KS4 Curriculum
Our curriculum intent is clear: we aim to inspire the next generation of leading engineers, scientists and innovators.
Our curriculum intent is clear: we aim to inspire the next generation of leading engineers, scientists and innovators.
All of our curriculum areas are broken down into ‘non-negotiables’ – the vital areas that a student needs to master in that subject. These non-negotiables underpin the learning throughout the duration of the study and our students understand that after developing competency in each strand, they will aim to develop mastery in each. The learning is coherently sequenced across the 4-year plan for each subject and mapped cross-curricular, and our sequence of learning plans specifies which non-negotiables are the learning foci and/or the knowledge that students will gain.
All of our teachers are subject experts and teachers work in partnership with students in a business-like workplace, with high expectations of all, and with employer partners. Our teachers are trained in ensuring that students know more and remember more of the curriculum to become experts themselves.
At UTC Leeds students study a broad and balanced curriculum, designed to enable them to study a range of subjects whilst also focusing on our specialist areas in engineering and advanced manufacturing technologies
It enables students to develop the following key employability skills that are highly sought after by today’s leading employers:
The seven employability skills are central to the curriculum and the driving force behind all aspects of UTC Leeds. They were devised in conjunction with our employer and university partners, to ensure that students leaving UTC Leeds are highly employable. Through the unique opportunities that studying at the college provides, students will demonstrate a high level of confidence and skill in these areas, setting them apart from other candidates.
As well as achieving a range of GCSE level qualifications, students are able to work with leading employers from the region to develop and nurture specialist engineering and creative thinking skills
Below are details of the current curriculum, (for the 2025/2026 curriculum please see the prospectus, which is available to download here)
Study a Core Curriculum of…
English Language and Literature
Trilogy (Double)/ Triple science
Study a Specialist Curriculum in…
OCR National Technical Awards in:
Personalise the Curriculum by Studying…
Build Knowledge and Understanding of Engineering Through…
Contributing to a series of industry-led ‘major projects’
Visiting partner organisations to gain first-hand experience of the engineering world
Partnering with the engineering faculty at the University of Leeds
Working with mentors from industry and education
Develop Life Skills, Independence and Knowledge Through…
Leading and taking part in enrichment activities
Taking part in Religious Education, PSHE and citizenship and activities
Receiving high-quality careers education
Every pupil in the UK has a legal entitlement to Religious Education and RE is a necessary part of a ‘broad and balanced curriculum.’ In the UK, parents still have the right to withdraw their children from RE on the grounds that they wish to provide their own RE. This provision will be the parents’ responsibility. Parents also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE, and can do so without giving any explanation. If you wish to withdraw your child from any aspect of RE, please contact us at [email protected].