Children's Commissioner Visits John Leggott College Ahead of 2026 Big Future Survey

Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England, visited John Leggott College, Scunthorpe, this month alongside Nic Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe, to hear directly from students and staff ahead of The Big Future, the largest survey of children in England she has launched during her time in the role. The visit focused on attendance, career advice, and the balance between vocational and academic options for young people locally and nationally.

What is the Children's Commissioner's Big Future survey?

The Big Future is Dame Rachel de Souza's biggest survey yet, open to every child in England and live until 23 October 2026. It asks children about their local area, their school, online safety, and the changes they want to see for a better future.

It takes about five minutes to complete. Children aged 12 to 18 also answer two extra questions on voting and any worries about the future, reflecting the fact that many of them will be eligible to vote for the first time.

What did the Children's Commissioner see during her visit to John Leggott College?

Dame Rachel toured the John Leggott College campus, speaking with students and apprentices working at the college, and visited the college's EHE Hub. The Hub supports students who have been home educated and gives them a sense of belonging, somewhere to go, and relationships to rebuild around.

North Lincolnshire's post-16 landscape gives young people real breadth, from academic routes to hands-on apprenticeships with employers across sectors including energy, manufacturing and digital [Cite: Apprenticeships.gov.uk — https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/]. John Leggott College's role is to help students find their way through that breadth, matching subject choices to career and university goals from the outset.

What did students tell the commissioner about life after school?

Students at John Leggott College were clear that they want careers information while they are still in school, not after they leave. One student told the commissioner directly: "We want to know what we can do when we leave school - while we're in school."

Clear, early careers advice is also a national priority, with dedicated government guidance now helping students compare university, apprenticeship, and employment routes at 16 and 18 [Cite: National Careers Service Post-18 Options — nationalcareers.service.gov.uk].

Why did the visit focus on apprenticeships and vocational routes?

The visit focused on apprenticeships and vocational routes because government policy is actively reviewing how Level 3 qualifications sit alongside A-Levels and T-Levels post-16 [Cite: DfE Post-16 Pathways Consultation — consult.education.gov.uk]. 

Nic Dakin reflected this in his own remarks on the day.

"The students have great enthusiasm and passion about what they do, and we know they will do well. This is what it's all about, places like this, John Leggott College." 

Students can search live vacancies directly through the national apprenticeship service [Cite: Find an Apprenticeship — findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk].

What makes John Leggott College a specialist sixth form college?

John Leggott College is a dedicated sixth form college, meaning post-16 education in Scunthorpe is its only focus rather than one part of an all-through school. Students choose from a broad range of subjects across A-Levels, BTECs, V-Levels (from 2027) and vocational courses, taught by staff who work solely with the 16 to 19 age group.

That focus shapes the kind of pastoral support the commissioner heard students ask for on her visit. Every student has a personal tutor, and staff track attendance and settling-in concerns from the first week of term rather than waiting for problems to surface.

For prospective and current students wanting to explore subject options ahead of the next academic year, the college's course search is the first step.

FAQ Section

What is The Big Future survey?

The Big Future is the Children's Commissioner for England's largest survey of children, open until 23 October 2026 and covering school, local area, online safety, and views on the future. It takes about five minutes and includes two extra questions on voting and future worries for children aged 12 to 18.

Why did the Children's Commissioner visit John Leggott College?

Dame Rachel de Souza visited to hear directly from students and staff on attendance, career advice, and vocational versus academic options as part of her Big Future listening exercise. She toured the campus and the college's EHE Hub, which supports home-educated students returning to education.

How can students take part in The Big Future survey?

Students can complete the survey online in around five minutes before it closes on 23 October 2026, answering questions on their local area, school, and online safety [Cite: The Big Future — childrenscommissioner.gov.uk].