Welcome to the Year 11 Post 16 Information Evening The Careers Team

Mr Lewis Muir Objective for this evening: Careers Coordinator/Lead  The option choices for year 11 students  THE APPLICATION PROCESS ( Choices)  FURTHER INFORMATION & SUPPORT (Kent Choices)  Introduction to a selection of educational providers Mrs Juliet Parsons Careers Advisor How you can get in contact? Phone: 01622 752490 Email: [email protected] Ms Val Thomas Tonight you will be able to go and visit some of the Work Exp Coordinator Post 16 offers and other that are available. RAISING PARTICIPATION AGE The Government expects all young people to stay in some form of training or education until their 18th birthday……..

RATIONALE: Range and Level of qualifications = Greater Choice and improved Prospects for future Career and income. Ability to compete in an every increasing competitive world. GRADES & LEVELS ABILITY AND GRADES WILL AFFECT WHAT YOU CAN STUDY BUT, THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

All Year 11 students should be aiming for minimum Five GCSEs 4-9 grades including Maths and English Expected Progression Route: Progressing to Level 3

Study at a School 6th Form / Further Education college to complete A Levels/Vocational Level 3 programme (e.g. BTEC qualifications). Entry: Most 6th Forms/Colleges will require a minimum of 5 GCSE passes (grade 4 or above including Maths and English) . Most 6th Forms will expect at least grade 6 in any subject you wish to take further whilst Grammar schools will be looking for a minimum of 6 GCSE passes overall including Maths & English with at least 4 of these being a minimum of grade 6.

Complete an Advanced Apprenticeship in a career area of interest. Entry: 5 GCSE passes (grade 4 or above to include Maths and English) Work or volunteering (20 hours or more a week) alongside part time education/training which leads to an accredited qualification. If you do not attain a minimum of five GCSE s (grades 4-9) including Maths and English:

Continue at Level 2 before you can progress to Level 3:

 Study a Level 2 vocational programme at a college where you will need to additionally work towards attaining grade 4 requirements in Maths and English.  Complete an Intermediate Apprenticeship in a career area of interest with additional work in Maths and English to gain grade 4 requirements.  Work or volunteering (20 hours or more per week)alongside part time education/training which leads to an accredited qualification.

IMPORTANT: Without Maths and English at grade 4 you will not be able to progress to a Level 3 course. There are some college courses which offer Level 1 programmes for those with low GCSE grades and Traineeships for those not ready to access a full apprenticeship but there is not much choice in the career areas available and you will still need to work on your Maths and English.

Please Note: Some courses will start students on Level 2 regardless of the grades achieved due to the nature of the course, e.g. Plumbing, Beauty Therapy but grades will still be needed to allow the student to progress to Level 3 after the first year. A-LEVELS:  Academic focus  Majority being exam based  Grammar 6th Forms– 3 or 4 A Level subjects  Non – Selective School 6th Forms – 3 A Levels  Variety of subjects – keep career options open for longer.

CAUTION: Some careers/University courses do require certain A Level subjects: Research carefully! BTEC & VOCATIONAL  Mainly focused on one career area (normally college but some 6th Forms). Coursework and modular based – no big exam. Lots of work experience and learning related to the job area of interest. Comparable Equivalents:  Certificate – AS level  Subsidiary – 1 A Level  National – 2 A Levels  Extended -3 A Levels. Therefore a BTEC Extended Diploma can lead onto a degree course at University in a related subject field. IBCP INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE CAREERS PROGRAMME

Relatively new but growing in popularity – school 6th Forms. Combines academic and vocational qualifications but also encourages and develops crucial skills such as confidence, self awareness, international mindedness and a passion for learning. How it works:  Students will study a nationally recognised career-related qualification (for e.g. BTEC) in subjects such as:  Applied Science, Digital Technology, Engineering, Finance,  Health and Social Care, Performing Arts and Sport.  Student then will study two academic subjects alongside – choices will vary between schools.  Student will also complete ‘the core’ compulsory programme which is made up of 4 parts and acts as the ‘glue’ for the qualification. Educational Establishments  College-vocational based (e.g. Hairdressing, Art and Design, Construction, Mechanics, Health & Social Care…). Variety of Levels. Only some colleges offer A levels. Most local colleges – Mid – (2 campuses – and Medway), Hadlow College, Canterbury College, West Kent College and UCCA.  6th Form – mostly A Levels but also some vocational courses offered or the new IBCP– you will need to research as subjects and syllabuses will vary between schools. School, , Invicta Grammar, MGS, MGGS, Malling, Maplesden Noakes, Oakwood Park, St Simon Stock and Valley Park. Apprenticeships

 Work-based option. Gain Level 2 and/or Level 3 qualifications in a specific vocational area whilst being paid.  Attend a college or training provision centre for 1 or 2 days a week.  The majority of your learning will take place in the workplace and you will normally have a mentor.  National Apprenticeship Website:  www.apprenticeships.org.uk  Local:  www.apprenticekent.com Applying for 6th Forms, Colleges and Apprenticeships in Kent

www.kentchoices.com

KentChoices also has an online prospectus for Kent 6th forms and colleges. Here you can:- • Search for courses by provider, sector or qualification • View full course details, entry requirements, location etc • Add courses you are interested in to your ‘favourites’ • Apply for courses all in one place (you only need to complete one application) • Accept offers You can apply for as many options as you wish – you do not need to decide until nearer the time which one to accept. (We recommend that you have at least two options, these can be a mixture of school, college or training) Action:  Attend open evenings for colleges and sixth forms. October/November - www.kentchoices.com or individual provider websites and school noticeboard for dates.  As soon as students receive login details they can log on to the Kent Choices Online Prospectus and complete their profile ready to send out to 6th Forms/Colleges. Applications ideally should be made end of Autumn term/early January 2020 (particularly relevant if applying to 6th Forms – check closing dates)  Students should speak to parents, teachers, myself about plans and to gain insight into skills and talents.  Students should carry out research into careers of interest  Look on school notice board, visit Career Hub for information on useful websites for careers research, open evening dates/general career updates. Finally!  Please do visit the various educational providers we have with us tonight.  There is a handout/step by step guide designed to support your Year 11 through making an online application through Kent Choices.  Students will also receive a training session in school on how to navigate around Kent Choices after half term. Educational Providers  6th Forms Maplesden Noakes School, St Simon Stock School, Oakwood Park , Aylesford School.  Colleges Mid Kent College, West Kent College and Hadlow College.  Apprenticeship Providers GP Strategies, KATO, K Sports and Catch 22  National Citizen Service  And many other businesses, employers and educational providers…