Curriculum
Wigan UTC provides students with a unique educational experience. Students are encouraged to take a core curriculum of GCSEs and/or A Levels, plus a range of vocational qualifications. Business partners help to shape the curriculum by defining their skills requirements and providing projects, masterclasses and training that meets these needs.
All learners will:
- Receive a full induction programme
- Have a personalised curriculum, individual tutor and individual mentor
- Have access to new multi-million pound facilities
- Complete ‘real’ work experience
- Receive a state of the art, cloud based learner device for anytime anywhere learning
- Become digitally responsible citizens
- Understand entrepreneurial activity
Years 10 & 11, Key stage 4 Curriculum
When students move into year 10, they are able to make individual choices about what subjects they would like to study. The role of Wigan UTC is to offer information and guidance on the different options available and help you to make decisions that will support you in the future.
We work closely with students and parents to ensure you understand the wide range of subject options available, and to help you understand the opportunities and challenges that each subject brings.
We are then able to create a personalised programme for each Key Stage 4 student that offers a broad, balanced curriculum that suits each student’s individual talents, needs and aspirations.
Wigan UTC offers a range of exceptional specialisms, Engineering, Business, Science and Health. Each student will have the opportunity to learn more about our specialisms, experiencing projects that help them identify their talents.
It is important to remember that all students have access to a full range of GCSE subjects. Choosing a specialist school, like the UTC, will not limit their options for post-16 education.
Core Subjects
Core subjects are compulsory for all students. Some core subjects are examined, some are not.
The core examination subjects are:
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Science (The majority of students will work towards GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but we also offer Double Award and BTEC Level 2 Applied Science)
The core curriculum also includes some none-examination subjects:
Physical Education
Personal, Social Health, Citizenship Education
Religious Education
Optional Subjects
Students can select from the range of optional subjects below:
Business Studies
Engineering
Geography
Health and Social Care
History
German
Sport Science
PSHE Curriculum
Students in Year 10 study a variety of topics including History of Wigan, Square Mile Project, Finance IFS Qualification, Citizenship, Latin.
Students in Year 11 study Exploring careers/Job Prospects/6thform, Exploring stress management techniques – a focus on mental health, Exploring gang culture/sex education guest speaker, Exploring gang culture, Exploring sex education, Exploring revision techniques and strategies for success, Exploring the city we live in – the history/current opportunities, Exploring faith: Diversity/respect for all/ British Values, Preparing applications/exploring interview techniques, Managing your money/finance, Exploring citizenship: democracy and justice.
Physical Education and Sport Provision
At Wigan UTC we seek to provide a full, varied and interesting Physical Education KS4 curriculum which challenges, engages and excites staff and children alike. We see Physical Education as a vital part of the education experience as a whole.
Within the UTC we provide experiences and activities during our P.E sessions such as:
Dance and Movement
Invasion Games
Striking and Field Games
Gymnastics
We work collaboratively with schools in our Multi Academy Trust and the Wigan Youth Zone to ensure students can experience a wide range of activities and utilise a variety of sporting environments.
Years 12 & 13, Sixth Form Curriculum
Making the right study choices at Year 12 are vital for progressing along your chosen career pathway. At Wigan UTC, we work closely with you and your parents to ensure you opt for the best combination of subjects to help you achieve your dreams. And if you’re unsure about your future goals, we can advise you on how best to keep your options open.
We offer four different pathways in the Wigan UTC Sixth Form:
Today’s engineers work in an environment that encompasses cutting edge technologies and innovative solutions. For example, you could find yourself designing the next generation of smart phones, inventing manufacturing components for robots or fighter jets or developing sustainable energy solutions.
Study engineering at the Wigan UTC and you will be on the road to becoming a highly skilled professional, able to work within a variety of engineering disciplines such as product design, manufacturing, electrical & electronics, aerospace, communications, mechanical, nuclear & energy, environment or transport. Our partners Network Rail offer some great enrichment opportunities.
Entry Requirements
For A level routes, at least 5 Bs (5s) at GCSE, including Maths and Science
For BTEC routes, at least 3 Cs (4s) at GCSE, including Maths and Science
Suggested Subject Options
BTEC Engineering
A levels in Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Product Design
Possible Univesity Courses
Engineering, Physics, Earth and Marine Sciences, Mathematics
Possible Apprenticeshsips
Engineering, Process Manufacturing
Possible Future Careers
Aerospace, Biomedical, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Environmental Engineer
This pathway provides the perfect springboard to enter a caring, social work or community work- based profession. It’s a highly practical pathway which involves a range of work-related projects and placements that will ensure you are well prepared to either get a job immediately or access a higher education course such as nursing, care, social work and associated professions. This pathway enables you to explore the principles of the care sector from a scientific, sociological and psychological perspective.
Entry Requirements
For A level routes, at least 5 Bs (5s) at GCSE, including English, Maths and Science. For BTEC routes, at least 3 Cs (4s) at GCSE. GCSE English and Maths (These can be re-taken in Year 12)
Suggest Subject Options
BTEC Health & Social Care, BTEC Sport and Exercise Science
A levels in Biology, Chemistry
Possible University Courses
Nursing, Midwifery, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Early Years
Possible Apprenticeships
Healthcare Assistants, Early Years Assistants, Residential Care Assistants, Playwork Coordinators
Possible Future Careers
Nurse, Midwife, Physiotherapist, Paramedic, Healthcare Assistant, Social Care Assistant, Emergency Care Assistant, Nursery Nurse, Care Assistant – Elderly/Disabled Adults, Health Promotion Specialist
Specialising in areas such as business and logistics allows students to access professions like transport, distribution and supply chain management as well as law and accountancy. This pathway helps students to build skills valued by employers, particularly serving the growing needs of the local logistics sector through data analytics, warehousing and distribution. Through projects, masterclasses and placements, you will learn how to analyse and evaluate leadership behaviour and management decision-making in the workplace and hone your own management skills.
Entry Requirements
At least 5 GCSEs at C (4s), including English and Maths.
(These can be re-taken at Year 12)
Suggested Subject Options
BTEC Business, Engineering
A levels in Maths
Possible University Courses
Business, Logistics, Distribution, Marketing, Law, Finance
Possible Apprenticeships
Distribution, Transport, Accounting, Logistics, Advertising and Communications, Legal Administration
Possible Future Careers
Analyst, Agent, Import/ Export, Loss Prevention, Distribution, Sales, Transport Management, Warehousing, Production Planning, Ocean Freight Management
Innovation and creativity are key aspects of this pathway and crucial to your future career in food innovation, product design or technology. You will study the constantly evolving needs of nutrition, technology, design, and safe and sustainable production through a diverse range of specialisms. You will have the opportunity to work in our unique vertical farm and production areas to understand the environmental production and availability of food as a commodity. You will have the opportunity to work with university partners in our state-of-the-art development kitchen to understand food testing and diagnostics. You will also be involved in industry-led projects and assignments, and complete work placements.
Entry Requirements
For A level routes, at least 5 Bs at GCSE, including Maths and Science
For BTEC routes, at least 3 Cs at GCSE, including Maths and Science
(These can be re-taken at Year 12)
Suggested Subject Options
BTEC Business, Engineering, Food Science and Technology
A level Product Design, Biology, Maths
Possible University Course
Food Science and Technology, Bioprocessing, Food and Health, Product Design, Industrial Design
Possible Apprenticeships
Food Technology, Product Design, Packaging Design, Bakery Production
Possible Future Careers
Quality Checkers, Manufacturing, General Food Manager, Food Innovation Manager, Nutritionist
Technical Skills
Developing a range of technical, specialised skills is key to opening the doors to jobs with local employers. In conjunction with businesses like Network Rail, Siemens, Milliken and MurrElektronik, we have built a curriculum that not only provides students with their core academic qualifications, such as GCSEs and A Levels, but also develops the key technical skills associated with qualifications such as the Care Certificate, IFS Level 1 Award in Personal Finance (Institute of Financial Services) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice).
Each week, time is dedicated to Technical Projects. Students work in project teams on industry inspired projects that combine Science, Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Maths and English. Our students have access to industry standard laboratories and equipment, not even experienced at Undergraduate level so they have an advantage when entering the industry as an employee or our mock Hospital Ward environment where they work with clinical educators. Our partner businesses are involved in developing and delivering the themes of the projects which take place at the school and on-site at our partners’ locations.
Careers Education
Students’ academic and technical education is enhanced and supported by an award winning programme of careers education. Each year students participate in the Build my Future programme and festival. All students complete a programme of activities to help them make and implement decisions about their future careers alongside building key employability skills.
Gifted and Talented
Every student at the UTC is gifted and talented as a result of their enrolment within a UTC specialising in Sciences and Healthcare. The areas of expertise and the time taken for their gifts and talents to shine through will be very different. It is our mission at Wigan UTC to strive to challenge every one of our students and encourage our pupils to embrace their gift and make a difference in the world of engineering, healthcare and business.
Within our unique environment students are not only stretched academically in the classroom but also through the enormous variety of enrichment activities in our Vertical Farm, Labs, Workshops, Health Care Suite and unrivalled placement opportunities.
Within the classroom:
The UTC curriculum takes into account the needs of high achieving students through differentiation, extension and acceleration and makes use of all available expertise.
A combination of principles is incorporated into curriculum planning and Quality Teaching First to allow all our pupils to succeed:
Differentiation by outcome. This allows responses at very different levels to the same initial stimulus
Differentiation by task may be varied both in terms of style and content
Differentiation by pace. Able students need the facility to proceed at a greater speed
Enrichment
Some of the sessions include the following opportunities, determined by our business partners and sponsors to give you a head-start in your future careers.
Sign Language – This session will be run by an external provider. Students will complete a 12 week sign language course.
First Aid -This session will be run by an external provider. Students will complete a 12 week first aid course and gain a first aid qualification at the end of the course.
Lab Projects -There will be a number of lab projects available for students to choose from.
Climbing -There are limited spaces so if you are interested sign up quick.
Aquaponics – This session will be run by an external provider.
Leadership Apprentice Projects – Students will be given a different task each week to complete.
Sensor Project
Dementia Friends
Heart Start Training – This session will be run by an external provider. Students will complete a 12 week heart start training course and learn to become trainers themselves.