This summer Strode College is graduating its first cohort of T Level Education & Childcare, and Digital students.

The autumn of 2020 saw the first wave of T Levels kick off throughout the nation with colleges supporting different subjects. There were still many restrictions in place, one-way systems, mask wearing and a number of limitations to educational buildings. Despite all this, Education & Childcare students started the year and two months into it a second lockdown came into force in November and all classes went online.

In spite of the national turmoil Julia Dunwell, Education & Childcare T Level Course Manager encouraged students to find their own industry placements by writing letters to Primary Schools head teachers, and all had positive replies gaining interviews and signed placement contracts. Starting in the autumn term 2021 Julia sent all students to their industry placements with a portfolio filled with charts and paperwork which employers and students completed after all assignments. Their assignments not only included supporting the teacher in the classroom, but outside the classroom and delivering appropriate interventions.

Julia commented, "The T Level in Education & Childcare has been very rewarding. It has had its challenges at times - but that is an expectation of any new course. We have adapted our teaching and been flexible of the changes, which has helped the course to fully grow and develop over the past two years.

"The students have been amazing, and they have made the course what it is. They have been really engaged, motivated to learn and developed their curiosity in all aspects."

Dedicated Yeovil-based and former Westfield Academy student Lauren Gray had a fantastic experience as a T Level student and found her own placement at Huish Primary School in Langport. Despite having to do her studies a few weeks under the second 'lockdown', she said how supportive their teachers were digitally and there was a time that it crossed her mind that she might not have had the opportunity to complete the practical part of the course if restrictions were not lifted.

However, this was not the case; Lauren completed 750 hours in her industry placement after the third 'lockdown' in January 2021. She walked away with her portfolio all signed off and a beautiful card signed by all pupils saying how much they will miss 'Miss Gray'.

"I will definitely recommend the course to anyone wishing to be a Primary Teacher, I had a great experience and the best thing was going out to Huish Primary and actually experiencing what it's like in the workplace. When I left the children gave me flowers and chocolates, and I felt part of their lives." Lauren said.

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All T Level Education and Childcare students do 80% classroom work and 20% hands-on industry placement. While in the college classroom, they meet a number of guest speakers and go through rigorous training such as Paediatric First Aid.

This is the last requirement to graduate their two-year programme. Students practised first aid, in case they need to attend emergencies at their workplace for animal or human bites, treat wounds or embedded objects. They also covered choking, head injuries, seizures, burns, bleeds and unresponsive casualties who are not breathing.

The T Level Education & Childcare course finished this June at Strode College, part of the first cohort ever to graduate from T Levels nationally. All students have accumulated a minimum of 450 hours industry placement and have gained a wealth of hands-on practise and 'real' work experience in different schools. These new T Levels will help students to step straight into their chosen career, an apprenticeship or a degree. These technical qualification courses are two-year, Level three qualifications, equivalent to three A Levels, for 16 to 19-year-olds.