T Level Accounting Development Spotlight

Our Work Placement Coordinator, Ruhina Mehdi, and T Level Accounting teacher, Sharona Harrigan, attended an inspiring T Level Accounting professional development event on 12th December. The event brought together educators, awarding bodies, and industry specialists for a day of insight, collaboration, and innovation.

The event covered the following topics:

ETF Introduction – an overview of ETF’s role and event briefing.
The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) opened the day with an overview of its mission to support high-quality technical education across the UK. The session outlined the purpose of the event, key sector priorities, and the evolving T Level landscape. It provided clear context for the sessions ahead and reinforced ETF’s commitment to supporting colleges with resources, professional guidance, and training.

ACCA Session – updates on the accounting market, ACCA qualification changes, T Level support, and career pathways.
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) representative Rob Alder delivered an informative update on current trends in the accounting profession, including shifts in employer expectations and the growing demand for digital and analytical skills. He also outlined recent changes to ACCA qualification routes and how T Level learners can progress into professional training. The session highlighted the wide range of career pathways available to students and emphasised how T Levels equip them for both employment and further study.

Xero Demo – insight into the T Level accounting software package.
Attendees were given a hands-on demonstration of Xero, the cloud-based accounting software that aligns well with the T Level curriculum. The demo showcased key features students will use, such as invoicing, reporting, and digital bookkeeping, helping staff understand how to embed real-world digital skills into lessons. This practical session will support more effective delivery of industry-standard tools in the classroom.

Pearson Workshops – key lessons from three years of delivery, exam insights, preparation tips for ESP and exams, and best practice from colleges nationwide. Pearson’s workshop series offered valuable reflections from three years of T Level Accounting delivery. Facilitators shared common student challenges, effective teaching strategies, and insights into the assessment structure. The sessions provided practical tips to strengthen preparation for the Employer Set Project (ESP) and external exams, along with examples of best practice from colleges across the country. These takeaways will directly support teaching quality and student achievement.

(An ESP is a key component of the T Level programme, giving students the chance to apply the knowledge and skills gained on their work placement to produce a substantial piece of work in response to an employer-set brief.)

Ruhina and Sharona returned with valuable insights to strengthen our T Level Accounting delivery. The knowledge they brought back will directly support the development of stronger industry placement opportunities for our students. Both agreed it was a highly productive day that supports our commitment to delivering outstanding T Level education.