Around 5000 students started a T level qualification in the UK in September 2021 and some of those learners picked up their results today at Suffolk New College.
T Level programmes were launched in September 2020. (Over 10,000 people started a T Level course in 2022).
The qualifications have been designed by employers and the government.
The overall aim is to give the work force of tomorrow the skills they need to work in a host of industries.
They are post GCSE qualifications equivalent to three A levels and incorporate 315 hours (or around 45 days) of work experience.
29 students chose to study on civil engineering, surveying and early years / childcare programmes at Suffolk New College and 100% of those who completed the early years / childcare course successfully passed this qualification.
Two of these learners – Abi Kemp and Aimee Stephenson – received the top grade possible by gaining a distinction.
Abi Kemp, 18, Leiston said: “I am very happy (with my results), it’s got me to where I wanted to get next, so I’m happy about. It’s been fun (at the college), we’ve had a really nice group of people – we’re all on like the same wavelength. Next up,
I’m going to study primary education in Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge.”
Aimee Stephenson, 18, from Ipswich said: “I am very happy with the results, I am overly pleased, I think I did way better than I ever thought I would. I got a distinction. In terms of my time at Suffolk New College it’s been really nice, everyone’s been so welcoming and supportive throughout the course – it makes it a lot easier to study. In terms of what’s next,I am hoping to eventually become a primary school teacher.”
Liam Earley also successfully passed his qualification and even got the chance to go to Westminster to share his experiences in front of MPs and ministers. Liam said: “Roughly around this time last year I went to a T Level student conference in Westminster – colleges from up and down the country came. I gave a speech to them and basically said what this college offers and much more. It was a great social opportunity to meet with people from other colleges.
“In September I’m off to University in Lincoln to do a primary education and then hopefully after three years I’m going to start working at a school.”
In terms of T Levels, Liam added: “Don’t think about doing it, just do it cause obviously you’ll get many experiences, many opportunities and T Levels are the way forward if you want more experience rather than classroom-based work.”
Marianne Flack is the deputy principal of Suffolk New College. Marianne said: “We were proud to be one of the first colleges in the country to offer T Levels back in 2020 and this provision is growing in stature and popularity. Last year, 100% of our learners gained positive outcomes and it’s great to see that we have achieved the same success again this year on our early years / childcare provision, including two distinction grades.”
“I’d like to congratulate all our learners for their hard work and dedication, the staff who supported them and the businesses who have given our students work experience opportunities to put them in the best place possible to positively progress.”
In terms of other vocational results taken by students at Suffolk New College, 65.8% of land-based level three learners gained the highest grade possible on their course. 17 out of 19 of the agricultural learners gained top marks.
The pass rate for BTEC qualifications was 94.3% and for those who took UAL affiliated qualifications, the pass rate was 91.0%.