First cohort of T Level students impress with high grades

The first cohort of T Level students at Hartlepool Sixth Form celebrated after discovering that they gained the grades to achieve their future ambitions.

In September 2021, the sixth form launched the pioneering technical qualifications which bring classroom learning and an extended industry placement together on a course designed with businesses and employers.

The students collected their results back in August, with an impressive 100% pass rate and an equally outstanding 96% receiving high grades.

Many have accepted offers from some of the country’s leading universities, progressed to higher level apprenticeships, or are starting a new career.

Amy Hilder, who is going to study Mental Health Nursing at Sunderland University, gained an Overall Merit in a T Level in Health (Adult Nursing).

She said: “When I opened my results, all the nerves and anxiety went away after what has been a difficult two years in college. But knowing all the hard work has paid off has made me feel relieved and I’m excited to start university.”

“The support and understanding from staff have been better than I could’ve asked for – I don’t think I could’ve achieved the results I have without them.

“I’d recommend studying a T Level at Hartlepool Sixth form because they’re courses much different to others – getting to go out into the industry and get that experience that I wanted. It’s boosted my academic progress as well as my own skills that I can take with me.”

Fellow T Level Health student, Abbie-Jo Harman will be studying Paramedic Practice at Teesside University after achieving an overall Distinction.

Abbie-Jo said: “I was so surprised and happy when I opened my results. I only needed a Merit to get into university, but instead I achieved an Distinction, which was higher than I needed. I’m obviously very happy and will be starting at Teesside University.

“Studying at sixth form has been a blessing – the facilities are great and everything I could’ve needed for research or support from the teachers was widely available.

“I could not thank my teachers enough; they’ve supported us all the way through, and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”

T Levels are two-year vocational courses which bring together classroom learning and work placements to give students the skills and knowledge employers demand. Broadly equivalent to three A-Levels, they can help students into skilled employment, higher study, or apprenticeships.

Campus Principal, Jane Reed, said: “We have seen some excellent results with many individual exceptional achievements across a range of our A Levels, in particular our first group of T level students in Health who have made significant progress and have achieved outstanding results.”

Hartlepool Sixth Form has drop-in enrolment sessions for 2023 school leavers for its wide range of T Level qualifications and vocational courses including Health & Social Care, Business and Engineering.

Find out more information online at https://hartlepoolsixth.ac.uk/experience/enrolment-drop-in/.