Post 16 Pathways
When you leave Year 11 there are different options. Do some research and look at which option best suits you - your interests, your strengths and your situation. It can be confusing for some, so talk to a professional careers adviser about your options; ask your careers or form teacher to arrange an interview as there should be an adviser in school.
After Year 11 you could either:
Continue studying full time at a further education college, sixth form college, school sixth form or a University Technical College
an Apprenticeship or Traineeship
part-time education or training combined with employment, self-employment or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week
A Levels are academic two-year courses offered by further education colleges, sixth form colleges and school sixth forms. Usually, you would study three A Levels and you can study a subject you took at GCSE or a new subject like Law or Psychology, for example. You could choose subjects that keep your career options open but for some careers you may need to choose specific subjects (like for Medicine). You need at least 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (including English and maths) – check with the college or school you are applying to. A Levels are mostly assessed by exams. They can lead to university/college study, higher and degree Apprenticeships or employment. Find providers here.
T Levels are new two-year course, equivalent to 3 A Levels and have been designed with employers to give you the skills and knowledge for the workplace. They are being introduced gradually in further education and sixth form colleges in subjects including Digital based subjects, Health, Building Service Engineering and Science. T Levels combine classroom learning with an in-depth work placement for at least 45 days. They are assessed by exams, projects and practical assignments; they can lead to University/College study, higher and degree Apprenticeships or skilled employment. Find providers here.
Vocational courses at college cover a wide range of different subjects that are linked to a career you are interested in. This includes, Hair and Beauty, engineering, construction and business studies. They are offered at different levels depending on the qualifications you have when you enter the course and combine classroom learning and work placements. They can lead to Apprenticeships, employment, further study at university or college. Find providers here.
Apprenticeships are jobs with training and are available at different levels depending on what qualifications you have.; the levels are intermediate, advanced and degree Apprenticeships and are in a wide range of career areas, for example, digital industries, childcare, paralegal, teaching, business and surveying. You will be paid a wage and based most of your time in your workplace and some of the time may be spent in a college or training centre and will gain qualifications related to your job. You can progress to the next level of Apprenticeship, other employment or to university. Find providers here.
Traineeships include a work placement that helps you get ready for an Apprenticeship or a job. It is unpaid but you have work experience in a job you are interested in and help to apply for your next step. You can also get help to improve your English and maths. Traineeships can last from six weeks to one year and lead to Apprenticeships, employment or study at college.
Foundation courses are available in further education colleges and with training providers. If you don’t have the qualifications to go into a higher level course at college or not ready to progress to a Traineeship or Apprenticeship, these may be the next best step for you. You will get help and support to prepare for work, study and personal development skills. Talk to your teacher or careers adviser in school about what options would suit you best.
Supported Internships are study programmes based mainly with an employer and are for young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan. You would be given full support to learn the skills needed in the job and some classroom learning to study for, say, English and maths or workplace skills. Where possible, you would move into paid employment at the end of the Internship. Most young people who go onto a Supported Internship will have first completed a course at college or school, which gets them more work ready for the Internship.
Download our Parents’ guide which further explores the options, how to help your son or daughter make choices and some useful websites.
