Peter Symonds College is delighted to be one of the first providers to offer the new T level qualification in Education & Early Years. T Levels are new courses which commenced in September 2020, which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A Levels. T levels combine classroom theory, practical learning and an industry placement with an employer to ensure students have real experience of the workplace. These two year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content will meet the needs of the industry and prepare students for work.
The Education T level is for students wishing to work as a teaching assistant, with potential to become a primary school teacher, or an Early Years Practitioner.
You will complete core modules and take an occupational specialism in either:
Core modules include:
You will have taught sessions at College on our 6th form site for 3 days a week as well as spending 2 days a week in your industry placement. More specific timetabling information will be given closer to the start of the course. Taught sessions may include lectures, group work, research, guest speakers and practicals.
Students will have more than one placement during their course and placements will be tailored to your chosen pathway.
In the first year, there are two written examinations based on the Core Knowledge, and an Employer set project for which you will receive support from your college tutors to complete. In the second year, you will choose your occupational specialism. The assessments for occupational specialism are written exams and observations of your practice in your industry placement.
Throughout the duration of study, a college assessor will also visit you in the workplace to observe your practice and obtain feedback regarding your progress in placement.
On successful completion of this course, you could obtain employment as a Teaching Assistant or an Early Year’s Practitioner, depending on your chosen occupational specialism. The early years specialism provides ‘license to practice’ as an Early Years Practitioner, increasing your value to employers. UCAS points are allocated on completion of this course which could support you to progress onto various higher education courses in primary education, early years and supporting children with special education needs. Alongside your job, you could study one day a week at the Adult & Higher Education Division of Peter Symonds College for a degree in either Teaching & Learning Support or Early Years, gaining additional valuable experience and income whilst studying. Once you have completed your degree you could then complete a one year PGCE to obtain teacher status in Early Years or Primary Teaching.
Although we endeavour to place you in a setting close to your home, there may be additional travel costs to and from placement. You will need to purchase two polo shirts at around £18 each and there is an option of a fleece at around £23 each. The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who might have difficulty meeting these costs.
Two days each week in an industry placement.
Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including GCSE English and Mathematics.