First T-Level students at Bishop Burton College achieve 100 per cent pass rate

SUCCESS: T-Level Education and Childcare students at Bishop Burton College

By Rick Lyon

T-Level Education and Childcare students at Bishop Burton College are celebrating after achieving a 100 per cent pass rate.

The students are part of the first cohort across the country to have completed one of the new T-Level qualifications, which are the technical equivalent to three A-Levels.

The Bishop Burton students had to complete 750 hours in an industry placement, in addition to time spent in academic study.

Despite the issues presented by the pandemic, the 11-strong second year group all passed the course.

T-Level Second Year Course Manager Helen Stanway said: “This is an absolutely outstanding achievement in the face of significant adversity.

“We’re incredibly proud of the commitment and tenacity the students have exhibited. We’ve received nothing but positive feedback from our employer partners and their success is very well deserved.”

The students are moving onto a wide range of destinations, with some going straight into industry as early years and childcare professionals and others continuing their studies at university.

Kira Denman, who is going to university, achieved a Distinction and said: “I’m very happy with my result and this achievement is largely due to the support from my Course Manager, Rachael Chapman.” 

The first year group of 24 students at the college have also passed their initial 12 months of the course.

EXPERIENCE: The Centre of Excellence for Childcare at Bishop Burton College is designed to replicate an early years learning environment

First Year Course Manager Laura Try said: “We’re seeing students’ confidence growing immeasurably throughout the course.

“Despite the academic nature of T-Levels, which is intensive, the employer placements foster and nurture students’ enthusiasm and passion to work within the sector.

“A great example of this are students who have specific learning difficulties. Whilst the college-based learning could prove more challenging for them, the process of translating all they have learned in practice resonates and embeds that theoretical knowledge.”

Busy Bees Nursery, in Beverley, has had placement students from Bishop Burton College over the last academic year.

Beth Skinner, Nursery Director, said: “The T-Level placement students we have been fortunate to have working with us have demonstrated to us first-hand just how amazing this approach is.

“We’re able to work alongside these young people to help them develop and grow their skills to become confident and highly capable early years practitioners.

“The benefits derived from this are evident in the value and contributions they make during their time with us and longer-term, to the industry as a whole.

“The hands-on experience of the T-Level placements is helping to prepare the next generation of well-trained employees for the sector.”

With over 20 T-Level options available for students nationwide, Bishop Burton launched the Education and Childcare qualification in 2020, added Health in 2021 and is introducing further T-Levels in Agriculture, Construction and Management and Administration in 2023.

• Bishop Burton is still accepting admissions for courses this September. To find out more about the courses available visit www.bishopburton.ac.uk