Both admit it’s not their ideal subject choice but they were anxious to have college experience. “I’d like to become a nursery nurse but this gives me another choice,” said Emma, from Shire Green.

“College is different from school, it’s not as strict. I like it because it’s more grown-up. We get a good idea of college life. But it doesn’t mean I don’t work hard at school. We only do an afternoon a week at college. I think we should have more time here. I think school should be more like college.

“I don’t feel out of my depth. I feel confident. It’s opened my eyes (to what I can do).”

Alex, from Thorpe Hesley, sees the course as a way of making him more employable when he leaves school. “It gives me another choice,” he said. “It’s helping me get a better idea of what I can do. And being in college has given me more confidence.

“We do much more practical work here than we do at school which is good experience and I could probably get a job more easily than with just my exams when I leave school.”

Esther Leach