Lealands School Students Explore Health & Social Care and Early Years at Oaklands

Oaklands College welcomed 30 Year 10 students and four members of staff from Lealands School to the Welwyn Garden City campus for an engaging day exploring Health & Social Care and Early Years.

The students are currently studying these subjects at GCSE and are beginning to explore their options for further education and future careers. The visit gave them the opportunity to experience what it is like to study these vocational subjects at Oaklands and discover the progression opportunities available to them.

The Early Years session was led by Tammy, alongside two current Oaklands Early Years students who shared their own experiences of studying at the College.

They spoke about their course, student life and the wide range of career opportunities available within the Early Years sector. Students then took part in six interactive activities linked to different areas of the curriculum, before exploring Oaklands' specialist nursery room on a guided tour.

The hands-on activities allowed students to experience some of the practical elements of an Early Years course and gain a better understanding of what they could expect from their studies at college.

The Health & Social Care session was led by Maatee, who introduced students to a series of realistic hospital case studies. The activities challenged students to consider how patients might be supported and cared for at different stages of their healthcare journey.

Students also had the opportunity to explore and use a range of clinical equipment, including:

• Defibrillator
• Blood pressure monitor
• Oxygen equipment
• Blood oxygen monitor
• Height and weight measuring equipment

A highlight of the session was meeting ALEX, Oaklands' interactive patient simulator. Students practised their communication skills and bedside manner through realistic healthcare scenarios, helping them understand how classroom learning can be applied in professional healthcare settings.

The group finished their visit with a tour of Oaklands' specialist maternity suite.

The visit provided students with valuable insight into the practical nature of Health & Social Care and Early Years courses, while giving them the chance to speak to current students and experience Oaklands' specialist facilities.

Lealands School's Careers Adviser said:

“The visit was both enjoyable and highly informative, giving students a valuable insight into the opportunities and pathways available after Lealands. It was fantastic to see how engaged they were throughout the day, and many left feeling inspired and excited about their future options. Experiences like this make a real difference in helping young people build confidence and make informed decisions about their next steps.”

A huge thank you to Tammy, Maatee and our current students for delivering such engaging and informative sessions.

We look forward to welcoming more prospective students to Oaklands in the future and helping them explore the exciting opportunities available through our Health & Social Care and Early Years courses.