Pathways Your Choice, Your Future
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Your choice, your future Post-16pathways A message to all Year 11 students This is an important year for you. You will not It is now expected that all young people to only be taking your GCSE exams, but will also stay in education, training or some form of face the choice of what to do after school. work through to the age of 18. We are living through a difficult time, and We have put together this guide to give you all choices about the future may feel a challenge the information you need to make your choice right now. But please be assured that we want about your future. all young people in our community to be able Do you continue your education or training in a to make the progress they deserve. Lewisham sixth form or further education college? Or do has some fantastic places to study and work, you start on a vocational or career pathway? and we have included all of them in this guide. We hope that you will find this guide helpful as you consider your next steps. Councillor Chris Barnham Cabinet Member for School Performance www.lewisham.gov.uk/14to19 3 Qualification myth busters 1. I can only get into university if I do 4. Apprentices don’t get qualifications A-levels Wrong. The qualifications you get from It depends on the course. If you’re thinking apprenticeships go from level 2 to level 7. about going to university, most higher Each level is split into intermediate, education courses require specific A-levels (or advanced, higher and degree-level. That alternative level 3 qualifications). means that at the highest level, you could BTECs are an alternative to A-levels and give be earning a university degree through your you the relevant UCAS points to progress to apprenticeship. Which, don’t forget, you’re higher education. getting paid for. Some university courses do require A-levels for entry. 5. Doing an apprenticeship is not as good as going to university 2. A-levels are harder than BTECs Wrong. Actually, you can even do both. Look into ‘degree apprenticeships’, a new type Not true. BTECs are gaining popularity as an of apprenticeship that combine traditional alternative to A-levels, but they actually cover university study with on-the-job apprentice- a whole range of academic levels. style training, resulting in a bachelor’s or BTECs at levels 1 and 2 are equivalent to master’s degree equivalent at the end. GCSEs, and BTEC level 3 is equivalent to They’re like traditional apprenticeships, but A-level. the time you spend studying will be at a college or university. 3. BTECs won’t prepare you for university as much as A-levels Not true. Not true! Actually, the way BTECs are graded through coursework, portfolio and presentation make them quite similar to the studying you will do at university. Remember you can only apply for certain university courses with BTECs though, as some require A-levels for entry. 4 BrightYour choice, futures your applying future Post-16to start secondary pathways school this autumn Your questions answered 1. Does doing an NVQ shut the door on any 3. I’ve heard of A-levels, but what’s a future university dreams I might have? T-level? Working towards a recognised qualification Tech levels are two-year, level 3 qualifications like an NVQ can help you pursue higher that lead to a specific occupation. They’re education. So going to university at a later equivalent to A-levels. stage is an option. T-levels are available in a whole range of NVQs are great if you know what job you different areas from agriculture, horticulture would like to do. There are five NVQ levels: and animal care to retail, hospitality and you can start at A-level that suits you and commercial enterprise. work your way up. You can do NVQs in various See the back page for a list of useful subjects at all levels. You get the qualification websites. by completing units step by step. 2. What’s the difference between traineeships and apprenticeships? A traineeship is real work experience with training. These are designed to help young people aged 16 to 24 gain the skills and experience needed to secure an apprenticeship. Traineeships involve work preparation, work experience, maths and English. Unlike apprentices, trainees are not employed and can do the traineeship for six weeks or up to six months. www.lewisham.gov.uk/14to19 5 Post-16 education for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Coming to the end of year 11 can feel Different schools offer a range of courses from daunting. But it offers you new opportunities, A-levels to more vocational courses, such as as well as independence and freedom. BTECs. Many special schools also offer post-16 options. If you are thinking about what you would like to do in the future, you might want to talk to someone about your options. Your school has Further education colleges a designated person who can help you with Further education colleges offer courses for all choices and careers advice once you reach 16. abilities and interests. Post-16 education choices They also offer additional learning support and All young people are expected to stay in formal supported learning courses for young people education or training until their 18th birthday. aged 16-25 with additional needs, learning This doesn’t mean you have to stay at school. difficulties or disabilities. Other options may suit you better. These include: These include: ● IT and business skills Sixth forms ● pathways to independence You can choose to stay at your current school if it has a sixth form. Or you can apply for the ● preparation for working in areas such as sixth form at a different school, if it has the catering and horticulture. course and subjects you’re interested in. If you are thinking about changing schools, look at its website and attend the open day. You can make an informed decision if you see the school, meet the teachers and students, and see the facilities available. 6 Your choice, your future Post-16 pathways Apprenticeships Supported internships An apprenticeship is a great way to Supported internships can help young people experience work, earn a salary and get a with complex needs, and higher support needs, nationally recognised qualification. There are to access employment. apprenticeships in many subjects, including: You can get on-the-job training and the ● accountancy chance to become familiar with the workplace. ● engineering You need to have either an education, health and care plan or a current learning disability ● financial advice assessment to apply. ● veterinary nursing. Traineeships See the back page of this brochure for Traineeships are for young people who need useful websites with more information. extra support before they move on to an apprenticeship or employment. They offer: ● training to help prepare you for work ● English and maths for those who need it ● high-quality work experience opportunities. Programmes can last from six weeks up to six months. Up to 80% of the training takes place in a work-based setting. Baseline drop-in service Baseline provides support and advice for ● traineeship and apprenticeship advice young people aged 16–18 (or up to 25 ● careers advice and guidance with additional needs) who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). ● signposting to other providers, organisations and agencies Young people can get help with things like: ● getting into further education, Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm employment, training or volunteering Contact Monday to Wednesday: 07880 456 769 ● CV support and job applications Contact Thursday & Friday: 07880 439 879 Email: [email protected] www.lewisham.gov.uk/14to19 7 Which pathway is right for me? It can feel overwhelming deciding ● Where do I want to get to? What would what your next step is after year 11. I like to be doing in five years’ time? e.g. Job, living away from home, etc. A good place to start is to ask yourself: ● How will I get there? What course, training ● Where am I now? What qualifications, skills or future job is likely to get me to where I and interests do I have? want to go? What is my current Fewer than five GCSE Five or more GCSE passes passes at grade 4 or above level/ at grades 4 to 9 including or BTEC level 2. English or predicted English and maths grades? maths at grade 3 or below BTEC level 2 or 3 certificate, What A-levels, BTEC level 3 subsidiary diploma or education diploma or extended other vocational level 2 or training diploma. Other courses and maths and courses level 3 vocational course English (often one-year can I study? Advanced apprenticeship programme) What can Progress to university, Progress to A-level 3 I do after a higher (degree-level) course, an advanced I complete apprenticeship or apprenticeship the course? employment or employment 8 Bright futures applying to start secondary school this autumn Of course, at 16, you may not know the answers There will be specific entry requirements for to all these questions. But now is the time to individual subjects and courses. Some subjects start exploring information about careers, jobs have higher entry requirements than others. and courses. If you don’t get at least a grade 4 at GCSE in maths and English or level 2 functional skills, you TIP: Get advice from people who know you will need to continue studying those subjects. well (like parents and teachers) or ask your school careers adviser.