T Levels were launched across England in September 2020 as the new gold standard of technical education which offers a high-quality alternative to the “traditional” A Level route. These two-year, post-GCSE courses are practical and knowledge-based, with students spending 80% of their time in the classroom and 20% of their time gaining on-the-job experience with an employer, related to their T Level specialism. Their final qualification is equivalent to 3 A Levels and can hold up to 168 UCAS points, enabling students to go onto a huge range of impressive destinations, including higher education, apprenticeships, or straight into skilled employment. As a college with over forty years of experience in delivering technical training, it is no surprise that Warrington & Vale Royal College would quickly become one of the leading colleges in the region to support these industry-led qualifications.
Warrington & Vale Royal College currently offers T Levels in health, early years, and construction trades including brickwork, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry & joinery. This is set to expand for students enrolling in 2024 to include exciting new pathways in motor vehicle, engineering & manufacturing, surveying & planning, digital, science, healthcare science, accounting, and business. Students who wish to progress from GCSE onto one of these highly coveted courses should aim for a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, maths & science, although entry requirements can differ depending on which pathway they choose to pursue.
As part of the expansion of their T Level course offer, the college will also run six new T Level foundation years, which will bridge the gap between GCSEs and T Levels for those who do not quite achieve the minimum grades required to go straight onto a T Level after school. These engaging year-long courses provide the fundamental knowledge and practical skills to prepare students for success in both their future T Level and the workplace, while helping them to develop English, maths, and digital skills within an industry-relevant context. T Levels are becoming an ever-more sought-after qualification by students and employers alike, making the introduction of the foundation year programmes essential to make T Levels as widely accessible as possible, further demonstrating the college’s commitment to supporting all students to land their first-choice career.
