Throughout September and October, The Stephen Longfellow Academy arranged a series of Post 16 FE College assemblies and visits for its Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students. Students across both cohorts had encounters with Leeds City College (16 September), Leeds College of Building (23 September) and Elliott Hudson College (9 October), whose staff who came into the academy to talk about their post 16 offers and what the student experience was like.
Students were given a range of information about A Levels, T Levels, apprenticeships and vocational courses, as well as the entry requirements and how to apply.
Following on from the successful post 16 assemblies and workshops in school, students who were interested were given the opportunity to visit the college campuses.
Leeds City College Visits
Students visited 2 campuses at Leeds City College, the Printworks campus (23 September) and Quarry Hill ( 21 October). At each campus, students were given a short recap on the variety of programmes offered. This was followed by a tour of the college, which included the Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Electrical, Hair & Beauty, Travel & Tourism and Catering departments. At the Quarry Hill campus students were able to tour the Childcare, Health & Social Care, Art & Design, TV, music & Film and Public services departments. Students also had a chance to ask the Student Liaison Officer and current students questions about the college. Below are images from the visits to Leeds City College.
Students enjoyed the tour and were interested in many of the courses and apprenticeships offered by Leeds City College.
Student feedback showed:
90% agreed that the visit has increased awareness of the different types of courses offered at Leeds City College.
80% said they would recommend the tour to other students.
60% of year 11 students who attended the visit, said they would be making an application to Leeds City College.
“All students demonstrated positive behaviour and engaged well with the visit. Look forward to seeing students on the next one to the Quarry Hill Campus”.
Janet Fitzpatrick (School Liaison Officer- Leeds City College)
Leeds College of Building
Students at Stephen Longfellow Academy were also give the opportunity to visit the Southbank Campus at Leeds College of Building (7 October). Students were exposed to a short presentation and then a guided tour of the campus, meeting different tutors at different trades who explained what happens in the curriculum area. Students even spoke to an ex-student and were able ask questions about the college and the student experience.
Feedback from students
100% of the students said the visit made them aware of the different types of courses at the college.
100% said they would recommend the visit to other students
Student comments included:
“It’s more practical, I liked it.”
“I enjoyed the place and was a good experience,”
“It was all good, want to do the Bricklaying.”
“The tour was good.”
Feedback from the college
“The students engaged well in the process and hopefully we have shown the students where they can access a fantastic range of construction related careers. Students were well behaved on the day and listened well.”
Sarah Warburton (Schools Liaison Officer – Leeds College of Building)
Overall, the assemblies and college visits were a success and have inspired students to look positively at all of the post 16 options available to them.
Raj Gill (Director of Careers)