Inspiring Future Pathways: Kirton Academy Year 10 Experience Life at JLC

Today, the vibrant atmosphere at John Leggott College was elevated further as we opened our doors to a fantastic group of Year 10 students from Kirton Academy. 

Our dedicated school outreach taster days are designed to give secondary school pupils across North Lincolnshire a genuine, unfiltered experience of further education. By stepping out of their standard high school classrooms and onto college campus, these young people are given a vital head start in mapping out their future educational choices across A-Levels, vocational BTECs, and technical T-Level pathways.

From the very moment the travel coaches arrived at our West Common Lane campus in Scunthorpe, the energy from the visiting cohort was incredible. Making the transition from Year 10 into post-16 study can feel like a daunting leap, but days like this break down barriers. 

Students jumped straight into interactive, specialized subject sessions designed to challenge their critical thinking, ignite their creativity, and push their practical skills to the limit.

Hands-On in the Labs and Creative Studios

Our visiting pupils didn't just sit back, take notes, and watch a slideshow, they got stuck into immersive, real-world learning from the outset.

In our state-of-the-art Health and Social Care simulation suites, students got to experience the highly technical side of modern patient care. This isn't just about reading from a textbook; our facilities mirror real NHS hospital wards. Utilizing professional healthcare equipment and advanced training mannequins under the close guidance of our expert health faculty, the Kirton Academy pupils looked at what it takes to work on the frontline of medicine and care.

Over in the Creative Arts department, the focus shifted entirely to design, physical precision, and personal expression. The creative industries are growing rapidly across the UK, and at JLC, we ensure our students are prepared for industry-standard practices from day one. 

During their workshop, the Year 10 students were introduced to professional graphic design and printmaking techniques. They spent the morning creating custom, high-contrast vinyl stenciled artwork to take home.

• The Design Process: In the studio, students learned how to mask layers, manipulate negative space, and translate abstract visual concepts into clean, striking physical art pieces.

• The Final Products: The sheer pride in their final pieces was unmistakable. Students held up their finished graphic prints at the end of the session, showcasing an impressive level of creative flair.

Throughout every single academic session, the focus, maturity, and positive attitude displayed by the Kirton Academy pupils were exemplary. Whether they were debating a complex point during a seminar or masterfully weeding out a complex vinyl design, their collective enthusiasm lit up our classrooms and impressed our teaching staff.

Dining at Maggies & Summer Campus Enrichments

After an intense, fast-paced morning of academic taster sessions, it was time for the visitors to experience the vital social side of the sixth form journey. Further education is as much about independence and community as it is about grades. The students headed over to Maggies, our popular, modern on-campus refectory, to enjoy a fantastic lunchtime spread together.

With the North Lincolnshire weather treating us to a beautiful, clear summer afternoon, the lunchtime experience quickly moved outside into the fresh air. Pupils took full advantage of our secure open green spaces, relaxing across the manicured courtyard lawns, chatting informally with our student liaison team, and participating in outdoor enrichment games in the sunshine. It provided a perfect, authentic snapshot of what daily life looks like for a student at JLC during their free periods - balancing hard work in the labs with a relaxed, supportive community atmosphere outside.

Preparing for the Next Step: Why Taster Days Matter

Choosing what to do after finishing secondary school is one of the first major choices young people make. Experiences like this taster day are crucial because they demystify the post-16 landscape. Students leave understanding the practical distinctions between traditional exam-based A-Levels, coursework-led BTECs, and the workplace-focused structure of T-Levels (an initiative backed by the UK Government via GOV.UK).

By exploring these paths early in Year 10, Kirton Academy students are now better equipped to align their upcoming GCSEs and personal career goals with the right qualifications. For more details on the pathways available, you can explore the official UCAS Further Education Guide, which outlines how these choices affect future university or degree apprenticeship tracking.

We Hope You Had a Wonderful Time!

A massive thank you to all the brilliant Year 10 pupils, as well as the accompanying staff from Kirton Academy, for making the journey over to our Scunthorpe site. Your exceptional creativity, endless curiosity, and fantastic behavior made it an absolute pleasure to host your cohort.

We hope this brief experience gave you an inspiring glimpse into your future options after secondary school. 

We look forward to seeing how your journeys progress over the next year, and we cannot wait to welcome many of you back through our doors as official JLC enrollment candidates in September 2027!

If you want to discover more about our upcoming open events or take an online look around our facilities, head over to the John Leggott College Campus & Facilities page or look at our full JLC Subject Course Directory.

FAQ Section

What is the purpose of the JLC Year 10 Taster Days?

Taster days are designed to bridge the gap between secondary school and further education. They allow local Year 10 pupils to spend a day acting like a college student. Participating in high-level practical lessons, navigating a real campus, exploring our specialized Scunthorpe facilities, and meeting our tutoring staff. This gives them concrete context to help them make informed choices before applications open in Year 11.

Where do visiting school students eat lunch during their visit?

Visiting schools get the full student lifestyle experience, which includes eating lunch inside Maggies, our main on-campus refectory hub. When the weather allows, students are encouraged to utilize our outdoor seating benches and courtyard lawns to relax and engage with our student liaison and enrichment team.

What are T-Levels, and did the students try them?

T-Levels are two-year technical qualifications designed in collaboration with employers, equivalent to three A-Levels. During their visit, Kirton Academy students got a taste of our Health T-Level pathway by working with real clinical equipment in our simulation ward. You can read more about how these technical qualifications work directly on the Department for Education Portal.

How can other North Lincolnshire secondary schools book a JLC taster day?

Local schools can coordinate directly with the John Leggott College School Liaison Team to arrange bespoke on-campus visits, Year 10 taster experiences, or presentation assemblies. Schools can contact our outreach and admissions office directly via the JLC Contact Page to view upcoming seasonal availability.