Academic Performance

At UTC Leeds, our students sit many of the same GCSE examinations as those in other schools, including English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and Combined or Triple Science. However, unlike mainstream schools, our students do not follow the full English Baccalaureate (EBacc) pathway, which includes subjects like Modern Foreign Languages.

Instead, this allows us to deliver a specialist curriculum focused on Engineering, Science, Digital Skills, and Mathematics—giving our students a strong foundation in high-demand STEM fields.

We are committed to delivering a high-quality, future-focused education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need for successful careers. While this approach delivers outstanding outcomes for our learners, it also means that traditional school performance measures, such as Progress 8, do not fully reflect the value or achievements of a UTC education.

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Why Progress 8 Doesn’t Fully Represent UTCs Like Ours

Progress 8 is a government measure that tracks student progress from the end of primary school (Key Stage 2) to the end of secondary school (Key Stage 4). While it can be a useful tool for comparing mainstream schools, it is less suitable for University Technical Colleges (UTCs) for several key reasons:

1. Specialist STEM Curriculum

UTCs focus heavily on STEM subjects, offering a different academic mix compared to mainstream schools. This emphasis is designed to prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and digital industries—areas that aren’t fully captured by Progress 8 metrics.

2. Strong Industry Partnerships

We work closely with leading employers to provide students with hands-on, practical learning and real-world experience. These industry collaborations are central to our curriculum and future pathways, yet they are not measured or reflected in Progress 8 scores.

3. Unique Student Intake

Unlike mainstream schools, UTCs typically begin admitting students at age 14 (Year 10). This means we do not have the same long-term Key Stage 2 data as schools that admit students from age 11, making Progress 8 comparisons inaccurate and potentially misleading.

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A Different Measure of Success

Our success is best measured by what our students go on to achieve: progression into high-quality apprenticeships, university places, or skilled employment in STEM-related fields. Our curriculum and approach are tailored to deliver exactly that—ensuring our students are not only well-educated, but also career-ready.

UTC Leeds - Compare school and college performance data in England - GOV.UK

Level 3 / ALevel / TLevel Results

Highlights from Summer 2026

• 100% Pass Rate across all A Level & Level 3 Vocational Subjects 
• 31% of A Level students ached A*-A, above the National Average
• 29% of T Level Engineering students achieved a Distinction, above the National Average
• 54% of our Double Engineering students achieved a Distinction*

The real success story is where our students are heading next.

We're delighted to celebrate the incredible destinations secured by the UTC Leeds Class of 2026, including:

• Degree Apprenticeships
• Higher Level Apprenticeships
• Employment and Training
• University

At UTC Leeds, we are always proud to see so many students progressing into high-quality STEM apprenticeship pathways, combining learning with real-world industry experience.

This year, students have secured fantastic opportunities with leading employers including Schneider Electric, Academy of Live Technology, ACS Steel and Mott MacDonald, taking the next step towards successful careers in engineering, construction, digital and technical industries.

Alongside these outstanding apprenticeship destinations, many students are also progressing to exciting university courses, including:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Medicine
• Physics
• Computer Science & AI
• Motorsport Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

A huge congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are incredibly proud of your hard work, resilience and ambition.

Your future starts now.

 

University Technical College Leeds - Compare school and college performance data in England - GOV.UK

Level 2 / GCSE / Vocational Results

Core Subject Highlights

English: 72% achieved grade 4+, 58% secured grade 5+

Maths: 79% achieved grade 4+, 56% secured grade 5+

Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSE 45% (compared to the national average of 45%)

AQA Combined Science: Achieving above national attainment in all areas, including double the national average for grade 9-9

AQA Separate Sciences: Chemistry: 75% achieved grades 9–7, Physics: 52% achieved grades 9–7

Engineering Excellence

UTC Leeds continues to lead in technical education, with students achieving strong results in Engineering Design and Manufacture. Many students secured Distinction and Merit grades, reflecting their practical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. 

Attainment 8: 46.1 (Local Average 45.4, National Average 45.9)

EBacc Measures:  (3.47) UTCs don’t report EBacc because their curriculum is technical, not EBacc-based. EBacc measures don’t reflect UTCs’ purpose—success is shown through technical qualifications, apprenticeships, and STEM progression.

Students staying in education, entering apprenticeships or employment (2023 Data): 91 % (Compared Local 89%, National 91%)

Level 3 / ALevel / TLevel Results

UTC Leeds is proud to celebrate the destinations achieved by our students this year, with students progressing to a range of universities, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.

Our A Level students have secured places on a range of degree programmes, including:

• Durham University – Physics and Astronomy
• University of Leeds – Chemistry
• University College London (UCL) – Chemistry
• University of Leeds – Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering with Industry Placement
• Keele University – Volcanology

Students have also progressed to competitive apprenticeships and employment opportunities, including:

• Royal Navy – Accelerated Submariner Apprenticeship
• Tetra Tech – Civil Design Engineer Degree Apprenticeship
• Academy of Live Technology – Live Events Production
• Amazon – Mechatronics Apprenticeship

Value added / progress scores

• Technical -0.03, average result Distinction
• A level -0.35, Average Result C-
• Academic -0.23
• Applied General -0.34
• Disadvantaged Students +0.75, average grade Distinction*
• Retention: 69% Academic, 100% Applied, 80% Tech level, 91% disadvantaged
• Destination measures

T Level Results

Our T Level students achieved a 100% pass rate across all T Level qualifications. 21% of students achieved a Distinction, while 71% achieved a Merit or higher.

These results and destinations demonstrate the range of opportunities available to UTC Leeds students and the value of the school's academic, technical and employer-led curriculum.

We would like to congratulate all students on their achievements and thank our staff and employer partners for their continued support.