At South Essex Colleges Group, our T Levels give students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, practical skills and confidence while gaining valuable industry experience. With supportive tutors, hands-on learning and industry placements, students can build the foundations for a successful career. One Early Years student is already achieving outstanding results, gaining an A* in the first year of their T Level. Gracie spoke to us about her success.
One Early Years student is already achieving outstanding results, gaining an A* in the first year of their T Level.
Gracie spoke to us about her success.
Hello my name is Gracie Carter and I studied Education and Early years T Level at South Essex college’s Group.
Receiving my results was an amazing moment. I was more than happy and overjoyed to find out that I had achieved an A* in my first year of the T Level Early Years course.
I believe my hard work and dedication played a big part in achieving such an outstanding result. I always tried to contribute in lessons, work well as part of a team and keep up with revision both at home and in college. Being punctual and committed to attending my lessons and placement also made a difference.
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses we completed were also really helpful. They gave me an insight into topics and information that I would go on to explore in more depth throughout the year, helping me feel more prepared for my studies.
I have enjoyed every part of the course so far, but one of my favourite aspects has been the opportunity to complete an industry placement. Being able to gain practical experience and develop partnership and teamwork skills has been really valuable. I have also enjoyed the creative and fun activities we have taken part in during some of our lessons.
Overall, my T Level Early Years experience at South Essex Colleges Group has been fun, exciting, challenging and a great milestone.
Another thing that has made my experience so positive has been my tutors and the wider team. Lorraine and Dawn have always been welcoming, kind and supportive. They have answered my questions, supported my learning and given me the knowledge and confidence I needed to progress. They have also helped me overcome any worries I had about my work placement.
One of the main challenges I faced was managing the workload and making sure I fully understood everything I needed to know for my exams. I overcame this by revising more regularly at home, carrying out additional research and relating what I was learning to my placement. Seeing the topics in real-life situations helped me understand them more clearly and gave me useful visual references.
Throughout the T Level, I have developed a wide range of skills and knowledge that I know will support me in my future career. Through my placement and working with my peers, I have developed my teamwork, communication and partnership-working skills. I have also gained much greater knowledge of children's development and how children learn and grow.
These skills and knowledge will be particularly useful as I continue my education and work towards a career supporting children.
Looking ahead to my second year, I want to maintain the same level of hard work and dedication and complete all my placement hours. After college, I am considering studying Child Psychology or following a pathway into Speech and Language Therapy for children in Higher Education.
My advice to anyone considering a T Level in Early Years would be to be hardworking, dedicated and get involved in lessons. Getting to know the people in your class can also make the experience more fun, light-hearted and exciting. When it comes to placement, I would recommend building a good relationship with the staff and children, as this can make the experience less stressful and much more enjoyable.
Overall, my T Level Early Years experience at South Essex Colleges Group has been fun, exciting, challenging and a great milestone.
Gracie’s story demonstrates how hard work, dedication and the right support can lead to outstanding achievements. Achieving an A* in her first year of the Education and Early Years T Level, she has developed valuable skills and confidence through her studies and industry placement. With ambitions to become a Speech and Language Therapist, Gracie is an inspiration to other students, and we look forward to seeing her continue to grow and make a positive difference to children’s lives.