Both students and staff at Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) were eager to get back to learning and start the new T Level qualification launched this September.
T Levels provide students with an alternative to A Levels and have been developed with the support of businesses and employers. During these two-year technical courses, students spend 80 per cent of their time in classroom learning and 20 per cent at an ‘on-the-job’ industry placement.
Principal & CEO Andy Berry reflected,
T Levels are pioneering a transformation to education in the UK and I’m very proud to be a part of it. I was delighted to welcome the new cohort, and feel confident they’ll enjoy the mix of academic and work placement which makes this qualification so special.
Based at the Taunton campus, the College is providing courses in three major sectors - Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction, Digital Production, Design & Development, and Education & Childcare. These courses are the first three Government approved courses, with Health & Science launching in 2021.
Education & Childcare T Level student Charlotte Heggadon, who joined BTC from Court Fields School commented,
I’m really enjoying the course and have already made some good friends. I’m looking forward to working with children and experimenting with new ways of learning.
Students started the term with an Induction Week which involved a range of activities designed to introduce them to the BTC community, meet their peers and tutors, familiarise them with their course, encourage them to sign up for activities and discover how to access College services such as counselling and learner support. Freshers’ Fair has gone online, so over the next month, students can not only access the usual offers, information and BTC Academies from sport to engineering and anything in between, but also browse a podcast and playlist designed by the Student Union.
Course Leader Kay Astle added,
The group have embraced their new learning; exploring the online teaching and learning options, getting stuck into lessons and their induction assignment. We’re looking forward to getting them all into their school placements soon to help them link their theory to practice.
If you would like more information about studying at Bridgwater & Taunton College, please visit www.btc.ac.uk, follow us on social media or email our Information, Advice & Guidance team at info@btc.ac.uk.
