Post 16 Options
There are a variety of pathways available to students when they leave Walton-le-Dale, briefly these are –
A Levels
'A-levels are the traditional qualifications that are offered by schools colleges for students aged between 16 and 19. Short for Advanced Level, A-levels come after GCSEs. They usually focus on academic subjects, compared to vocational qualifications like BTECs and NVQs, which are more practical. There are more than 40 different A-level subjects on offer – some will be subjects that you studied at GCSE and others may be new. A-levels are highly valued by employers and universities so they can open up lots of doors to further study and careers.’
https://successatschool.org/advicedetails/546/what-are-a-levels (2020)
Vocational Qualifications
‘Vocational qualifications are practical qualifications that relate to a specific job or career sector. Unlike more academic courses like A-levels, they combine a mix of theory and practical learning and you’ll probably do some work experience too. There’s a huge range of different courses that you can do, and many types of qualifications you can get, from entry level to advanced. The length of the course depends on what level you study at.’
https://successatschool.org/advicedetails/545/What-are-vocational-qualifications%3F (2020)
T-Levels
‘T Levels are a two-year qualification... T Level students spend 80% of the course in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where students put these skills into action. T Levels are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent to 3 A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.’
https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/?gclid=CJT6yO2m_ucCFdWChQodd2QPbQ (2020)
Apprenticeships
‘Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you’ll:
• work alongside experienced staff
• gain job-specific skills
• earn a wage and get holiday pay
• get time for study related to your role (usually one day a week)
Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.’
https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide (2020)
How to decide
It can be a daunting task deciding on their post 16 education and the various pathways can make this more difficult and confusing. However, whether you know what you want to study at College or University, you have a specific career path in mind or no idea what you want to do in the world of work, there is plenty of support out there to help you make the right decision for you and your future. If you are struggling please do speak to your teacher or Careers Advisor to ensure you receive the correct impartial information relating to your personal situation. In Year 11 all students will have a one to one guidance appointment to discuss their options and a copy of this will be accessible for the students and parents/ carers on their Start profile.
Helpful Websites for students and parents/carers–
- https://login.startprofile.com
- https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/your-choices-at-16/help-with-choosing-your-post-16-options
- https://www.whatcareerlive.co.uk/advice/so-what-are-your-post-16-options
- https://www.ucas.com/further-education/post-16-finance-and-support/parents-and-carers
- https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/parent-zone/all-questions/what-are-the-choices-for-my-child-at-16?/parent/info/what-are-the-choices-for-my-chil/&topic=5976
- http://russellgroup.ac.uk/about/our-universities/ (Please note that choices of Post 16 options will vary between departments at colleges and universities, so please use this as an overall guide. The best way is to contact the specific Admission Teams for the subject you are interested in applying)
A parent/carer fact sheet on apprenticeships is available at
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/711088/Parent-Guide-Apprenticeships.pdf
- https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
- https://amazingapprenticeships.com/vacancies
There is a very informative careers magazine online at https://careermap.co.uk/careermag-parents/
Post 16 Providers
Students can often struggle knowing which College or Training provider to choose for their Post 16 education and many factors need to be taken in to consideration to make this decision. To help you make the best choice for yourself we advise that you attend open events to experience the establishment for yourself and speak to tutors and students currently studying there and ideally those on your preferred course. These events can also give you the chance to explore the options available to you but maybe see something you hadn’t even considered.
Open Events 2019 – 2020
(Correct at time of writing, please check specific providers’ website)
Cardinal Newman College https://www.cardinalnewman.ac.uk/
Contact the College directly
Runshaw College https://www.runshaw.ac.uk/
Contact the College directly
Preston College https://www.preston.ac.uk/
Wednesday 11th March 2020 4pm -7:30pm
Hutton Grammar Sixth Form https://www.huttongrammar.org/sixth-form/
Contact the Sixth Form directly
Myerscough College https://www.myerscough.ac.uk/
Saturday 25th April 2020 9:45am – 12:30pm
Sunday 7th June 2020
Blackburn College https://www.blackburn.ac.uk/
Wednesday 17th June 2020 4:30pm - 8pm
St Marys College https://www.stmarysblackburn.ac.uk/
Contact the College directly
North Lancs Training https://www.nltg.co.uk/age-16-18/
Contact provider directly
Training 2000 https://www.training2000.co.uk/
Contact provider directly
Accrington and Rossendale College https://www.accross.ac.uk/
Yr 10 and 11 Monday 23rd March 2020 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Yr 8, 9 and 10 Wednesday 6th May 2020 5:30pm – 7:30pm
St Christopher’s Sixth Form https://www.st-christophers.org/sixth
Contact provider directly
Burnley College https://www.burnley.ac.uk/
Yr 8, 9 and 10 Thursday 7th May 2020 5.30pm-8.00pm
Employer Post 16 Opportunities
If there is a specific employer or sector you would like to work in in the future then look on their websites for their opportunities such as apprenticeships, work experience, training programmes, graduate schemes and live vacancies. Get in touch with them directly, you have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain.
Examples include-
BAE Systems: https://www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk/early-careers
Mercedes Benz: https://careers.mercedes-benz.co.uk/early-careers/
Leyland Truck: https://www.leylandtrucksltd.co.uk/en-gb/working-at-leyland-trucks/vacancies
TechFuture Careers: https://www.tpdegrees.com/careers/
The Chartered Institute for I.T: https://www.bcs.org/content-hub/
Local Government Jobs: www.lgcnet.com
Academic Careers Vacancies: www.academiccareers.com
Appointments for Teachers: www.eteach.com
Appointments for Teachers: www.tes.co.uk
Healthcare Jobs: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/
British Veterinary Association: www.bva.co.uk
R.S.P.C.A.: www.rspca.org.uk
Institute of Plumbing: www.ciphe.org.uk
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board: www.ecitb.org.uk
Institute of Civil Engineers: www.ice.org.uk/homepage/index.asp
Sport England: https://www.sportengland.org/careers
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: https://www.csp.org.uk/
Social Work: https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/
https://www.basw.co.uk/resources/become-social-worker
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Careers-in-care/Starting-your-career/Starting-your-career.aspx
Lancashire Police: https://www.lancashire.police.uk/join-us/
Association of Certified Chartered Accountants: https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en.html
Applications and Interviews
We know some of the best opportunities are competitive and therefore the application processes can be very challenging. However to have a better chance of being successful through their initial application stage and interview process you should do all you can to prepare. Use the support available to you in and out of school to ensure you are putting yourself in the best possible position not only at interviews but through the initial written application. For more support and advice speak to Miss Royal in the Careers Office, remember for some of these applications you will only get one chance and to make it count do not rush it and research.
Information on the different types of interviews and advice and support –
https://login.startprofile.com
https://www.skills2use.com/get-the-app/
