Careers Guide 2023-2024

The

Birkenhead Park School

Careers Guide for Year 11 students College Apprenticeships Jobs

Everything you need to know about your options at the end of Year 11.

Introduction Leaving The Birkenhead Park School at the end of Year 11 begins an exciting new chapter in your life and education choices.

It is now time for you to apply for college courses, apprenticeships or other opportunities after GCSEs. This guide will help you think about those all important decisions.

Think about the courses and subjects that you enjoy and would really like to know more about.

Think about the job you would like in the future and map your route to gaining that job.

Ask for help and support; we are here for you.

Be ambitious and aspirational because all options are open to you!

Next Steps Whether you are thinking about Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral Met, other colleges, apprenticeships or on-thejob training, the time to apply has arrived!

Please apply for two options by the end of November and make the most of the opportunities available to you.

Ambition

AND EXCELLENCE FOR ALL

Where do I start?

Once you have finished your GCSEs, there are several different options available to you:

Go to sixth form or a college: At a College you can take a wide variety of A Levels and/or vocational qualifications such as BTECs and T Levels.

A Levels: A Levels, the most common choice, cover a wide range of academic subjects from Psychology to Sociology and English to Biology. Similar to GCSEs, you learn in the classroom, may have coursework and will have exams at the end of the year. The subjects are covered in more detail and depth than GCSEs. Students usually take three subjects and they take two years to complete.

A Levels are a good choice if you’d like to go to university. They are also a good option if you don’t know what you’d like to do for a career yet because they are less specialised than vocational qualifications and can be applied to lots of different jobs.

BTECs: Sixth forms and colleges offer vocational qualifications too, known as Applied General Qualifications. Basically half-way between A Levels and apprenticeships, these qualifications are related to a particular area of employment and are more hands-on than A Levels. They would suit you if you have an interest in a specific job area already.

They also take two years to complete and can often be taken alongside a choice of A Levels. After completion, students typically go to university or start an apprenticeship.

Assessment is more varied than A Levels as well: you might be assessed by observation, role-play, assignments or tests. The most recognised type of this kind of qualification is called a BTEC. They also take two years to complete and can often be taken alongside A Levels. After completion, students typically go to university or start an apprenticeship.

T Levels: T Levels are a new national qualification that is aimed at students who have a very set career in mind, and combine 80% classroom learning with 20% work placement within the subject industry.

T Levels are equivalent to three A Level subjects so would be your full time course at college, and they are taken over two years with a range of assessments during that time.

Take an apprenticeship: Apprenticeships are the most practical type of qualification you can do after GCSEs and are open to anyone aged 16 and above. You’ll start working and earning a wage but will still be learning at the same time. Typically you will spend 80% at work and 20% studying. With an apprenticeship, you learn on the job with lots of continuous assessments, as opposed to taking end of year exams.

The length of an apprenticeship depends on what the job role is and what qualification you are working for. The minimum duration is 12 months and the maximum is four years.

Apprenticeships are a good choice if you already know what career you want to do as you get hands on learning experience and earn money at the same time. Not all careers offer apprenticeships, however, so talk to your careers advisor to see what’s available.

Where can I go to study?

The two most common places to study for our students are Birkenhead Sixth Form College and Wirral Met.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College is the natural choice for our Year 11 students who wish to take A Levels or BTECs to extend your academic learning and open doors for the future.

Five reasons to choose Birkenhead Sixth Form College: the teaching

The teachers are specialists in sixth form education after GCSEs.

the choice

39 course choices with no option block limitations.

the experience

Students are treated as adults in a calm and mature atmosphere with no younger students.

the success

Students achieve more at the College than any other Wirral sixth form.

easy to get to

The College offers subsidised, dedicated College bus services from areas across Wirral directly to the College campus.

The service is free for students who qualify for a College bursary.

Courses: Choosing your courses: At the College, you can study A Levels or BTECs or a combination of both. You choose three subject options: one A Level makes up one subject option, and BTECs can be equivalent to one or two subject options. A T Level is equivalent to three subject options.

There are no timetable restrictions on what combination of subjects you can study.

Entry Requirements: Five GCSEs including Maths and English Language: a minimum of three GCSEs at Grade 4 and two GCSEs at Grade 5 are required, plus additional entry requirements for individual subjects.

Please note: Level 2 BTECs are not accepted as part of any entry criteria.

A Levels

• • • • • • • • • • •

Art (Fine Art) Biology Business Chemistry Computer Science Dance Drama & Theatre Studies Economics English Language English Literature Environmental Science

BTECs

• • • •

Business Health & Social care* IT* Law

(equivelent to two A Levels)

T Level (equivelent to three A Levels)

• • • • • • • • • • •

Film French Geography Graphics History Law Maths Further Maths Media Studies Physical Education Physics

• • • • • • •

Politics Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Spanish Statistics Textiles

• Music: Digital Production • Applied Science • Sport

* Single or double available

SCIENCE T LEVEL WITH SPECIALISM IN LABORATORY SCIENCE A new national qualification that combines classroom learning with work placements within the science industry

Q&A I don’t know where to begin applying for college, what help is available?

Hope Crabtree works for Career Connect and is our BPS careers adviser. You can have a one-to-one careers sessions with Hope, who will help you every step of the way. www.careerconnect.org.uk You are also able to talk to Miss Edwards in Student Services for any help or advice on applications.

Is there anyone at school who can give me advice or help me to complete my college application?

If you need any help at all, or just want to talk about your choices for September 2023, please speak to Miss Edwards (Student Engagement Co-ordinator.)

How many college courses should I apply for?

You need to apply for a preferred course and a backup course by the end of November.

What if I apply now for a course or set of A Levels and then change my mind?

The school and your chosen college will help you to make the right choices that fulfil your potential and aspirations. You will have a guidance interview for college to discuss the courses that you would like to study, and after receiving your GCSE results you will enrol at college and have the opportunity to discuss your final choices.

I am putting off applying for college as I am worried about the guidance interview!

There is no need to panic. The guidance interview provides you with an opportunity to meet staff from the college. It is a helpful and supportive process which we will help you with.

If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask!

Ambition AND

EXCELLENCE FOR ALL The Birkenhead Park School Park Road South Birkenhead Wirral, Merseyside CH43 4UY Tel: 0151 652 1574 Email: offices@birkenheadparkschool.com

The

Birkenhead Park School