Teams in which they participated in several activities across the 5 days against each other. The competition was based around activities that individuals may take part in to improve their mental health now or in their future lives. Therefore, they were involved in quizzes, sports activities such as dodgeball and pickleball, board/card game tournaments, a budgeting and cooking challenge and team challenges. There were some entertaining results – especially on the cooking challenge and everyone threw themselves into the events. The second focus was on school community-based projects and students had the opportunity to volunteer in several areas helping to demonstrate how working with others to improve working spaces for themselves and their peers can be very rewarding and provide a bigger sense of community and ownership. The projects ranged from building planters from recycled wood, rejuvenating the Post 16 balcony and Post 16 Hub seating and study area, building bird and bug habitats for around the whole school site and maintenance work on sports and activity equipment for the whole school break time activities. The final focus was on themselves each student was given the choice of Thursday or Friday to participate in an activity of their own choice either inside or outside of school. Students were asked to write a brief report of why they chose the activity and how it helped their individual mental health and wellbeing. Some of the activities ranged from organising a day out with their peers, to having use of the UTC’s state of the art gaming equipment for the day with several other positive activities in between. This was the first time the Sixth Form had run such a specific enrichment program for year 12’s and we are happy to say it was a resounding success. A big thank you to those people who kindly donated resources for the day and also to the students who were motivated and hardworking throughout.

South Devon UTC Student Named Finalist in Prestigious BAFTA Game Design Awards   South Devon UTC is thrilled to announce that Joseph Sheehy, a talented student and aspiring game designer, has been named a finalist in the prestigious BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards.  His game concept, Subject 19, was shortlisted in the 15–18 age category and Joseph, who lives in Exmouth, attended a special BAFTA event in London last month.  Joseph’s concep is a 2D survival horror game set in a 1960s government facility hidden beneath a hospital. The game focuses on exploration, psychological tension, and narrative discovery, featuring branching paths, immersive storytelling, and striking visual effects that reflect the protagonist’s unravelling reality. The Young Game Designers Awards celebrate the most promising young minds in game design across the UK. Joseph’s nomination places him among the top emerging talents in the field, an incredible honour and a testament to the strength of digital and creative education at South Devon UTC. To see the full list of finalists and learn more about Subject 19, visit: BAFTA YGD 2025 Finalists Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC, said: “Joseph’s creativity, storytelling and technical vision are truly exceptional. To be recognised by BAFTA at this level is an extraordinary achievement, and we are so proud of the hard work, imagination and dedication he has shown. His future in game design looks incredibly bright.” Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said:  “This nomination demonstrates the powerful role schools can play in nurturing creative talent. Joseph’s concept shows a remarkable level of maturity and originality, and we are delighted to see a student from our trust reach such inspiring heights.”          

SOUTH DEVON UTC HSC T LEVEL GENERAL HEALTH DISCOVERY DAY Our T Level students headed to Plymouth MARJONs University today to take part in the General Health Discovery Day for students interested in a potential career in the Health Industry. The day was made up of several short workshops in 6 specific areas but also included a campus tour, an apprenticeship talks and the chance to network with potential employers. The current T Level students have future career ambitions in the areas of adult nursing, paediatrics, counselling, occupational health and speech and language therapy and this was an ideal opportunity for them to see what MARJONs had to offer. The sessions included two Nursing sessions, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, psychotherapy, and counselling. The staff on the day were very engaging and passionate about their courses, area of health care and MARJONS as an education provider. The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and came away even more enthused for their next steps after South Devon UTC.

From Interviews to Industry Insights: Careers Day Inspires Future Pathways at South Devon UTC As part of their Wellbeing Week, students at South Devon UTC  have taken part in a dynamic Careers Day designed to prepare and inspire them for life after college The event featured a packed schedule of sessions delivered by professionals from a wide range of industries, including the Royal Navy, Kier Construction, and local entrepreneur Alan Wilson, famed for building  a number of high growth start-ups in e-commerce. One of the highlights was the opportunity for each student to take part in a mock interview, offering valuable practice and personalised feedback from a team of industry experts. The experience boosted confidence and gave students a clear idea of the expectations and opportunities within different career sectors. Kier Construction gave an engaging presentation on careers in civil engineering, showcasing the wide variety of roles and skills required in the sector. Meanwhile, entrepreneur Alan Wilson shared his journey and encouraged students to explore alternative career pathways, emphasising the importance of time, resilience, and self-belief when building a business. The college extends its thanks to all professionals who gave their time and expertise to make the day a success. Careers Day continues to be a key part of the college’s wider mission to develop confident, informed, and ambitious young people. Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC, said: “Careers Day is an essential part of preparing our students for the future. It helps them gain confidence, think practically about their aspirations, and understand the world of work. I’m incredibly proud of how engaged and curious our students were throughout the day.” Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: “We want all our students to leave school not only with strong qualifications, but also with a clear sense of purpose and possibility. Events like this bring real-world experiences into the classroom and show young people what’s possible when they aim high and stay open-minded.”