St Bede's Year 10 Students Explore Career Pathways At John Leggott College

Year 10 students from St Bede's visited John Leggott College in Scunthorpe for a Y10 Taster Day, taking part in hands-on subject sessions across six career pathway areas.

The visit gave students a first look at sixth form life before they apply for post-16 places, as they start thinking ahead to the 2027 entry cycle.

What is a Y10 Taster Day at John Leggott College?

A Y10 Taster Day is a structured visit that lets Year 10 pupils sample subject areas, meet JLC staff and experience the college campus before they choose their post-16 pathway.

The format gives students a genuine feel for college life rather than a scripted tour, moving between real classrooms, workshops and specialist facilities normally used by current JLC students.

Staff use the day to explain the range of courses on offer, from A-Level subjects to BTEC and other vocational routes, so students can start narrowing down what might suit them.

Specialist sixth form colleges educate a significant share of A-Level students nationally, which is one reason schools like St Bede's build early visits like this into Year 10 [Cite: Sixth Form Colleges Association — sixthformcolleges.org].

Which subject pathways did St Bede's students explore?

St Bede's students rotated through taster sessions in six career pathway areas, each linked to a cluster of related JLC courses.

• Caring, Healthcare & Medical Professions, where students worked with a clinical simulation mannequin used for hands-on nursing and health and social care training

• Education & Development, where students took part in an early years and primary-style activity

• Business & Law, where students worked through enterprise and legal reasoning tasks

• Science, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), where students used specialist workshop and lab equipment

• Sport, Fitness & Public Services, where students trained in JLC's strength and conditioning facilities

• Social Research, Psychology & Criminology, where students took part in an outdoor forensic investigation exercise

Grouping sessions this way mirrors how JLC structures its curriculum areas, so students leave with a realistic sense of which subject cluster matches their interests.

Every Year 10 student will eventually weigh up staying in full-time education against an apprenticeship or a job with training, and early exposure like this helps that decision feel less abstract [Cite: National Careers Service Post-16 Options - nationalcareers.service.gov.uk]. 

Students can browse the full range of courses linked to each pathway via our courses page.

What did JLC ask of students during the visit?

JLC asked visiting students to represent their school well, take an active part in every session, ask questions and support each other throughout the day.

Because exams were taking place elsewhere on campus at the same time, students were also asked to move between sessions calmly and follow staff instructions closely.

Lunch was provided for all visitors, with dietary requirements accommodated in advance and regular reminders to stay hydrated throughout the day.

What happens next for Year 10 students thinking about JLC?

Year 10 students who want to find out more can contact JLC's admissions team directly or explore course information ahead of applying for the 2027 entry cycle.

Anyone with questions after the visit was encouraged to speak to a member of staff before leaving, and the same support is available year-round through.

This kind of early, informal contact sits alongside JLC's wider admissions calendar, including open events later in the school year for prospective students, domestic and international, weighing up their next step.

Education outcomes across North Lincolnshire have continued to improve in recent years, giving local families more confidence in the post-16 choices available close to home [Cite: North Lincolnshire Education Report — northlincs.gov.uk].

FAQ Section

What is a Y10 taster day?

A Y10 taster day is a supervised visit that lets Year 10 pupils try out subject areas and college facilities before choosing their post-16 options. Schools such as St Bede's arrange these visits so students get a realistic sense of college life before they need to apply.

Can Year 10 students visit John Leggott College before applying?

Yes, JLC runs Y10 taster days and open events throughout the year so prospective students can explore the campus before making a post-16 decision. These visits are usually arranged through a student's current school rather than booked individually.

How is a sixth form college taster day different from a school open evening?

A taster day gives students hands-on time in real lessons and facilities, while an open evening is typically a shorter guided look around the site. Taster days at JLC involve rotating through several subject pathway sessions across a full day, rather than a single walkthrough.