What’s this all About?
Year 11 is an important time for you as your GCSE programme comes to an end. You have many different choices to consider after your GCSEs so it is really important to find out about all your options at an early stage and think about which would suit you best. This can be confusing – but it does mean that there are opportunities to suit you whatever your qualifications, skills and interests. If you have a learning difficulty or disability there are other choices available to you involving specialist schools and colleges as well.
Use the links below to see a brief summary of your different options. For details of the full range of post GCSE options available in Medway see www.yourchoiceinmedway.org.uk or for the rest of Kent see www.kentchoices4u.com . Of course, you can always talk to your Medway Youth Trust Connexions Personal Adviser.
What can I do in Sixth Form or at College
What if I have an SEN Statement?
Apprenticeships
Entry to Employment (E2E) or Pre-Apprenticeships
How Should I Choose the Best Options for Me?
What Can You Do in Sixth Form or at College?
Sixth forms and college both offer a wide variety of subjects and qualifications. There are big variations between the different sixth forms and college so it is important in considering this option to look carefully at different school/college prospectuses, visit their open days and talk to their staff to find out about the subjects that interest you. We suggest you find out how the subjects are taught and assessed and how practical/theoretical they are, as well as explore the facilities and extra curricular activities available. Finding the right option to suit your style of learning and interests is very important. Programmes of study offered may include the following:
AS and A levels: These are 1-2 year programmes where the first year leads to completion of AS (half an A level) and the second year leads to A2 (a full A level). Usually, 3 or 4 subjects are chosen and study tends to be theoretical and mainly exam based or with a mix of exams and coursework. In order to qualify to take an A level programme, you would normally require 5 GCSEs at grades C and above often including Maths & English. Your might need B grades in some subjects that perhaps you wish to continue studying at a higher level. A Levels can be a good option to consider if you achieve the required GCSE grades, you enjoy a more theoretical style of learning and you wish to continue studying several different subjects. A Levels can lead you on to either study at university or employment. Some university programmes (eg; medicine and veterinary science) have particular entry requirements in terms of the A Level subjects required and it is really important you check this before choosing your options if you have a particular course/career in which you are interested.
Vocational Programmes: Colleges and some sixth forms offer a variety of vocational options including BTEC courses and Diplomas. These programmes offer either practical based studies or a mix of practical and theoretical work geared towards particular areas of employment. Courses are offered at different levels and you can find a programme to suit you whatever GCSE grades you achieve. Completion of a vocational course can lead onto employment or if you achieve a Level 3 qualification, it may lead you on to further study at university.
GCSEs: There may be an opportunity at college or in some sixth forms for you to re-sit some of your GCSEs or take new subjects at GCSE level.
Back to Top
What if you have an SEN Statement?
If have an SEN Statement and would like to receive post 16 education, training or higher education, the Secretary of State must arrange for an assessment to be conducted at some time during your last year of schooling. This assessment is called a Section 139a; it is sometimes referred to as a S139a. It will be completed by one of our Connexions Personal Advisors with you and with or without your parents/carers. The S139a form will disclose your educational and training needs and what provision you need for this to be met. You are able to state that you do not want an S139a completed.
You have many of the same options as anyone else such as continuing onto year 12/13 at the same school or different school or going to a local college (What Can I do in Sixth Form or at College). If this is what you choose, our Connexions Personal Advisor will work closely with you, your family and school to complete a S139a so that appropriate support and provision has been identified for you. If you are to continue onto a specialist school, this will usually have been identified in year 9/10 and or Year 11. There have been occasions when some young people have been placed in local school provision that is unable to meet their needs or it has been agreed that post year 11 provision is not suitable in Medway for that young person. If this happens, the school will liaise with the Special Education department at Medway Council, notifying them that the current placement is not suitable. The Council will then look to find other suitable provision outside of Medway. This work is completed in a partnership with you, your parents/carers and also one of our Connexions Personal Advisors.
There are colleges all over the UK that offer specialist provision to cater for different needs of young people with a learning disability and or difficulty. To be able to get funding for a placement, the college must be registered with the Learning and Skills Council. The Association of National Specialist Colleges www.natspec.org.uk have these colleges listed. The funding application must be lead by the local Connexions Personal Advisor. You should contact our Medway Youth Trust Medway Connexions office and ask to speak to one of our Learning Difficulty/Disability Personal Advisors who will be able to guide you through the process.
To be able to access day care you will need to have an assessment from Medway Council’s integrated social care team. You will need to contact Customer First at Medway Council to make a referral over the phone. A social worker or care manager will then find out what you need, identify if the criteria is met and then support you and your family in finding day care provision. If the criteria is not met the person carrying out the assessment will ensure you have details of who can support you
www.medway.gov.uk/index/socialcare.htm
Back to the Top
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship provides an opportunity for you to learn a particular job or trade while at work. This involves working with an employer usually 4 days per week plus 1 day at college or with a training provider to study towards achieving a qualification such as an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification). This may suit you if you prefer to learn in a practical way and know which type of job you want. It also has the advantage of earning a training allowance. However, some people can find it hard to work and learn at the same time and you should think about this. Many apprenticeships are also competitive and you will often have to look for an employer yourself. Entry requirements for apprenticeships vary – some C grades at GCSE are usually required
Back to the Top
Entry to Employment (E2E) or Pre Apprenticeships
You may well feel that sixth form or college will not suit you and you also do not feel you are ready for an apprenticeship. However, you might like to improve your personal skills and prepare for the world of work. So you might want to consider a pre apprenticeship or E2E programme. No GCSEs are required and these programmes usually last around 22 weeks. They are offered by various training providers and combine personal & social development, key skills and work experience as preparation for employment. They provide the opportunity to gain entry level qualifications. While you are on E2E you may qualify for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
For further information about E2E and apprenticeships see our section on Work and Training
Back to the Top
How Should I Choose the Best Options for Me?
Our six tips below will help you make this choice:
- Think about your skills, interests, the subjects you enjoy and how you like to learn e.g. through practical activities, coursework or written exams.
- Explore career ideas to help you choose your next steps. See the section on Choosing a Career under Work and Training
- Find out your predicted GCSE grades and look at the Understanding Qualifications to see what level you are currently working at and what level course/training you should therefore be aiming towards after your GCSEs.
- Find out more about the above choices through www.yourchoiceinmedway.org.uk
- or for the rest of Kent see http://www.kentchoices4u.com
- Go to open days (dates on and the advice and guidance section of www.yourchoiceinmedway.org.uk) Lastly of course,
- Speak with one of our Connexions Personal Advisers
