1. Options After Year 11

2. Things are changing
All qualifications for year olds are being reviewed and modernised
Why?
The world is changing….

4. 14 -19 Pathways All new qualifications fit into one of these pathways:
CONSIDER OPTIONS 14
CONSIDER OPTIONS 16
CONSIDER OPTIONS 17
CONSIDER OPTIONS 18
Further education
GCSE
Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma
Foundation or Higher Diploma
GCSE / A-Level
Higher education
Foundation Learning Tier
Foundation Learning Tier
Apprenticeship post 18
Employment
Apprenticeship
Employment with training
Employment with training

5. guarantee of learning after Year 11
Post 16 Options
School 6th Form
Further Education College
Apprenticeship
Employment with training
Work based training course
All students have a
guarantee of learning after Year 11

6. Post 16 Courses AS/ A levels
Vocationally related courses – e.g.; BTEC National, BTEC First, City & Guilds
Work based courses such as NVQ
Foundation Learning Tier
Diploma
There are lots of vocationally related courses that you can do depending on your interests, the career you want to follow and your attainment at GCSEs.
Work based courses – such as Apprenticeships – will probably involve an NVQ course – this is a course that assesses how you do a specific job.
If you are not yet ready for Level 1 or 2 study then you will work with your teachers or Connexions advisers to put together a personalised programme that suits your own individual talents and dreams. These programmes are pulled together under the title of the Foundation Learning Tier.
Ask your SEN Coordinator for more details of how this applies to you

7. The Diploma
Depending on your GCSE grades, you can choose either a Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma
Foundation Diplomas are Level 1 qualifications and are worth 5 GCSEs at grades D - G
Higher Diplomas are Level 2 qualifications and are worth 7 GCSEs at grades A*- C
Advanced Diplomas are Level 3 qualifications and are worth 3.5 A levels at grades A*- E
They attract UCAS points like A levels

8. What’s different about Diplomas?
Diplomas are a new qualification made up of lots of smaller parts
Diplomas are not just about what you learn but about how you learn it – you will combine theory and practical work so that as well as finding out about things from books and people you will apply your knowledge by doing things in a practical environment

9. What Diplomas can I study?
14 different Diplomas are being rolled out across the country from September 2010
In this area you can study 8 Diplomas at Levels 1, 2 and 3:
Business Administration and Finance (Level 3 only)
Construction and the Built Environment (Level 3 only)
Creative and Media (via Suffolk ONE)
Environmental and Land Based Studies (Level 3 only)
Hair and Beauty (Level 1 and 2 only)
IT (Level 3 only)
Society, Health and Development (Level 3 only)
Travel and Tourism (via Suffolk ONE)

10. How long will a Diploma take?
Post 16 Level 1 and 2 Diplomas are one year full time courses
Advanced Diplomas are also full time courses and will take two years to complete

11. Where will I study?
Diplomas are provided by groups of schools and colleges working together
For Post 16 Diplomas students will attend the lead institution for the Diploma they choose and will be a full time student of that school or college
Lead institutions for the Diplomas are:

12. Where will I study? (continued)
Business, Administration & Finance
St Alban’s Catholic High School or Suffolk New College
Construction & Built Environment
Otley College
Creative & Media
Suffolk One
Environmental & Land Based Studies
Hair & Beauty
Suffolk New College IT
Society, Health & Development
Level 2 Holywells High School
Level 3 Suffolk New College
Travel & Tourism

13. What can I do after a Diploma?
Diplomas prepare you for further study, an apprenticeship or employment with training or higher education
Diplomas are not specific to any one job but will give you a broad understanding of the types of careers in an area and as such are a good way of finding out if you really want to work in any one area

14. 14 -19 Pathways 14 16 17 18 Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma
CONSIDER OPTIONS 14
CONSIDER OPTIONS 16
CONSIDER OPTIONS 17
CONSIDER OPTIONS 18
Further education
GCSE
Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma
Foundation or Higher Diploma
GCSE / A-Level
Higher education
Foundation Learning Tier
Foundation Learning Tier
Apprenticeship post 18
Employment
Apprenticeship
Employment with training
Employment with training

15. How do I find out more?
Visit the Diploma website at where you can find lots of information including video diaries of students currently studying a Diploma
Ask your Careers Co-ordinator or Connexions PA
You will be learning more in a PSHE lesson shortly – ask your tutor when this will be
Places on Diploma courses will be limited

16. Other courses
You can continue to study GCSEs or begin AS and A levels in Year 12
There are also a large range of vocational courses available at Suffolk New College or Otley College
Find out more from your local institutions – they will have open evenings and you can find greater detail in their Post 16 prospectus or at

17. Apprenticeships An apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn
You will need to get a job to be able to complete an apprenticeship
Whilst you are working you will also be studying with a training provider to get the qualifications you need to finish your apprenticeship
For more information contact the Apprenticeship Champion Victoria Caulder at
Or visit

18. Employment Getting a job is another route to take
Ask about training – how will your skills and talents be developed by your employer so that you have the chance to progress?
After 2013 all employment for 16 year olds will have to have accredited training with it – this is how seriously the government view training

19. Foundation Learning Tier
If you are not yet ready for Level 1 study then you will work with your teachers to put together a personalised programme that suits your own individual talents and dreams. These programmes are pulled together under the title of the Foundation Learning Tier.
Ask your SEN Coordinator for more details of how this applies to you

20. Pathways
After your Diploma all of these pathways are open to you:
CONSIDER OPTIONS 14
CONSIDER OPTIONS 16
CONSIDER OPTIONS 17
CONSIDER OPTIONS 18
Further education
GCSE
Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma
Foundation or Higher Diploma
GCSE / A-Level
Higher education
Foundation Learning Tier
Foundation Learning Tier
Apprenticeship post 18
Employment
Apprenticeship
Employment with training
Employment with training