Aimee Blue, a pupil at St Pius X College, said she isn’t sure what she wants to do when she leaves school later this year so the ‘taster sessions’ could help her make up her mind.
“It’s a good idea as we got to learn about the different courses that are available and what they involve.”
Magherafelt High School pupil, Sam Ross agrees. “I didn’t realise all the different courses that are available here so the ‘taster sessions’ are a good way to learn about them.”
The College offers a wide range of Level 2 and Level 3 vocational courses as well as training and apprentice programmes which can either be a pathway to employment or a progression route to university.
Helen Hampsey, Head of Care and Access and Technology, explains the thinking behind the ‘taster sessions’: “Year 12 is a very important year for these young people. As decisions they make later this year could affect their career in the longer term, it’s important that they have all the relevant information so they can make an informed decision and one that is right for them.”
Helen added that the feedback from the teachers who accompanied the students to the ‘taster sessions’ was very positive.
“They were impressed with the curriculum offered by the College and felt this was a good opportunity for their students to see what other options are available to them in the local area.”