Our Year 1 Level 3 Sports Coaching & Physical Education students have kickstarted the New Year by coaching the future generation of local primary schools. They held fun and engaging activities to keep the young learners active, including games like Curling and Boccia. 

Our learners took control in planning the activities of the day, making sure they were executed flawlessly and explained clearly for younger children to understand. They began by giving the children a demonstration as to how the sports are played, how to gain points, and the best techniques to use. 

During the demonstrations, the students explained the points system and acted out what they should do, while also purposefully losing a turn to reinforce to the younger learners that winning isn't everything, but rather it is the taking part that counts. 

The students then split off into groups and coached individual schools, helping them with their techniques and keeping score to identify a winner out of the red and blue teams. The students had 30 minutes for each activity in order to give them plenty of time to get used to the game and give each young person a fair go. 

This exercise was an excellent way for our learners to improve their coaching skills and confidence as they had to explain in a clear and concise way that was easy to understand, but also gave them the chance to be both patient and encouraging as they worked with the children. 

Well done to our learners for coaching the primary school children with the professionalism and confidence required to succeed in their future careers. 

If you’re interested in applying to one of our Sport and Fitness courses, click here. 

T Levels offer a dynamic combination of practical work experience and classroom study, providing students with a well-rounded education that equips them for the workplace. These qualifications are designed to offer a holistic understanding of a subject while allowing students to develop real-world skills.  

To give prospective students a clearer picture of what to expect from a T Level, we spoke with Greta, a second-year student currently studying a Business, Management, and Leadership T Level. She outlined her views on T Levels, her industry placement, her favourite aspects of the course so far, the challenges she has faced, and a few words for students considering a T Level. 

Greta is completing her industry placement at Occuteach, an occupational training provider, where she has gained hands-on experience in marketing and social media, and has developed a deeper understanding of the company’s values and services. Greta’s role also involves fostering strong relationships with clients, and she recently took on administrative tasks such as managing emails and client communications. 

When asked how Greta found her T Level so far, she explained, “The course has been very informative and engaging, providing me with valuable insights into the business world.”  

Her favourite aspect of the program has been learning how to apply practical business strategies and theories to real-world situations and building networks and industry connections with employers. This practical exposure has improved her confidence and communication skills while giving her a better understanding of the available pathways. 

Greta chose the T Level because of its unique blend of academic learning and workplace experience, saying “I believe this is the best way to prepare for a successful career”. The T Level offers a direct pathway to both employment and further education which provides learners with alternative options for the future if they are unsure what they want to pursue after college. 

While Greta’s T Level experience has been very positive, she has faced some challenges, particularly in finding universities that accept T Levels because they are so newly established. However, she remains optimistic and proactive in overcoming these obstacles and has no doubts that T Levels will continue to grow in popularity. 

For students considering a T Level, Greta wholeheartedly recommends them, emphasising the valuable skills and experiences gained through the program. “It is the perfect mixture of classroom learning and workplace experience and is a fantastic way to gain skills that are directly applicable to the workplace while earning a qualification.” 

Looking back on her experience, Greta concluded, “Overall, my T Level experience has been very rewarding. It has prepared me well for the future.” Her story is a great reflection of the value of T Levels, providing students with the knowledge and skills required to excel in their chosen fields. 

Thank you to Greta for sharing her story, we wish you all the best with the remainder of your T Level. 

If you’re interested in applying to the Business, Management, and Leadership T Level, click here.

Recently, our UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design Pre-Degree students took a trip to London, immersing themselves in the city’s rich artistic history. The visit was designed to broaden their understanding of art and design, offering them a chance to experience first-hand the diversity and creativity displayed in some of London’s museums and galleries. 

The trip consisted of students from both the UAL Foundation Diploma and the Year 1 and Year 2 Extended Diploma programs. During their overnight stay, the learners explored museums and galleries such as the Design Museum, the Tate Modern, and the Tate Britain, which displayed a variety of art forms and mediums, allowing the students to appreciate the subjective nature of art and its many interpretations. 

The students also visited Southbank and Westminster to make the most out of their trip and experience the busy city atmosphere and unmissable sights and landmarks. This trip also gave our learners the chance to bond further outside the classroom and provided them with invaluable life skills like navigating through cities, both on foot and using public transport like the tube. 

Rachel Clayton, one of our Art, Graphics, and Fashion lecturers, highlighted the significance of the trip, saying “We run this trip to nourish the cultural elements of the course and to provide inspiration from artists and designers that will inform their creative output.” 

The trip was organised by tutors Rachel Clayton, Kelly Metcalfe, and Ronnie Houselander-Cook, who accompanied the students and ensured a memorable and enriching experience.  

By engaging with art in such a prestigious and dynamic environment, the learners deepened their artistic knowledge and built connections between their work and the art on display which will enhance their creativity and collaboration throughout their studies. 

If you’re interested in applying to one of our Arts, Design, Graphics and Fashion courses, click here.