Choices at 14+
Choices at 16+
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Choices at 16+

Choices at 16+

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Find an Apprenticeship

National Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service
Get on the job training with an apprenticeship. Study for a nationally recognised qualification whilst earning.

UCAS Progress

Find courses at schools, academies, colleges and work-based learning providers.

Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency

Developing the curriculum, improving and delivering assessments.

Did you know that you are guaranteed an offer of learning? This is called the September Guarantee
Your Personal Adviser will be able to give you information and advice about your options.


This can be:

  • Full or part-time education in a sixth form or college.
  • An Apprenticeship
  • Foundation Learning

The offer will meet your needs, so it will have to take account of your qualifications, be somewhere that you can travel to, and the sort of learning you want to do.

Remember! The law has changed - From 2013, young people will be required to continue in education or training until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17 and from 2015, they will be required to continue until their 18th birthday.
This is called Raising the Participation Age (RPA)
 
This does not necessarily mean staying in school, there are several ways you can do this.
 
You could:
  • Stay in full time education
  • Go into work based learning(such as an Apprenticeship or Foundation Learning)
  • Go into part-time education or training if you are employed, self-employed or volunteer for more than
    20 hours a week.

Staying in Full Time Education 

There are plenty of colleges or schools with sixth forms to choose from locally! What you'll do there will depend on the qualifications you get in year 11.

This could include:

  • Advanced Subsidiary (AS) leading to A Levels
  • Vocational Courses - BTEC or similar qualifications
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Improving your GCSEs depending on your results, some colleges offer resits in English, maths and other subjects.

 

To make sure you get it right you’ll need to:

  • Visit the places that interest you to check out their courses. School and Colleges Open Days tells you about open days
  • Use the on-line prospectus UCAS Progress which gives you information about learning after year 11.
  • Talk to your Personal Adviser.

Earn while you learn

This includes:

  • Apprenticeships where you'll have the chance to train for a NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in a particular job and learn key skills and gain confidence.
  • Any job where the company offers training that leads to recognised qualifications like NVQs.

Foundation Learning and Voluntary Work

  • Foundation Learning where you can get extra support to help you learn.
  • Work experience-voluntary work is a great way to gain experience and develop skills, just what employers ae looking for!

Jobs without training

This isn’t a good choice, though at 16 it might appear different, especially if the pay’s good. Without training you might find your chances of getting on more difficult, ask your Personal Adviser about getting some training.

2 educationYou can use the library in your Connexions Centre too as it has information for you to read or take away. Visit Education Weblinx for more useful websites.