A new outdoor classroom to enable T Level students to develop childcare expertise has been unveiled at The Sheffield College.
The facility at City Campus, Granville Road, aims to enhance the learning and skills activities of students completing the T Level in Childcare and Education.
Outdoor education has been found to develop young children’s creativity, confidence, social skills, environmental awareness and wellbeing.
The newly completed outdoor classroom, funded by the college and the Department for Education, will be used by students and staff supervising children who attend City Nursery.
The 60-place nursery, based in the grounds of City Campus and which is Ofsted graded ‘good’, provides full-time and part-time places for 0 to 5-year-olds.
Martin Harrison, Executive Director of Finance, The Sheffield College, said: “Educating and training students in the skills that employers need is a top priority. We are delighted to be able to invest in our estate and create an outdoor classroom that will not only benefit our students but the children attending City Nursery.”
Students and staff including Angela Foulkes, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, attended a launch event on 21st June 2024. Guests Lee Jowett, Climate Change and Sustainability Research Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University and Mark Lallemand, Coordinator, Schools Climate Education South Yorkshire also attended.
The new facility is designed to help students develop the skills to deliver outdoor learning activities to young children when they go further in their careers. It also reflects elements of the college’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2023/24 created with students, staff and stakeholders.
The plan’s priorities include committing to a green skills curriculum, raising awareness about the climate and integrating environmental sustainability across the college’s culture, activities and estate.
T Levels are two-year technical qualifications equivalent to three A Levels that have been developed with employers. Students complete 80% of their learning at college and 20% on a 45 day industry placement.
At the college, T Levels are available in subject areas including animal care, business, childcare, construction and building trades, engineering, fashion and textiles, hair and beauty, health and social care, IT and computing and science.
Appy now and find out more about our T Levels starting in September 2024.
Pictured: Students and staff attend the launch of the new outdoor classroom.
