YOUR FUTURE Choices for 16-19 Year Olds
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YOUR FUTURE Choices for 16-19 Year Olds Somerset Learning Guide for young people and their parents. For any feedback on this publication Options for education, work and training please email: [email protected] WWW.SOMERSET.GOV.UK This document is available at www.somersetchoices.org.uk SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE 1 Welcome We strongly believe that all This guide will help you to find out about the many young people in Somerset, learning opportunities available in Somerset for 16-19 regardless of ability or year olds (and 16 to 25 for SEND young people). background, should achieve You may have heard that the This guide will show you how their full potential. school leaving age has gone qualifications and apprenticeships up - this isn’t quite true; you are grow by level to help you choose We are determined that expected to stay in education the right path for you. It will or some recognised form of also help you to understand everyone has equal access employment or training until the different types of schools, to excellent education and you are 18, but it doesn’t have colleges and training providers choice, as well as being to be at school. and give you links to find out more information. safe, healthy, happy and When choosing your next steps, resilient when learning in whether to work for yourself We hope that this helps you Somerset. or someone else, it’s a good when you are thinking about idea to develop the skills that your future learning and career employers are looking for, such choices. With so much choice as positive attitude, team work available it is always a good skills, problem-solving abilities, idea to ask for fair advice and a hard work ethic and customer guidance from accredited career and communication skills. advisors and to check the quality of each organisation. As you gain this experience stay confident and manage your expectations. 2 SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE 3 How your qualifications grow To be clear... You can study full time or part time from 16. LEVEL 4 OR HIGHER Doctorate, Masters Degree, Bachelor Degree & You don’t have to stay at school until you gain grade Higher Apprenticeships, Foundation Degree C or above in GCSE English and maths. There are other routes available that will also LEVEL 3 A Level, AS Level, Advanced Apprenticeship, support you with your English and maths. Extended and other Diplomas at Level 3, NVQ Level 3, Foundation Diplomas and International Baccalaureate (IB) LEVEL 2 GCSE grades A* to C, Diplomas at Level 2, Intermediate Apprenticeship, Diplomas and other Level NVQ Level 2, ASDAN Level 2 3 qualifications can get you on to a university course or a LEVEL 1 Higher Apprenticeship and are GCSE* grades D to G, recognised by employers. NVQ Level 1, Traineeships Functional Skills Level 1, ASDAN Level 1, Foundation Studies LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4 OR HIGHER You can still apply for any level of apprenticeship even if you haven’t *In August 2017 it is likely that the GCSE grades for A*-G will be replaced by a 1- 9 number grading. It’s not too late to apply for a place in September got grade C’s in your GCSEs. and remember, Apprenticeships can be applied for at any time. There are higher level apprenticeships that you can study at university. Sixth Form is just one of many choices available to 16 year olds. It’s not too late to apply for a place in September. 4 SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE 5 Qualification Pathways Schools and Academies Age Level Qualification Pathway Description 8 Doctorate (PhD) Postgraduate study can take Usually from place full time or alongside There are lots of age 18 7 Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MPhil) employment, depending on what onwards suits each person’s circumstances. different types of 6 Bachelor Degree or Higher Apprenticeship Students can opt to go to university OR from 18 to take an undergraduate schools that you can 5 Foundation Degree / HND / HNC degree OR can follow an within Higher Apprenticeship apprenticeship route to the same 4 Foundation Diploma point - but with employment choose to study at alongside. Usually from 3 AS/A Extended & Advanced Some institutions offer AS level in Somerset and age 16 Level, IB, other Diplomas Apprenticeship subjects, but some only offer full onwards Foundation at Level 3 A levels. the South West Diploma Level 3 Extended Diplomas are equivalent to 3 A Levels. Diplomas are sometimes combined with A Levels. An Advanced Apprenticeship is Schools and Academies with Sixth Forms equivalent to 2 A levels. They cater for most students and offer a wide 2 Intermediate Intermediate Apprenticeships range of courses. Most offer A levels and Apprenticeship are equivalent to 5 good GCSEs. some will offer Level 2 and vocational options. 14 to 16, 2 GCSE Diplomas, Some students choose a mixture but can (Grade NVQs, of GCSE and Diploma courses in University Technical Colleges be beyond A* to C) ASDAN, Year 10 and 11. A BTEC Level 2 Functional Diploma is at the same level as a The curriculum is designed in partnership with Skills at GCSE. a university and combines GCSEs and A Levels Level 2, VCerts with specialist technical qualifications in sectors that are growing and looking for skilled staff. Age 16+ 1/2 Traineeship A Traineeship is an education and Employers take an active role, regularly mentoring training programme with work students and providing opportunities for work experience that helps to unlock the experience, and work on real-life projects. great potential of young people Days typically start at 8.30am and end at 5pm aged 16 to 24, preparing them for including time for homework. There are currently their future careers by helping UTC’s in the South West, but not yet in Somerset. them to become ‘work ready’. Usually 1 GCSE Diplomas, Some students will have difficulty Age 11 to (Grade NVQs, achieving grade C in all of their 16, but can D to G) ASDAN, courses* - but for them a grade D-G be beyond Functional at GCSE or a Level 1 Diploma Skills at is a true reflection of their level Level 1 of learning ability. *In August 2017 it is likely that the GCSE grades for A*-G will be replaced by a 1- 9 number grading. LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4 OR HIGHER 6 SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE 7 Schools & Academies Studio Schools Further Education Colleges Some colleges specialise with a Sixth form offer Studio Schools work closely with local employers to offer a while others offer a wider range of academic and vocational qualifications including a wide range of Offer a wide range of different courses. From GCSEs in English, Maths and Science, and paid work curriculum. Colleges offer courses that do not need any specific GCSE placements linked directly to employment opportunities in courses including: Grades (Foundation Studies) through to A Levels, a wide range of courses the local area, often with a specialism. They usually have a Apprenticeships, Degrees and Professional year-round opening (with some holidays) and a nine to five qualifications. including: • Most offer A levels working day, so feel more like a workplace than a school. • Some will offer AS levels Although most full time college courses are attended • GCSE or A levels by 16 – 19 year olds, you will find plenty of adults • Some will offer GCSEs Free Schools studying in a college on a range of short, part-time, • Vocational courses professional or higher education courses. • Apprenticeships and Traineeships • Most will offer English Free Schools set up before May 2015 were independent & maths GCSEs state-funded schools, but are not run by the local authority. • Courses that prepare people for Higher They have more control over how they do things. They are Education, such as Access Courses or • Some will offer Vocational set up by groups of parents, teachers, charities, existing the Art Foundation Course. Courses schools or other organisations to respond to a need for a new school in their community. To see if these schools • Vocational Higher Education courses, might be a good option for you look at their websites to such as Foundation Degrees, Higher see what they offer. National Diplomas (HNDs) Certificates Since May 2015 any new school can be called a Free (HNCs) and Degrees. LEVEL 1 School so you may need to check their status when • Foundation courses to develop maths, making contact. English, study skills, confidence and LEVEL 2 employability skills. They are designed to support progression into further LEVEL 3 study, work and adult life. LEVEL 4 These courses can give OR HIGHER students the chance to try out several different vocational areas. LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4 OR HIGHER 8 SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE SOMERSET LEARNING GUIDE 9 Training Providers Starting a career… LEVEL 1 Offer a range of different courses to all ability levels. Apprenticeships Higher & Degree Apprenticeships From those that do not need any GCSEs to professional LEVEL 2 (level 4 & above). qualifications and Higher Level Apprenticeships. Apprenticeships Most offer work-based training and Apprenticeships. Many LEVEL 3 You must be 16 or over to start specialise in training for certain careers. Some will also offer An Apprenticeship is a great way to build an apprenticeship and there are courses to develop young people’s employability skills, LEVEL 4 your career. You learn on the job, building up including Traineeships. knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and three levels you can study at: OR HIGHER earning money at the same time.