Post-16 Choices and decision-making

May 2020 Today we’re going to find out more about:

Your options after Year 11

The different qualifications you can study after Year 11

How your careers adviser from C&K Careers will help you 16+ options… Studying full time at a school 6th form, college or a training provider

An apprenticeship or traineeship Working (including self-employment) or volunteering (for at least 20 hours a week) while in part-time education or training 16+ qualifications… A levels BTECs/City & Guilds/Cambridge Technicals T levels NVQs/VQs Study full-time at sixth form, college or with a training provider School sixth form Sixth form college • Attached to a Secondary School. • Specialist college for 16-18 year olds. • Sixth forms can vary in size so the • Mainly offers academic courses. courses and subjects you can study • Offers a wide range of subjects. will vary. • They usually offer a smaller learning environment and have smaller class sizes.

Examples of sixth forms locally : Examples of 6th form colleges locally: Shelley College Creative & Media Studio School New College Study full-time at sixth form, college or with a training provider Further Education (FE) Training Provider college • Usually offers a wider range of both • Tend to work in smaller groups vocational and academic courses. • Courses may start all year round • Offers courses for all ages and ability • Opportunity for work experience – if levels. you prefer learning by doing a job • Offer both full time and part time • Some training providers offer courses. traineeships

Examples of FE colleges locally : Examples of Training Providers College locally: Calderdale College The Link Leeds City College Woodspeen Training An apprenticeship or traineeship Popular entry route to vocational areas Job + Training Recognised qualification • Combine work with study at a college or training provider. • Earn a wage £4.15 p/h from April 2020 • Work towards a qualification, usually an NVQ • Start at Level 2 and often ask for GCSE grade 4 in English and Maths. • Longer hours and shorter holidays than college/6th form Spend 20 hours or more, a week, working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training

• If working you would earn a salary but if you were volunteering you would not • A way to gain skills, confidence and experience • You are required to remain in education or training until your 18th birthday, so you need to be studying part time in your own time as well as working or volunteering. Now let's have a look at the different qualifications available What does studying A levels involve?

Entry requirements: Subjects you At least five GCSES Mainly know from GCSE at grades 9-4, including exam-based e.g. history, English, art English assessment plus new ones such and maths. as law & psychology

Many students decide to take A levels if Offered by school Most students they enjoy studying, are sixth forms, study 3 subjects good at exams & are sixth form colleges thinking about and some FE colleges going to university What does studying a BTEC involve?

BTECs are just 1 type Available at of vocational qualification. different levels – 1, 2 & 3. Entry requirements for They focus on a specific The level you start on Level 3 BTECs are depends on your GCSE area of work e.g. usually four or five IT, animal care or construction grades. so are good if you want to You can progress GCSEs at grades 9-4 focus on 1 vocational area through the levels

Mainly continuous At Level 3 they are Offered by some school assessment accepted by most sixth forms, some sixth –course work but universities for many form colleges there could still be a degree level courses. and all FE colleges few exams

See the next slide for more information on how you can study BTECS on their own or combined with A levels! BTEC Course Levels and combinations

Remember, which level of BTEC you start on will depend on your GCSE grades and you can progress through the levels.

At Level 3, BTECs are available in different sizes and are equivalent to A levels – for example:

BTEC Level 3 BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma = 3/4 A levels BTEC Level 3 Diploma = 2 A levels BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma = 1.5 A levels BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate = 1 A level

BTEC Level 2

BTEC Level 1 What does studying a T Level involve?

T levels are new Vocational or In September 2020, The number of T levels three T level subjects offered, and the places ‘technical’ will be offered offering them, qualifications by a small number will increase over being introduced of colleges the next few years in 2020

They are a two year, They are designed for level 3, courses those interested equivalent to in getting a job studying three A Levels See after they have finished www.tlevels.gov.uk and are a mixture the course – of classroom based but universities learning and 45 days will also accept them of work experience What is an NVQ : National Vocational Qualification

NVQs are qualifications about work and show that you can do a specific job You can do them in jobs such as: childcare, engineering, office work, construction Assessment is through and hairdressing practical tests and evidence that shows you can complete tasks competently and consistently Qualifications Here are some examples of qualifications at different levels – there are many others – check prospectuses for more information

LEVEL 3 A levels Minimum of four or five Usually 2 years GCSEs at grade 9 - 4 BTEC level 3 certificates and diplomas etc Level 3 Cambridge Technical certificates and diplomas etc T levels Level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship LEVEL 2 GCSE grades 9-4 Mostly GCSE grades Usually 1 year 9 - 3 BTEC level 2 certificates and diplomas etc Level 2 Cambridge Technical certificates and diplomas etc Level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship LEVEL 1 BTEC Level 1 awards, certificates and diplomas GCSE grades 2 and Usually 1 year below Entry levels 3, 2 and 1 awards, certificates and diplomas

Employers, sixth forms and colleges have different entry requirements - check before applying Deciding what’s right for you

• Research the careers you are interested and the subjects and qualifications you will need • What are your predicted grades – which level of course or apprenticeship do you need to look at? • Think about how you prefer to be assessed – ongoing through coursework (consider vocational qualifications) or by exams (consider A levels) • How do you prefer to learn? In a classroom – look at full-time study options. On the job – consider an apprenticeship • Check out what is offered locally and think about how far you are prepared to travel Need help making decisions and understanding the choices available? As your careers adviser I can help…. • I can help you make decisions about what options are right for you and give you information about your options locally • If you have any questions or would like some help now while we are not in school please get in touch. I am available in the following ways: Email [email protected] Phone 01484 242000 • During Year 11 I will see you for an individual careers appointment or in a group with other students. • If you would like to book an appointment, you can: come and see me, email me or write your name on the list on my door. • Also check out our website www.ckcareersonline.org.uk Remember…

• You can apply for more than one option • You must be in learning until your 18th birthday • Choose the option that is going to be right for YOU • Think about your long-term plans • Whichever option you choose you will have to continue to study English and maths if you do not get a grade 9-4 in the subject at GCSE • Help is available - ask if you are unsure about your plans or how to apply Careers room: in the Library Careers adviser is in school: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays.