Careers Start Before Sixth Form: How Primary School Workshops at JLC Are Shaping Young Futures

Yesterday afternoon, the corridors of John Leggott College felt a little different. Year 5 and Year 6 students from Leys Farm Junior School in Scunthorpe arrived on campus for a carousel of hands-on workshops led by staff across some of the college's most popular departments including Engineering, Physics, Creative Media, Creative Arts, Sports, Law and Health.

Six departments, one afternoon, and a group of primary school students who left with a lot more to think about than when they arrived.

What Is a Carousel Workshop and Why Does It Matter?

A carousel workshop is a structured session where students rotate through a series of short, interactive activities, each led by specialists in a different subject area. Rather than sitting still and listening, students get to try things, ask questions and find out what different career and study paths actually feel like in practice.

For Year 5 and Year 6 students, this kind of experience can be genuinely formative. Research consistently shows that early exposure to career ideas, subject areas and real learning environments helps young people develop a broader sense of what is possible for their future. The earlier a child sees what a law workshop or an engineering challenge looks like, the earlier they begin to connect their interests with real pathways.

At a sixth form college like John Leggott College, these visits are about more than a fun afternoon out of school. They are about showing primary school children that the subjects they enjoy today can lead somewhere meaningful.

What the Students Experienced Across the Six Departments

Each department brought something distinct to the afternoon, and students had the chance to dip into each one.

Engineering and Physics gave students a taste of the practical, problem-solving side of science. Engineering is one of the most in-demand career areas in the UK, and activities like these help children start to see themselves as builders and thinkers, not just pupils.

Digital Media introduced students to content creation, design and the digital skills that underpin an enormous range of modern careers, from marketing and journalism through to film production and web development. For students who already spend time online, it can be a genuine lightbulb moment to realise those interests translate into real jobs.

Creative Arts showed students that creativity is a serious and valued skill. From graphic design to performing arts and fine art to photography, the Creative Arts pathway at JLC is one that opens doors into industries that shape culture and communication.

Law is rarely introduced at primary school level, yet it is one of the subjects students at JLC say surprised them most. The law workshop gives young students a first look at how the legal system works, how arguments are constructed and why critical thinking matters, skills that are useful regardless of which career path they eventually choose.

Health covered the broad and rewarding range of careers in health and social care. With the NHS and wider care sector among the largest employers in the UK, understanding what a career in health looks like from a young age can help students make more informed choices at key transition points like choosing GCSEs or post-16 study.

Sport brought energy and enthusiasm to the afternoon. The session covered not just participation in sport but the careers and pathways that exist around it, from coaching and sports science through to physiotherapy and sports journalism.

Why Visits Like This Matter for Year 6 Students in Particular

Year 6 is a significant transition year. Students are preparing to move to secondary school, and the decisions they make in the coming years, including GCSE choices and eventually post-16 options, will shape their opportunities going forward.

Giving Year 6 students access to subject specialists and hands-on activities at a sixth form college does something important. It expands their frame of reference. It shows them that the subjects they might choose at GCSE and beyond are connected to real careers, real skills and real people who have built their professional lives around those interests.

It also demystifies sixth form itself. For many primary school students, a college like JLC can feel like a distant and unfamiliar world. Visiting in person, seeing the facilities, meeting the staff and taking part in real sessions changes that. It makes sixth form something tangible, something they can picture themselves doing one day.

That matters for aspiration, and it matters for attainment. Students who can see a pathway ahead of them are more motivated to pursue it.

The Relationship Between Schools and Colleges in North Lincolnshire

Visits like yesterday's are part of a wider commitment to partnership between schools and colleges across the Scunthorpe area and North Lincolnshire. John Leggott College works closely with local schools and communities to ensure that students across the region have access to the information, guidance and experiences they need to make confident post-16 choices.

Leys Farm Junior School, based in the Bottesford area of Scunthorpe, serves families across north Scunthorpe and the surrounding area. It was wonderful to welcome their Year 5 and Year 6 students to campus, and we hope the afternoon gave them plenty to talk about at home and at school.

For more information about schools in North Lincolnshire and the support available to young people at every stage of their education, visit North Lincolnshire Council's schools and education pages.

From Primary School to Sixth Form: What the Journey Can Look Like

For students currently in Year 5 and Year 6, sixth form might feel a long way off. But the pathways they are beginning to explore now, through workshops, open days and conversations at home, will shape the choices they make in just a few years.

At John Leggott College, students can study A Levels, BTECs and T Levels across a wide range of subjects. Whether a student's interest lies in engineering, the arts, health sciences, law or digital technology, there is a study programme designed to take them further.

You can explore the full range of courses at JLC on the Courses page at leggott.ac.uk. For families thinking ahead to post-16 options, the About Us page gives a clear picture of what life at JLC looks like and what the college offers students.

If you are a school interested in bringing a group to JLC for a workshop visit or taster session, get in touch with the college directly through the Contact Us page.

A Thank You to Leys Farm Junior School

A special thank you to the staff and students of Leys Farm Junior School for making the trip to campus. The students were engaged, curious and enthusiastic throughout every session, and it was a genuine pleasure to spend the afternoon with them.

We hope to see some familiar faces walking through our doors in a few years' time.

FAQ Section

Why do sixth form colleges run workshops for primary school students?

Workshops for primary school students help young people develop early awareness of career pathways, subject areas and what post-16 education looks like in practice. Research shows that early career exposure supports aspiration and helps students make more informed choices at key transition points such as GCSE selection.

What career pathways can students explore at John Leggott College?

JLC offers A Levels, BTECs and T Levels across a wide range of subjects, including Engineering, Digital Media, Creative Arts, Law, Health and Social Care, Sport and many more. Students can explore all available programmes on the Courses page at leggott.ac.uk.

Can my school arrange a visit to John Leggott College?

Yes. JLC welcomes partnership enquiries from local schools and organisations. Contact the college through the Contact Us page to find out what is available.

What is the difference between A Levels, BTECs and T Levels at sixth form?

A Levels are traditional academic qualifications typically studied over two years. BTECs are vocational qualifications that combine coursework and practical learning in specific subject areas. T Levels are newer technical qualifications that include an industry placement and are designed to prepare students for skilled employment or further study. JLC offers all three pathways, and guidance is available to help students choose the right route.

When should students start thinking about sixth form options?

It is never too early to start exploring. Many students begin researching sixth form options in Year 10 and Year 11 when choosing GCSEs, but activities like workshops and open days from Year 5 onwards help build awareness and confidence. JLC holds regular open events where students and families can visit the college, meet staff and explore what is on offer. Details are available on the Dates and Events page.