School and College Leavers
Parents and carers you are very influencial in your young persons decision making. But one of the best (and if you are anything like me) hardest, things you can do is to encourage them to make their own choices with some support from you.
Help them to find information but try not to tell them what to do or what not to do. Making decisions for yourself is a lifeskill. If you don't enable them to practice and sometimes make mistakes, they won't learn.
If they take a choice they regret there is almost always an option to change direction. Along the way they will have gained an experience and a story to tell a prospective employer or educator about how and why they now know this route will suit them best.
The UK government raised the age of participation in 2013 meaning that you are now expected to remain in education or training until your eighteenth birthday.
This can be via:
According to government statistics most 16 to 18 year olds do remain in full-time study of some kind, see:
What is on offer will vary depending on the size and nature of the school. Not all schools will have a sixth form. Just because you have a place in year 11 it does not follow that you will be offered a place in the sixth form. You must meet the entry requirements. Many schools will offer A-levels. Some will also offer vocational courses such as BTEC's.
They are 2 year courses. You will typically take 3 subjects. You will normally need to have achieved (or predicted to achieve) at least 5 GCSE's at 4's and above. Many sixth forms will ask for higher grades for at least some subjects. Check specific entry requirements. For example to take A-level maths you may well need to have achieved at least a 7 in GCSE maths.
A-levels are academic qualifications and usually graded via exams in the May/June of year 13 there is typically little to no coursework element.
They are a little harder to explain because they are available at different levels. However a level 3 BTEC is equivalent to A-level standard. They are also at different sizes so depending on where you study you may be able to take a BTEC that is a similar size to 3 A-levels or one A-level or even half an A-level. Check the details. BTEC is more vocational and more coursework focused. It may have some tests and exams but will also use coursework to assess your final grades.
Again what is on offer will vary. Some will offer A-levels others will focus more on vocational subjects such as BTEC and T-levels and some will offer all of these and more. As they are typically larger than sixth forms they will probably have a wider choice of courses. They may have more specalist equipement so they may be able to offer courses in areas like plumbing, beauty therapy, photography, VFX, that sixth forms cannot offer. They will usually offer a wider range of course levels so may have a lot more on offer for those who are looking for courses at level 1 and level 2 as well as level 3. They may also offer entry level qualifications.
A new initiative offering a qualification a bit like a BTEC level 3 extended diploma but with an additional work experience requirement. For more information see
T Levels | The Next Level Qualification
I often get asked "Which is better college or sixth form?" There really isn't a better or a worse, it is about finding the best fit for you. Staying in your own school sixth form can give you the least amount of disruption and this may suit you well. But, moving somewhere new and perhaps having to be a little more independence can also be beneficial and may be good preparation for adult life. The best advice I can give you is to look around and make an informed decision for yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Before you make any decisions about what to study you should check typical entry requirements. For some courses you will need to have studied specific subjects. Check by using
UCAS | At the heart of connecting people to higher education
Also this webiste has been put togther by the Russell Group to help with subject choices for univeristy
Informed Choices | Informed Choices
An apprenticeship is a job with training attached. The training should lead to a nationally recognised qualification. An apprenticeship should last for at least a year but can last longer and typically people will be working for at least 30 hours per week. You might be doing a day a week at a college, training provider or university in person or you might be logging in remotely to complete work. An assessor is likely to visit you in the workplace from time to time. An apprenticeship is about learning how to do a job and then being able to demonstrate you know how to do the job. There are a huge variety of apprenticeships now in sectors like hair & beauty, construction, nursing, teaching and even a new route into becoming a doctor via an apprenticeship.
Anyone at any age can be taken on via an apprenticeship. A graduate or an experienced worker may take up and apprenticeship.
Look to see what is available in your area
Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Find out more
Your school should help you to understand your options after year 11. Your local council area should have information and help available. Sixth forms and colleges will have open evenings. They often take place in the Autumn term of year 11. You can apply to as many places as you like. Definite decisions won't be made until you get your GCSE results in August. Also look out for local training providers. They are organisations that offer vocational training for young people and/or adults. They may have short courses to help you get ready for an apprenticeship or they may offer training that sits alongside an apprenticeship.
Talk it over
Shop around and research your options. Talk to people who know you best. This is where it can help to get some independent careers advice. A careers adviser should know what is available in the local area. They can help you to get your thoughts in order and make an action plan.
Useful Links:
Get the Jump: explore your education and training choices | National Careers Service
Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Pick a route | Informed Choices
Do IT | Connecting people to do good things
For our community - Volunteering Matters
The main choices you have include:
Universitites offer a wide range of courses, not just degree courses. Many now offer distance learning options. You don't have to live away from home.
They are on offer at a range of levels. As an alternative to a full-time degree at university you could explore degree apprenticeships. A degree apprenticeship can enable you to gain a degree while you work Degree apprenticeships | Prospects.ac.uk
Full or part-time employment options will usually be easier to find at 18 than at 16. Opportunities will of course depend on where you live and where you interests and strengths lie. Local councils and the NHS can be big local employers. Look for "trainee" in the title and you may find schemes very similar to apprenticeships. Have a look at:
Latest Jobs - Investment20/20 (investment2020.org.uk) for school leaver schemes as well as graduate opportunities
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