Year 10 and 11 learners at R.E.A.L’s Ilkeston site, were very lucky to receive a visit from a School Liaison Officer from Derby College.

On 1 and 2 October, Taylor Marcer-Mccann ran two sessions with the learners to introduce them to Derby College and what they can offer after school. Taylor explained in great detail the three main educational pathways the learners can choose from when they leave school – this includes full time academic programmes, full time vocational programmes and apprenticeships.

Taylor talked through the entry requirements needed for each of the pathways but also explained that there are other routes that they may take to get into college.

Beth Linney, Specialist Teaching Assistant at R.E.A.L. who organised the event said: “The learners engaged well with Taylor and were able to come up with some fabulous questions to ask her to expand their knowledge.”

After Taylor told the learners about the different courses they could enrol on, they took part in an ‘Emoji Quiz’.

Beth said: “Each of the courses Taylor mentioned had been transformed using emojis and they had to identify each one. The learners appeared to enjoy the sessions and have begun to think more about the future and what they may want to do when they eventually move on from us here at R.E.A.L.

“Taylor very kindly also invited some of our learners to visit some of their sites, depending on which courses they were interested in, so they could get a feel for what college is like. We look forward to booking these visits.”

Each learner also received a prospectus to take away, and more information on what Derby College has to offer.