DfE T Level and T Level Transition Programme Podcast series – How to plan for success and be ready to deliver

This podcast series is part of the T Level and T Level Transition Programme Provider Delivery Support, delivered by the Association of Colleges and funded by the Department for Education. 

You can find all episodes on your regular podcast channels - Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google or Spotify.

The purpose of these podcasts is to support leaders of providers that are in the early preparation stage of their T Level and T Level Transition Programme journey. In this series, we will hear from a range of current providers and explore their experience of how they managed to successfully plan brand-new T Level and T Level Transition Programme curriculum with personal advice and guidance to support your planning.

Each episode will have a specific focus that will provide information, support and direction to help you in your T Level and T Level Transition Programme journey. 

Episode 1 - The importance of strategic intent

This episode explores the importance of having strategic intent behind successful T Level and T Level Transition Programme launch and development. Mark Hughes speaks to Kirstie Kohling, Assistant Principal for Quality and Curriculum, Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College and Ashley Grute, Assistant Principal Vocational Curriculum, HSDC.

They discuss how they have decided which T Levels and occupational specialisms to deliver, as well as the rationale behind which T Level Transition Programmes they offer. Further support and resources: In this episode the speakers also refer to T Level and T Level Transition Programme provider support programmes that they utilised. 

Episode 2 - What to consider when designing and delivering effective and successful T Level Programmes

This episode covers what to consider when designing and delivering effective and successful and T Level programmes. Mark Hughes speaks to Andrew Bristow, Director of Built Environment, Thomas Telford UTC and Neil Johnson, Assistant Principal Young People, Barnsley College.

They discuss the various roles that employers play in T Level design and delivery, as well as how they induct students and what they do to prepare them for industry placements.

Episode 3 - What to consider when designing and delivering effective and successful T Level Transition Programmes

In this episode Mark Hughes talks to Guy Marshall, Curriculum Lead at Ashton Sixth Form College and Robert Ind, Head of School at Cranford Community College about how to design and deliver effective and successful T Level Transition Programmes.

They talk about how they ensure their students are T Level ready through assessment methods, contextualisation of English and maths and developing work skills.

Episode 4 - Marketing strategies to support the communication and recruitment of T Level & T Level Transition Programme students

In this episode Mark Hughes talks to Christine Kenyon, Deputy Principal for FE, The Manchester College and Phil McPherson, Assistant Principal, City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College.

They talk about how their organisational approach to raising the profile of T Levels and T Level Transition Programmes and strategies they’ve used to recruit students onto these courses. 

Episode 5 - Information and Advice to support T Level and T Level Transition Programme students' progress to positive destinations

Mark Hughes in this episode talks to Roz Hicks, Head of Media, Business and Digital Industries at City College Norwich and Mark Taylor , Head of School and Construction, Engineering, Science and Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing at Preston College.

He discusses with them the progression strategies and approaches they have used to support students to successfully progress from T Level Transition Programmes to T Level Pathways, and from T Levels to higher education, apprenticeships and employment.