London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham | Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Westminster City Council Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1. APPLYING TO 6TH FORM OR COLLEGE ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2 2. APPLYING FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP OR TRAINEESHIP .................................................................................................................................. 4 3. EMPLOYMENT WITH PART-TIME EDUCATION OR TRAINING .......................................................................................................................... 5 4. SUPPORTED INTERNSHIP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SEND .......................................................................................................................... 5 5. LINKS TO 14-19 WEBSITES .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 5.1. LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 5.2. ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA............................................................................................................................................................... 6 5.3. WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 6. UNIVERSITY TECHNICAL COLLEGES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 8 7. STUDIO SCHOOLS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 8. 16 – 19 BURSARY ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 9. A LEVEL AND VOCATIONAL OPTIONS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15 9.1. HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 9.2. KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA: A LEVEL AND VOCATIONAL OPTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 18 9.3. WESTMINSTER ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham | Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Westminster City Council Introduction This booklet has been produced by School Admissions to provide students with general admission guidance in preparation for applying to school 6th forms, colleges and University Technical Colleges (UTCs). This guide also provides an overview of study programmes and vocational training available to 14-19 year olds in Hammersmith & Fulham, RB Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster and regional UTCs in London. Students should always refer to each school, college or UTC prospectus for entry requirements. All young people in England and Wales are required to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday. Applying for a post 16 place of study is a competitive process There are three options available to young adults: full-time education at a school or college apprenticeship or traineeship Click Here to Register part-time education or training - whilst being employed, self-employed or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week as well as: supported internships for students with Special Educational Needs There is no central local authority administration process for Y12 admissions All applicants should apply directly to their preferred schools, colleges and UTCs London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham | Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Westminster City Council 1. Applying to 6th Form or College Each 6th form and FE college will set its own entry requirements for post 16 studies. You should check in advance what are the entry requirements for your preferred schools or colleges. If your intention is to study A levels (L3), you should expect to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs including English and maths at G9 (grade 9) to G5 (grade 5) or A* - C. For vocational study programmes entry requirements will depend on the level of study. In either case, please refer to the 6th form or FE college for their published entry requirements. Achieving high GCSE grades opens a wider choice of options to continue your education or training. Some subjects are harder than others and will require higher grades. For A level maths you should expect to achieve a minimum grade B or G7/G6 at GCSE. For sciences expect to attain grade B or G7/G6 in the science as well as maths. Students already on roll in Y11 and wishing to continue into Y12 must apply for a 6th form (post 16) place at their attending school and meet the necessary entry requirements School 6th forms will usually offer places to Y11 students already enrolled at the school before external applicants. This means that occasionally only a limited number of places will be available to external candidates. Check well in advance what are the entry requirements for your preferred choice of post 16 study or training Contact your preferred schools or colleges for further information and how to apply London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham | Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Westminster City Council The following table shows the old A* to G grades converted into the new GCSE 1 to 9 grades. GCSE grades required to gain entry at A level grades will vary depending on the each 6th Form, college or UTC entry requirements. New Equivalent Anticipated GCSE entry grades GCSE grade GCSE grade for post 16 study in Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster G9 G8 A* G7 A minimum entry grades for A level vocational study G6 B maths or science subjects minimum entry grades for A level programmes G5 C* Strong Pass subjects other than maths or science entry G4 C Pass requirements will G3 D depend on the G2 E/F level of study G1 G U U G4 is the standard pass grade at GCSE. However, some providers may set entry level grades for study at G5 or higher. Please ensure you confirm with your preferred post 16 provider their expected entry grades for A level courses and vocational study. London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham | Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Westminster City Council 2. Applying for an Apprenticeship or Traineeship Apprenticeship Schemes Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. Successful candidates will benefit from working alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills whilst studying towards a related qualification and earning a wage. You can apply for an apprenticeship while still at school. The scheme is open to young people aged 16 and over who live in England and are not in full-time education. Name Level Equivalent educational level 5 GCSE pass grades at Intermediate 2 A* - C or G9 - G5 Advanced 3 2 A level passes Higher 4,5,6,7 Foundation degree and above Degree 6,7 Bachelor’s or Master’s degree Apprenticeships can take between 12 months and 4 years to complete depending on the level of study and will hold an equivalent educational level. For more details, please use the link access to the Gov.UK Apprenticeship webpage. Traineeship Schemes A traineeship is a course which can last up to 6 months and includes work experience. Traineeships are designed to prepare young people aged between 16 to 24 for employment or an apprenticeship. Where necessary a traineeship will provide assistance with English and maths. Work experience through a traineeship is not paid although reimbursement for things like travel and meals may be offered. For more details, please use the following link to the Gov.UK Traineeship webpage. London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham | Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Westminster City Council 3. Employment with Part-Time Education or Training As an alternative to full-time education or an apprenticeship, young adults must spend at least 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training until they reach age 18. They can combine training or studying for a qualification with employment or volunteer on projects, with a charity, or work-experience placement in a career or job area that interests. Colleges and training providers offer a wide range of training courses that are part-time, including A levels and work- related qualifications like BTECs or NVQs. Please speak to your preferred