New Level 1 Travel and Tourism Course Ensures Students Successful Start to Careers

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A new approach to the teaching of the Level 1 National Certificate in Travel and Tourism which has recently been introduced at Barry College in Wales has proved to be a somewhat of a success achieving a 100% pass rate.

The programme is designed for students with poor GCSE results and seeks to equip them with an insight into different work experience through, amongst other things, visits primary schools and coaching the pupils whilst gaining qualifications and taking part in outdoor pursuits involving working as part of a team to boost confidence.

The course tutor, Andrea Williams, and lecturers who deliver the programme looked at the design of the course to ensure it was interactive and gave an insight into travel and sport courses. They came up with various ideas for different ways of learning to build skills and qualifications and to improve their students confidence. Most of the students have now progressed successfully onto other courses within the Travel and Sport department, including the National Certificate in Travel and Tourism, and the First Diploma in Sport.

The Students

Adrian Sargant, 16 from Barry, has progressed on to the Level 2 National Certificate in Travel and Tourism, and said: “I joined Barry College at the age of 15 as part of an arranged programme from Llantwit Major School. I did the Sports Leader Award as part of the course. This was my favourite bit because we linked with schools and helped to teach the pupils football and rounders.”

Another student, Christopher Field, 18, from Ely, has always enjoyed sport. He joined the course to give him qualifications in this area, and said of his experience: “I have now progressed onto the BTEC First Diploma in Sport. The lecturers on the Introductory Certificate have really helped give me confidence, we can have a laugh and learn!”

The Staff

Ms Williams and Alan Ackerman, a lecturer on the course, recently held a presentation for the students where they awarded certificates to celebrate the students success. Alan said: “We sometimes had to look at different ways of teaching, and found that making learning fun helps people to enjoy the class and therefore work and achieve.”

Principal of Barry College, Paul Halstead agrees, saying: “This new 1 year programme has proved an incredible success for the students involved. 100% retention and attainment and such high levels of progression on a Level 1 programme is quite an achievement as often such courses are dealing with students that have not achieved in school. The innovative course, teaching methods used and enthusiastic lecturers involved has shown great results. Hopefully the success will continue this year.”

Michael Lloyd

Tell us if this course can travel, bringing success in its wake, in the FE Blog

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