Post-16 Options Handbook

POST-16 OPTIONS HANDBOOK

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AFTER YEAR 11?

T-LEVEL BTEC

A BTEC is a vocational qualification. This means it is related to a particular job or career sector.

A T-Level is also related to a particular career sector. They include an industry work experience placement that lasts at least 45 days.

A-LEVELS

A-Levels are academic, advanced qualifications that provide in-depth expertise on a certain subject.

APPRENTICESHIP

An Apprenticeship can be summarised as ‘earning while you're learning’. An Apprenticeship is a form of paid employment that also leads to a qualification related to the job you are doing.

NO EXAMS

BTECs are coursework focused which means that, depending on your course; you won’t have to do many or any examinations to get your qualifications.

TRY AGAIN!

Unlike A-levels where a large chunk of your final grade is assessed by the exam, BTECs allow you to resubmit a piece of coursework so that you can get the best possible grade.

PROGRESSION TO UNI

BTECs can be an excellent way to progress into university and nowadays the majority of universities accept BTECs, including those in the Russell Group.

CAREER FOCUSED

BTEC's can give you a range of employability skills. It is possible to walk straight into a job after finishing college, especially if you have applied to the industry your BTEC is focused on.

EMPLOYER VALUED

As they are career-focused, it is also statistically shown that employers value them too. This is mainly due to the fact that they provide real-world skills.

BTEC LEVELS

YOU CAN APPLY AT ANY LEVEL, EACH LEVEL WILL HAVE DIFFERENT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

LVL 1

An entry level qualification that is equivalent to GCSE studies. This is an introductory course.

lvl 2

Also equivalent to GCSE's but a more in-depth and detailed course compared to level 1.

LVL 3

A further education qualification that is the equivalent to two/three A Levels. This qualification prepares you for higher education or training.

T-LEVEL

WORK EXPERIENCE

Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. You'll gain valuable experience to put on your CV.

80% CLASSROOM TIME

T Level students spend 80% of the course in the classroom, so you still get to experience the sixth form and/or college lifestyle.

ONE SUBJECT

Instead of studying 3 different subjects at A-level, you only study one subject at T-level. This way you can devote all of your attention to one subject.

BECOME SKILLED

Studying a T-level allows you to become highly skilled in a particular field / industry. Employers in the UK are in need of skilled, ready-to-work individuals.

PROGRESSION TO UNI

Your T Level will be worth UCAS points and will be recognised by universities and other education providers so you can choose to continue studying if you wish.

A-LEVELS

PROGRESSION TO UNI

A Levels provide a clear pathway to university education. The grades achieved in A Level exams are often used by universities as a key factor in their admission decisions.

LOTS OF CHOICE

The range of subjects available at A-level is wide and varied, meaning that you can choose subjects that align with your interests and career aspirations.

GO ABROAD

‘A’ level is a ‘gold standard’ qualification. They are internationally recognised and offer the flexibility of going abroad to study afterwards.

MORE THAN ONE

You can study 3-5 A-levels, this allows you to tailor your studies to your individual strengths and interests. This is also perfect for those who can't decide on one particular subject.

IN DEPTH STUDY

A-levels are advanced qualifications that explore a subject in great detail. This is perfect for you if you want to become a subject expert.

WHERE CAN I STUDY?

LOCAL POST-16 EDUCATION PROVIDERS

A-LEVELS

B-Six

Capital City College Group

Cardinal Pole

City of London, Shoreditch

Clapton Girls'

Haggerston

Mossbourne

New City College

Our Lady's

Sir George Monoux

Skinners

Stoke Newington

The Bridge

The City Academy

The Petchey Academy

The Urswick School

SEND SCHOOLS

Ickburgh School

Stormont House School

The Garden School

BTEC'S B-Six

Capital City College Group

Cardinal Pole

Clapton Girls'

Haggerston

New City College

Our Lady's

Sir George Monoux

Skinners

Stoke Newington

The Bridge

The City Academy

The Petchey Academy

The Urswick School

T-LEVELS

ADA National College for Digital Skills

B-Six

Barnet Southgate College

Capel Manor College

Central Training Academy ltd

Mulberry UTC

The London Screen Academy

Westminister Kingsway College

THE PETCHEY ACADEMY SIXTH FORM

At The Petchey Academy Sixth Form our aim is to develop independent, competitive and accomplished learners, who are well prepared for success in whichever career pathway they decide to follow, and who contribute positively to the community of Dalston, Hackney and beyond.We are committed to supporting all students to be fulfilled, happy and healthy, both in body and in mind.

Reasons

to JOIN PETCHEY

Key Events:

-Sixth Form study pack

-Higher educational visits

-Career development

-Academic mentoring

-Exclusive study space

-Exam skills workshops

-Exclusive study space

-Onsite Cafe

-Extra-curricular activities

TPA Sixth Form open evening

A-Levels - 8 GCSEs grade 5+ including Maths and EnglishSpecific subject criteria (grade 6 and/or above Further Maths grade 7)

TPA Sixth FORM INTERVIEWS

TPA Sixth Form

-Free gym membership

-TPA alumni

-Qualified staff

Taster Day

BTEC - 6 GCSEs grade 5+ including Maths and English

-A-space

CRITERIACHECKLIST

CHOOSING A SIXTH FORM / COLLEGE

DO THEY OFFER THE COURSE(S) I AM INTERESTED IN?

ARE MY PREDICTED GRADES IN LINE WITH THEIR ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

HAVE I ATTENDED AN OPEN DAY AND SEEN THE COLLEGE IN PERSON?

AM I WILLING TO TRAVEL THE DISTANCE?

WHAT DO CURRENT STUDENTS SAY? REVIEWS ETC.

WHAT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE I.E. GYM?

DO THEY HAVE A HIGH-QUALITY CAREERS PROGRAMME WITH GOOD EMPLOYER LINKS?

WHAT EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMES ARE ON OFFER I.E. DUKE OF EDINBURGH?

TIMELINE GETTING THINGS DONE ON TIME!

Research local sixth forms & colleges, as well as your preferred pathway.

CHOICES

Using your research, narrow down your choices to at least three sixth forms & colleges.

2

Sixth forms & colleges will have different application deadlines, check this on their websites.

JAN - MAR - INTERVIEWS

You may be called to do an interview. Refer back to your research. Practise makes perfect!

4

By July you should have received offers from sixth forms & colleges. These may require you to achieve certain grades in your exams.

AUGUST - ENROLMENT

Congratulations on your results! You will either have to send your results to your sixth form / college via email or bring them in in person.

6

5

APPRENTICESHIP

START EARNING £

Unlike all of the other pathways, apprenticeships are the only option that guarantee you a paid salary / wage. If you're ready to start earning money, an apprenticeship is a perfect route.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Apprentices spend the majority of their week in the workplace learning practical skills. This means you'll gain valuable experience to put on your CV.

STILL AT COLLEGE

Apprentices typically spend one day a week in the classroom, so you still get to experience the college lifestyle.

NO DEBT

After completing your level 3 or 4 apprenticeship, you could progress onto a level 6 or 7 degree apprenticeship. Your employer will cover your university fees, leaving you debt free!

BECOME SKILLED

An apprenticeship allows you to become highly skilled in a particular field / industry. Employers in the UK are in need of skilled, ready-to-work individuals.

CHECKLIST

APPLYING TO APPRENTICESHIPS

I HAVE READ THE TPA APPRENTICESHIP HANDBOOK

I HAVE USED VARIOUS WEBSITES TO FIND A RANGE OF ROLES THAT SUIT MY INTERESTS

FOR EACH ROLE I AM INTERESTED IN, I HAVE RESEARCHED THE COMPANY IN DETAIL

I HAVE FULLY READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

I HAVE PRODUCED A HIGH QUALITY CV AND COVER LETTER TO SUPPORT MY APPLICATIONS

I KEEP TRACK OF ALL APPLICATIONS USING THE APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATION TRACKER

I HAVE RIGHT TO WORK DOCUMENTS I.E. NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER & PASSPORT

I HAVE CONFIRMED INTERVIEW DETAILS SUCH AS LOCATION, DRESS CODE AND TIMINGS

1

SUPPORTED INTERNSHIPS

Supported internships are a work-based study programme for young people aged 16 to 24 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Supported internships equip young people with the skills they need to secure and sustain employment through learning in the workplace, with support from a qualified job coach. They last between 6 to 12 months.

Young people are enrolled with and are supported by a learning provider, but spend most of their learning time – typically around 70% in the workplace.

HACKNEY SUPPORTED INTERNSHIPS

HACKNEY COUNCIL

This Project Search Hackney Council Supported Internship lasts 10 months September through to July with breaks for half-term. It runs from 9am to 3:30pm daily. Each intern will take part in 3 different placements across the council

HOMERTON HOSPITAL

This Project Search Homerton Hospital Supported Internship lasts 10 months September through to July with breaks for half-term. It runs from 9am to 3:30pm daily. Each intern will take part in 3 different placements across the hospital.

ELLINGHAM

Ellingham - Supported Internships for young people in Hackney lasts 1 year. The programme has a flexible structure, dependent on individual need. Typically in terms spend 4 months in pre-employment training, 6 months on a bespoke work placement with local employer, followed by 2 months support to gain paid employment following the programme.

OTHER SUPPORTED INTERNSHIPS