YEAR 11 Also known as the year of – the ‘reality check’ for getting ready to move on to the next step in your career pathway! THE BIG PICTURE Where do we want you to be at the end of your South Wigston journey? From here… …to here LESSONWhere OBJECTIVE do we go from here? The objective of this assembly is to: introduce you to the PS16 college application website

Preparedness Committing to doing well and having aspirational ambition

Resilience Practising until something is done properly

Integrity Listening carefully, with respect and empathy

Diversity Working positively, co-operatively and interdependently.

Enterprise Having a thirst for finding things out Some of our Staff Career Journeys

Fisherman Babysitter Waitress Shop Assistant

Journalist Telephone Sales Recruitment Manager Market stall trader

Current research suggests students will have between 5 – 7 career changes in their working life. The idea of having a job/career for life has gone. Artificial intelligence and automatization of certain industries and jobs will have significant impact on the job market and the need for updating and developing your skills base will be ongoing throughout your career. THE LAW SAYS… You have to stay in education or training until the end of the school year in which you turn 18. (2022) This means: - 6th Form - Further Education College - Apprenticeship - Employment with Training

• Lots of opportunities here for you, not just A levels, but NVQs, T-Levels and more besides. • Think about what you are good at, what you enjoy and if you have any ideas of what you might want to do. • But if you don’t know yet, don’t worry, you can still make plans without making commitments to a particular career path! QUALIFICATIONS & LEVELS Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 GCSE 3 – 1 GCSE 9 - 4 A Levels BTEC Introductory BTEC 1st Diploma BTEC Diploma Diploma BTEC Introductory Apprenticeships NVQ1 Diploma T Levels All of these qualifications can lead you to Higher Education & University if you want it. GRADES REQUIRED To do any Level 3 course you must have at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 – 4 including English & Maths. Some colleges will need grade 6 To study a subject at Level 3 you will generally need at least a grade 6

Like your GCSE exams, A Levels linear meaning that the assessment is at the end of the two year course. AS Levels are qualification on their own and no longer lead to A levels THE BIGGER PICTURE

Colleges/Employers look at more than your grades before offering a place. They want to know what kind of person you are and if you are the kind of student that they want….what can you offer? What does this mean for you? They will look at and ask questions about: Punctuality, Think! Attendance, Personal statement Attitude to learning, School reference Behaviour, Relationships with staff and peers What you do inside and outside of school CONSIDERING THE COURSES

Which level of course you can apply for will depend on your predicted grades. Think grade reports Staff will not change predicted grades just because you go and say please If your grades improve then it is possible to change grade information before the applications are sent. If you need a better grade in a particular subject, staff can (if asked in plenty of time) write a note when you go for your interview in March/April Your place will depend on your actual results – if they are significantly better (or worse) than predicted you can talk to colleges on Results Day. We are also be here to help. Applications to 3 colleges FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGES

College North Warwickshire South 6TH FORM COLLEGES WQE Gateway College Beauchamp City 6th Form College Colleges with 6th Form • • City of Leicester College • St Pauls • New College PS16

Unless you are moving out of the area or applying for a scholarship you will use this system You will all receive a login and password. You may change the password Get into the habit of checking regularly to see if you have messages and the status of your applications

All of these start with red crosses. They will all need to You can complete be green before these in any order making any but they must all be applications complete to make an application Most of this will be completed for you – Check it! This will be completed for you. If you have additional qualifications let Mrs Nicholson know.

By additional qualifications we mean, music exams or any other qualifications you have taken AND passed in or outside of school. Work experience is more than just the official one done with the school. It could be anything where you have worked as a part of a team, babysitting, volunteering at your local church/mosque. Out of the whole process, this takes the longest time, and the most of your effort – you need to get this right. Simply put, you include information about your hobbies, interests, skills, qualities, achievements. You are writing to a stranger, so your language should be formal As the title suggests, this is about religion and ethnicity. You have the choice not to specify that information – just read the choices carefully and make your selection. State your intended destination: full time education, apprenticeship, etc. Then move on to courses. Click and investigate the courses/ search results in greater depth.

Once you have found an option you like – click ‘Add to favourites’ Once you made your choices and your profile is complete you can make applications

Once you have chosen 1 course all other colleges will be greyed out Choose your order of preference of courses

This can be changed for each application so make it specific to that college Check Check Check Choose the preference Each section can be of your application edited here Tick the boxes Press Send ALL YOU HAVE TO DO:  Visit Colleges

 Consider & choose courses

 Complete Personal Profile

 Write the reasons for your choices

 Make applications

BEFORE Thursday 16th DECEMBER WHO CAN HELP? COLLEGE STAFF PARENTS/CARERS RELATIVES FORM TUTORS SUBJECT TEACHERS CAREERS ADVISORS FRIENDS