T Level Resource Improvement Projects

Education and Training Foundation T Level Resource Improvement Projects (TRIPs) are action research projects developed by providers already delivering T Levels, to provide resources to support planning and delivery of T Levels for providers at all stages of the process.

TRIPs incorporate a mixture of lesson plans and classroom resources and are produced on a route-by-route basis. There are also general TRIPs which cover aspects of T Level delivery relevant to all routes, such as employability skills and progression pathways to higher education.

Details of the TRIPs can be found on T Level course pages, general TRIPs are listed below.

Developing a portfolio of guidance and resource materials to support T Level implementation and delivery

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) presents a case study that considers how a lecturing team has designed a T Level programme. Some resources provided are based on year 1 of the T Level in Education and Early Years programme, however, resources can be adapted to reflect other T Level routes.

Produced by Blackpool and The Flyde College, and peer-reviewed by Lancaster and Morecambe College, this TRIP includes:

• guidance on curriculum design and planning
• Education and Early Years programme plan
• guidance on planning timescales
• Blank programme plan
• guidance on induction and delivery times
• think back, feedforward reflective activity
• sample scheme of work for Education and Early Years
• internal quality assuror of formative assessment brief feedback sheet
• internal quality assessor feedback sheet for learner formative assessment
• guidance on assessment preparation.

Core specialisms

The core specialisms covered include:

• Element 1: Wider context
• Element 2: Supporting education 
• Element 5: Parents, families and carers
• Element 6: Working with others
• Element 8: Observation and assessment  
• Element 9: Reflective practice.

Downloadable resources

This TRIP can be found here. 

Contextualised learning materials to support understanding and skills of challenging maths concepts

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) has been developed to provide employer informed and peer reviewed learning materials which contextualise maths within the Construction, Business and Administration and Engineering and Manufacturing T Levels.

Produced by Hertford Regional College, this TRIP consists of four lessons with downloadable resources including PowerPoint presentations. By the end of the four lessons, learners will be able to apply mathematics in a range of engineering applications. The lessons will gradually increase the level of complexity and expose learners to a range of different engineering contexts.

Lesson 1: Trigonometry in engineering and manufacturing

The lesson is designed as an introduction to trigonometry in engineering and manufacturing. By the end of the lesson learners should be able to:

• identify the angles in a right-angled triangle
• identify the sides of a right-angled triangle
• determine the values of the angles in a right-angled triangle
• explain the use of angles in relation to engineering and manufacturing.

Lesson 2: Trigonometry in engineering and manufacturing
The lesson is designed to explain how to do trigonometry calculations as a follow-on session from the first introduction session. By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:

• apply trigonometric functions (sin, cos and tan)
• determine the dimension of a triangle using sine and cosine rules
• explain and discuss what right-angled triangles and acute angles are
• define what the sides of a triangle are called
• state how we would identify these sides
• explain the ratio or functions of the sides SOA, CAH and TOA.

Lesson 3: Trigonometry in engineering and manufacturing

The lesson is designed to introduce contextualised trigonometry in engineering and manufacturing. By the end of the lesson learners should be able to:

• calculate the angles and the lengths of the sides of a right-angled triangle
• investigate examples for contextualising the application of trigonometry
• solve worked examples of contextualised trigonometry.

Lesson 4: Trigonometry in engineering and manufacturing

The lesson is designed to introduce contextualised trigonometry in engineering and manufacturing. By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:

• apply trigonometry in various contextualised engineering and manufacturing scenarios.

 Downloadable resources

This TRIP can be found here.

Communities of Practice – Developing pathways from T Levels to local HE

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) showcases videos to support learners with their student experience for all routes of T Level.

Produced jointly by East Sussex College Group and University of Brighton, this TRIP was created to support staff and students to better understand how T Level and Degree programmes can align to provide clear progression pathways for students.

Resources include three videos, summarised below.

T Levels What Are They?

This video provides an overview of the structure of T Levels, entry criteria as required by East Sussex College and application process. It focusses on the importance of employer involvement and industry placement and provides information on possible progression routes. A T Level student talks briefly about their transition from secondary onto the Education and Childcare T Level course including her experiences on placement.

East Sussex T Level Progression

This video highlights the Digital Production, Design and Development T Level. It includes a statement by a University of Brighton lecturer about the benefits and relevance of doing this particular T Level in relation to progression to HE, and an East Sussex College student provides their own perspective on the course and the elements they enjoy best.

East Sussex T Level Progression

This video highlights the Design, Surveying and Planning T Level. It includes statements by a University of Brighton lecturer and an East Sussex College course leader about the benefits and relevance of this T Level in relation to progression to HE and into employment. An East Sussex College student provides their own perspective on the course and the elements they enjoy best.

Downloadable resources

This TRIP can be found here.

Developing employment competency

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) showcases materials improve teaching practice for multiple T Levels routes.

Produced by Middlesborough College, Darlington College, Southport College, Manchester College, and Nelson and Colne College, this TRIP consists of resources (both route specific and non-specific teaching) preparing learners for the progressive development of employment skills and workplace behaviours.

Resources include:

• a range of taxonomies: childcare, combined taxonomy, digital, engineering, health
• five-week scheme of work on employability
• six-week scheme of work with accompanying PDF slides
• student employability survey questions
• T Level group tutorials initiators such as disabilities aware, create a digital footprint, positive mindset.

General competencies

The general competencies covered include:

•  GEC2 Present information and ideas.
•  GEC4 Summarise information/ideas.
•  GEC6 Take part in/leading discussions.
•  GD2 Design, create and edit documents and digital media.
•  GD3 Communicate and collaborate.
•  GD5 Be safe and responsible online.

These activities will support learner development of English, mathematical and digital literacies, and enhanced collaboration skills through problem-based learning.

Downloadable resources

This TRIP can be found here.