Outwood Academy Foxhills Year 10 Students Explore Post-16 Options at John Leggott College

John Leggott College welcomed students from Outwood Academy Foxhills to its Scunthorpe campus on Friday 12th June for a full-day Year 10 taster programme, giving them the chance to experience three live subject sessions, a campus tour, and a pastoral overview of what studying at a specialist sixth form college actually involves.

The day was built to replicate college life as closely as possible. Not a presentation about JLC, but a genuine sample of it.

What did the Foxhills Year 10 taster day involve?

The taster day ran from 9.30am to 2.00pm, structured around three subject sessions with a campus tour, a pastoral talk from a college tutor, and a dedicated lunch and enrichment period in between.

Three separate taster sessions, rather than a single subject block, meant students could explore more than one area of interest across the day. The pastoral talk gave students direct information about the support available at JLC: from progress tutors to the college's wellbeing team, and what the transition from a school environment to a specialist college actually looks like in practice.

What students often find on a day like this is that the subject they assumed they wanted to study is confirmed, or that something they had not previously considered moves up the list entirely.

Which subject pathways were on offer at the taster day?

Nine pathways were available across the day, covering the full breadth of JLC's curriculum from healthcare and engineering to creative arts, law, and computing:

Pathway areas included Caring, Health Care & Medical, Education & Development, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Creative Arts & Media, Digital Computing, Sport, Fitness & UPS, Law, Politics & Comms, Social Research, Psychology & Criminology, Enterprise & Business. All courses provided at A-Level, BTEC, T-Level or Vocational at JLC. 

Each pathway was led by subject specialists from JLC's teaching team. In the Healthcare and Health Professions sessions, students worked with Emily Atkinson in Chemistry and Emily Morris in Health and Social Care. In Engineering and Physical Sciences, Howard Darwin led Physics taster sessions alongside Guy Wilson in Electronics and Engineering. Imogen Hall covered Law, with Ivan Tomb leading Politics in the afternoon session.

Why do Year 10 taster visits matter for post-16 decision-making?

The National Careers Service identifies Year 10 and Year 11 as the critical window for post-16 pathway planning, with students who actively explore their options early more likely to make choices that align with their longer-term career goals [Cite: National Careers Service, post-16 career choices: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk].

For students in North Lincolnshire weighing up whether to remain in a school sixth form or move to a specialist sixth form college, a full taster day provides the most direct comparison available. No prospectus or virtual tour replicates the experience of being in the building, in the lessons, and around the students and staff.

The Sixth Form Colleges Association reports that over 160,000 students study at sixth form colleges across England each year, and the sector delivers more than 20% of all A-Levels sat nationally, figures that reflect the strong academic track record of specialist post-16 institutions [Cite: SFCA Key Facts and Figures: sixthformcolleges.org].

For students from Outwood Academy Foxhills, and from any school across North Lincolnshire and the broader Humber region, John Leggott College represents a step into a learning environment built entirely around post-16 study.

What should Year 10 students do next?

Applications for September 2026 entry are open now. Students from any North Lincolnshire secondary school, or from further afield across the Humber region, can apply directly through the JLC website.

JLC runs taster and open events throughout the academic year, giving Year 10 and Year 11 students regular opportunities to visit the campus and meet subject tutors before making their post-16 choice.

FAQ Section

When is the next Year 10 or Year 11 taster day at John Leggott College?

JLC runs taster and open events throughout the academic year for students in Year 10 and Year 11. Dates are published on the JLC website and shared with schools across North Lincolnshire. Students can also contact the college directly to arrange an individual visit to the Scunthorpe campus. 

Which subject pathways can Year 10 students explore at a JLC taster day?

JLC offers nine subject pathways at taster events, covering Healthcare, Education, Engineering, Creative Arts, Digital Computing, Sport, Law, Social Research, and Enterprise and Business. Each pathway includes multiple subjects, giving students an overview of their related options. The full list of A-Level, BTEC and T-Level courses is available on the JLC course search page. 

Can students from any school attend a JLC taster day?

Yes, JLC taster events are open to Year 10 and Year 11 students from any school across North Lincolnshire and the wider Humber region. Schools interested in arranging a group visit for their students can contact the college directly to discuss dates and logistics.

How do Year 10 students apply to John Leggott College?

Students can register their interest in JLC at any point in Year 10, with formal applications for the following September's intake opening in the autumn term of Year 11. Applications are made directly through the JLC website, and the process typically takes around 20 minutes to complete.