Spotlight on Talent – Jessica Taylor-Gibbs

Studied: Education and Childcare T Level

Progression: BSc Speech and Language Therapy at Birmingham City University

As soon as Jessica realised her learning strengths lay in developing practical experience in line with academic knowledge, she thrived as a student.

“Prior to my T Level, I’d spent a year in sixth form and realised it just wasn’t for me,” Jessica explained.  “While I prefer exams over coursework, I’ve loved seeing different elements of childcare and education bought to life for me through the college trips we’ve been on and of course my placement.

“I’ve appreciated just how the T level really caters to different kinds of learner,” she said.

“It reflects that people learn in different ways.  Some people enjoy absorbing lots of academic knowledge and theory and want some practical experience.  Others learn in a hands-on way and prefer exams over lots of coursework.

“The way the course is run brings out the best in everyone.”

Jessica’s course highlights included a two-day trip to Liverpool.  Here, the students took part in a workshop at the University of Liverpool where they explored alternative learning environments for children.

This was followed by a visit to a local beach school in Ainsdale where they could see one of these environments in full flow.

“The workshop and beach school reinforced the idea that learning concepts can be taught just as effectively within a natural environment as a traditional classroom,” said Jessica.

“A scavenger hunt for shells for example can teach children a lot about developing an enquiring mind, working independently or in a team and just having fun and being creative with whatever objects are at hand.  Connecting with nature is an important life skill too.”

Equally enjoyable for Jessica was her industry placement at St Marys of the Angels Catholic Primary School in Aldridge.

“On placement, I became aware of the additional support some children with speech impediments may need,” Jessica continued.  “This inspired my university course choice.”

She added: “My goal is to become a speech therapist and hopefully work in a school setting after I’ve graduated.”