T Level learner, Harry Disney has wowed national judges with his dedication to his studies and volunteering with St. John’s Ambulance and East Midlands First Responder Team, by being awarded NCFE’s Learner of the Year title at the annual Aspiration Awards.
Awarded a plaque in a meeting with NCFE Executive, Damian Lythgoe earlier this week, it was Harry’s advocacy for alternatives to traditional academic qualifications that helped his nomination stand out. Harry is one of the first-ever students to study the T Level in Health since the qualification launched in 2021 and has thrived in his studies, acting as a mentor and leader to his classmates in practical sessions, thanks to his extensive history of volunteering with St. John’s Ambulance and voluntary role with the NHS as a first responder.
Highlighting Harry’s determination and positive attitude, the judging panel were impressed with his passion for healthcare and dedication to future aspirations. Aiming to develop a career in emergency medicine, Harry has continued to balance volunteering with his studies, recognising the mixture of practical experience and academic study on offer in T Level learning is the best route to fulfil his ambitions.
“The College has really helped with the journey getting to uni, and getting me to where I am” said Harry, “It’s been a real supportive environment,”
The NCFE Aspiration Awards aim to celebrate the different definitions of success, honouring learners, educators, and organisations exceeding expectations across the UK, and this isn’t the first time the College and Caring Services department have been recognised for their work. Last year, the College and Caring Services team earned the Aspiration Awards Centre of the Year title for their emphasis on high-quality placement opportunities and flexible delivery. Since the completion of the state-of-the-art T Level Centre in 2022, over 150 learners have had access to world-class facilities and equipment.
The blend of hands-on experience and in-class academics offered by T Level qualifications is what has fuelled Harry’s passion for emergency medicine and his future ambitions. Determined to go on to study Paramedic Science at university, the flexible approach to T Level study has opened doors for learners like Harry who find exams and formal assessments challenging. Harry now has a conditional place at the University of Lincoln to study Paramedic Science, one of the most competitive courses with hundreds of applications vying for one of just 20 places.
Caring Services T Level Coordinator, Kate Storr was thrilled to receive the news of Harry’s win, “I’m so proud of him, he’s such a well deserving winner. He’s really worked hard academically as well as dedicating time to his volunteering,”
T Levels are a new qualification, equivalent to studying three A Levels. They provide a high-quality technical alternative to academic exams and combine classroom and work placed learning. Learners undertake external industry placement, developing skills and behaviours needed in a real work environment.
Loughborough College offers seven different T Level courses, ranging from construction, health, digital production, and business management.
To learn more about T Levels at Loughborough College, visit our website.