London Design and Engineering UTC

Proud moment for London Design & Engineering UTC.

Our CEO and Principal, Geoffrey Fowler, has been shortlisted for National Headteacher of the Year State Sector at the Tes Schools Awards 2026.

This recognition reflects Geoffrey’s leadership in building LDE UTC into a nationally recognised centre of excellence for technical education, delivering exceptional outcomes for young people.

A huge congratulations to Geoffrey and the entire LDE UTC community. Winners will be announced on 19 June.

https://www.ldeutc.co.uk/latest/read/news/our-ceo-and-principal-geoffrey-fowler-shortlisted-for-national-headteacher-of-the-year-award.aspx

Hands-on learning in action today!

Today at London Design and Engineering UTC, we welcomed 12 Year 11 learners into a professional workshop environment to experience what creative, technical learning beyond GCSEs can really look like.

Working with our fantastic partners at East London Furniture Institute (ELFI), learners took part in a Craft & Design Upholstery taster session, designing and making their own leather phone holders from start to finish. From learning new tools and techniques to seeing their ideas come to life, every learner left with a finished product — and a real sense of achievement.

Experiences like this are so important in helping young people:
✔️ Explore specialist pathways
✔️ Build confidence through making
✔️ Understand what post‑16 learning could look like
✔️ Make informed choices about their next steps

A huge thank you to the ELFI team for creating such a welcoming, industry‑standard environment and for inspiring the next generation of makers.

Sharing a few highlights from today below — the focus, creativity and pride in their work says it all.

Episode 3 of Industry Ready is here.

Kenan’s message to students is simple: find your place, back yourself and don’t be afraid of challenge.

From biomedical engineering to leading Years 9, 10 and 11 at LDEUTC, his story shows that your path doesn’t have to be linear. What matters is resilience, support and believing in your future.

If you’re navigating your next step, this episode is for you.

Listen now and tell us what stood out >> https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/industry-ready/id1875933538

Episode two is out now!

Episode two of our college podcast, Industry Ready, has been released today.

In this episode, you'll meet Victoria, Head of School for the LDEUT6 Form. Victoria shares her role in supporting learners’ wellbeing, leading curriculum across the College, and maintaining high standards that help learners succeed.

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the podcast so far — it genuinely means a lot. If you’ve got a few minutes, I’d love for you to have a listen and continue supporting the journey.

🎧 Listen here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/02-meet-victoria-head-of-school-for-the-ldeutc/id1875933538?i=1000750579632
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Today we’re launching something new.

Industry Ready: the official podcast from Technical Education Skills Trust

You’ll hear about careers, wellbeing, creativity, employer partnerships and what it really means to prepare young people for the future.

Our first episode is now LIVE and introduces members of our Leadership Team and the vision behind our work.

If you’re a parent, learner, educator or employer, this podcast is for you.

Subscribe and help us share the story of how we prepare young people to become Industry Ready:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/industry-ready/id1875933538

What a creative Saturday!

Today, we welcomed a group of Year 11 learners to a free Craft & Design Upholstery taster session with our fantastic partners at the East London Furniture Institute.

Learners spent the day working in a professional workshop environment, learning hands-on upholstery skills with specialist tutors.

The highlight? Each learner designed and made their own fabric notice board — and took it home at the end of the session.

These taster sessions are designed to give learners real insight into post-GCSE creative pathways, helping them build confidence, explore new skills, and see what studying upholstery and furniture-making is really like before making their next steps.

We’re so proud of the focus, creativity, and effort shown today — and we love seeing families able to share in what learners have achieved. Take a look at what they made.

If you’re a Year 11 learner thinking about your options after GCSEs and enjoy practical, creative learning, opportunities like this are a brilliant way to explore what’s possible.

If you would like to learn more about the courses we offer, please visit www.ldeutc.co.uk

Well done to everyone who took part — amazing work!

The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP, has written to London Design & Engineering UTC recognising the exceptional outcomes achieved by disadvantaged learners and placing our work among the very best nationally.

This recognition reflects the ambition and commitment across our college community, and what can be achieved when expectations are high and support is consistent.

We are sharing the letter in full here. Progress like this is never accidental. It is built through collaboration, shared responsibility and a commitment to removing barriers for young people.

If you work in education, industry or policy and want to help build bridges, close gaps and expand opportunity for young people, we would welcome the conversation.

What does “work-ready” really mean?

According to Ofsted, it means learners who are described as “young professionals.”

In its latest inspection report, Ofsted highlights London Design & Engineering UTC’s employer-led curriculum, shaped in partnership with industry and designed to prepare young people not just for exams, but for work, further study and life in modern Britain.

Inspectors found that our learners:
• demonstrate confidence, resilience and professional behaviours
• benefit from employer opportunities that are embedded, not bolted on
• are more than ready for the workplace or further study

Under the revised inspection framework, LDE UTC was awarded five ‘Exceptional’ judgements.

When education is genuinely employer-led, young people don’t just leave school qualified — they leave work-ready.

🔗 Read CEO and Principal Geoffrey Fowler's reflection and the Ofsted report in full: https://www.ldeutc.co.uk/key-info/about-us/ofsted--inspections.aspx

Every movement in Japanese joinery carries centuries of tradition. A discipline where tools, hands and wood work in quiet harmony. It’s a craft that values intention over speed, restraint over excess, and beauty born from accuracy. ⁠
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Join for Introduction to Japanese Joinery, a three-day immersion in the principles and techniques that define one of the world’s most respected woodworking traditions. Guided by an internationally renowned craftsman, you’ll experience the rhythm, discipline and clarity that underpin this timeless practice. ⁠
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The intimate setting offers rare focus and the space to learn with intention. Places are first come, first served - and limited. ⁠
📅 Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 October ⁠
📍 London Design & Engineering UTC ⁠
🎟️ Tickets available → https://londoniwf.co.uk/tickets/
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