Photo gallery: Ni hao! Pupils at first University Technical College get language lesson as launch draws near
The new UTC building open for taster lessons before the new term starts in September. One of the students writes Manderin in the language taster lesson. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: copyright: Archant 2014
Pupils at Norfolk's first university technical college got a first taste of their new school as they attended language taster sessions.
The new UTC building open for taster lessons before the new term starts in September. Students study Manderin, with teacher Christine Li, in one of the taster language classes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: copyright: Archant 2014
UTC Norfolk will specialise in engineering and science, but business-related language lessons will also be a part of the curriculum when it opens next month, including German and Mandarin, to help pupils thrive in a global environment.
Henry Calton, 14, attended a Mandarin taster session at the college, on Old Hall Road, Norwich, this afternoon.
He said: 'I am studying Mandarin because it is one of the fastest growing languages, especially in the engineering industry. Lotus told us the biggest business deals will soon be done in Mandarin.'
Companies such as Lotus and Gardline will also set pupils technical challenges, and it was this pupil-business interaction which attracted many of the pupils.
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Jade Osborne, 14, will soon begin her GCSEs at UTC Norfolk, which she chose because of its business connections and its choice of subjects.
She said: 'It's a great opportunity to take the options I want, which I couldn't do at another school.'
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She also praised the school's design. 'It looks modern and interesting because of all the engineering equipment,' she said.
Principal Alex Hayes said 223 pupils will begin their studies next month, split between years 10 and 12. Eventually, he hopes it will house 600 pupils across four school years.
A large Thomas Edison quote, that 'there is no substitute for hard work', is written the wall of the college's forum.
Do you have an education story? Email martin.george@archant.co.uk
