Kennet School in Thatcham prepares to bid farewell to first cohort of T-Level students

A secondary school in Thatcham will soon wave goodbye to its first cohort of T-Level students.

Twenty-one Year 13 students are currently studying the post-GCSE two-year vocational qualification at Kennet School.

The school currently offers T-Level courses in business, health, media, and education and early years.

Pupils learn a mixture of theory and practical skills through 315 hours of staggered work placements at the end of Year 12.

Outgoing students will go on to study university degrees or higher education courses.

Some of them shared their experiences and future plans with newburytoday.

Year 13 student Alanna Smith spent two months on a work placement at Royal Berkshire Hospital on her health course.

She has since secured her top two choices to study adult nursing at the Universities of Surrey and Southampton.

Reflecting on her placement, she said: “On the first couple of days, we had our training covering infection control, manual handling and everything like that.

“The following week, I felt really comfortable going into my ward.

“I was in the acute medical unit. I was able to get a feel of different conditions and build up my skills learning about what different people do in the ward and how they work as a team.

“What this course has offered me is that practical element, which A-levels don’t have.”

Year 12 student Jessica Pearce was one of nine media students to visit Sky Studios last week and said she plans to study as a set designer based on contacts she has made at Pinewood Studios.

About the Sky visit, she said: “It was a really good experience.

“We got to use virtual production screens, which we haven’t had a chance to use before, and got to make our own short film.”

Year 12 student Lucy also reflected on her placement at a local care home on her education and early years course.

“I enjoyed it a lot,” she said. “We did some colouring in with them and it was quite cute to see them understand and connect with their younger selves.”

Year 13 students Bella Rogerson and Gabriella Currie both study business and have interned at Cornerstone Telecommunications, in Theale, and Xtrac, in Thatcham, respectively.

Bella helped design a sponsorship banner for Littlehampton Town Football Club during her placement.

She said plans to study advanced diplomas in anatomy and physiology to specialise in botox therapy.

She said: “At first, I was a bit hesitant because I’ve always like the idea of working for myself in the future.

“But it was completely different from what I expected. Everyone there was so nice. It was a really workspace.”

Gabriella also returned to complete paid work at Xtrac over Christmas and will be starting a higher apprenticeship with the company in July.

She said: “I found doing the social media posts and organising events really interesting.”

The current cohort will graduate in May.