Leeds Notre Dame Sixth Form student becomes one of first in UK to study new T levels course

David Baker, 17, began studying the new T level qualification in digital production, design and development in 2020 at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, Leeds, which was one of the first in the country to offer the course.

T Levels are equivalent to three A Levels and give students the opportunity to have a mixture of classroom learning (80 per cent) and real-life work experience (20 per cent).

Students are offered a 45-day industry placement as part of the course.

David said: “I personally had a deep interest in technology from a child and my dad has always used computers and my grandad has always worked with computers and so I was always naturally brought up with a computer around me and I’ve always found it really interesting".

After doing a course in computer science last year, David felt the T Levels course would help him to focus his studies on areas he has an interest in, rather than taking three separate A Level subjects.

“It’s one thing being taught in front of a whiteboard compared to actually being there and having hands on experience in computer systems", David said.

"I think the experience I will get from actually being there will definitely help me."

David is planning to go to university next.

He added: “I have recently been working with computer assisted design and doing things with architecture. It’s opened up more than just computing for me.

“It’s good to recognise while the T level is new its very well suited for the future and its something that will be able to give people a great path and reach their goals.”

David’s dad Simon said: “I’m thrilled to see David doing a T Level in a subject he is passionate about.

“I hope it will give him a solid industry relevant qualification, confidence in his own abilities in a workplace environment, and a solid foundation to go into the industry he has a passion for.”

21 schools and colleges in Yorkshire are delivering T levels programmes from 2020-2023.

You can find out more about T Levels at www.tlevels.gov.uk

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