This HT blog has been written by our careers lead, Mrs Anna Ford.
It’s a busy time for our Y11 students, they have just completed their trial exams and are busy considering their Post 16 options. The school deadline for applying to courses on Sheffield Progress, the city’s online prospectus and application system for young people to apply to school sixth forms, colleges and training providers is Tuesday December 17 th when our KS4 team will review application and of course offer more help to students.
What could post 16 look like for our Y11s? There are a variety of pathways students can opt for, from A-levels at a Sixth Form, vocational full-time courses at a further education college, and apprenticeship where you ‘earn while you learn’.
Here are 3 common post 16 pathways:
A-levels and other Level 3 courses at Sixth Form (Y12 and Y13).
If you enjoy studying academic subjects in a classroom setting and do well in exams this may be a good choice. It is a good route to university and some degree courses will only accept A-level qualifications, so if you aspire to go onto Higher Education (e.g. degrees) and know what subject you may like to study please do have a look at entry requirements on the UCAS website. This will also inform you about what subject combinations would be good. Of course, it is also a good idea to choose subjects you will enjoy and do well in. A-levels are a big step up from GCSEs, so you need to be willing to work hard, and enjoying the subject
certainly makes this easier!
We are very proud of our offer at High Storrs Sixth Form, you will be stretched and challenged in a nurturing and supportive environment. You will be supported by Mrs. Newell, Director of Sixth Form, your head of year, Student Support Assistants, your form tutor and lots of other staff. We all work closely with parents/carers to support our students.
Classes are taught in smaller groups by specialist teachers, and you will study 15-20 hours per week during the school day. Within your timetable you will have a tutorial lesson also have between 4 and 9 study periods, which start in school and, after we are confident you have developed very strong learning habits to help you study independently, you can take these study period at home.
There are entry requirements to get into any sixth form. For example, at High Storrs, we ask for a grade 9-4 in Maths and English, because we do not offer English or Maths GCSE resits.
We also have entry requirements specific to each subject, so do please check the entry requirements before applying.
Studying at Further Education (FE) Colleges
FE Colleges, such as Sheffield College, offer a huge variety of post 16 study in academic pathways, such as A-levels, and vocational courses, such as BTECs which are work related qualifications. You might prefer a vocational course if you prefer practical learning, and you have in mind a career pathway or practical subject area you really enjoy. For example, BTEC routes at Sheffield College include ‘Construction’, ‘Hair and Beauty’ and ‘Land Based’.
There will be classroom-based lessons, but much of the course is practical, for example, taught in the college workshops or salon where you will have hands on specialist tuition by tutors who have worked in the profession. On some courses you will also be expected to do work experience placements. FE College offers post 16 courses from Entry level (pre-GCSE) up to Level 3 (the equivalent of 3 a-levels), so if you have grade 3-1 in maths and English or other GCSEs, you can continue to study at the level right for you and build up your qualifications. For example, if you love cooking and do not have the GCSE grades to study
Level 3 Food, you could start a Catering and Hospitality course at Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2 and progress through the levels at a pace that is right for you. If needed, college also offer Maths and English GCSE resits.
Many students enjoy the change. Staff are called by their first names and although college days may be longer; you may have whole days off in the week. Remember though, just like Sixth Form, registers are taken, and you will be expected to attend every lesson and have great behaviour, because college is also focused on enabling your success. FE colleges also have tutors and pastoral system in place where named staff will work with you, your parents and carers to give you great support.
Apprenticeships
This is where you do a full-time job, with pay (at least the National Minimum Wage for apprenticeships) and employee benefits such as paid holidays. The apprenticeship route is often referred to as ‘earn while you learn’. 80% of your time will be in work and you will attend a college, university or a training provider to gain a qualification 20% of the time. You may attend training one day a week, but it can also be completed in your workplace.
Remember an apprenticeship is a job and you will be expected to behave as an employee. Timekeeping, reliability and showing responsibility are very important if you choose this route.
You can do an apprenticeship straight from Y11at Intermediate (entry = no set requirements) or Advanced level (entry = 4 GCSEs grade 9-4), and you can progress post 18 to Higher (Entry= A-levels/Level 3 qualification) to degree level. Apprenticeships really can be a great way to start a career. Many successful professions, such as the architect George Clarke and chef Jamie Oliver started as apprentices.
Apprenticeships are jobs and are advertised on the government, college and company websites so search for ‘NHS apprenticeships’ or ‘gov apprenticeships’ etc. It’s important to know that like a job, you need to apply for an apprenticeship and go through a recruitment process; simply by registering interest at a college you are not guaranteed a job.
Please do look at Parent Zone – Amazing Apprenticeships https://amazingapprenticeships.com/parent-zone/ for more information.
And also https://www.talkingfutures.org.uk/pathways/
As ever, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if we can provide any further support around
post-16 plans and beyond! careersadmin@highstorrs-mlt.co.uk