Chesterton Community College… 16 and Beyond Welcome to… Chesterton Community College… 16 and Beyond

The start of a hectic year!!!

Tonight… Tonight marks the beginning of the process for parents & carers, but not for students. They’ve already had a similar presentation. They have also had a special Post-16 Day last week when they started to write their personal statements and their online applications.

The Process – what happens? Preparation using UCAS Progress Personal Statements Prospectuses & online research Choose favourite courses Estimated Grades* References *Estimated grades are what the colleges initially use to make a decision

The Application Students should have their decisions made and draft UCAS application completed by 15th December. Final checks, advice and predicted grades/references added 1st week back after Christmas. Applications approved in January – deadline is 10th January. Guidance chats February onwards Offers made by 28th March

The Application Students may apply for up to 5 institutions of their choice but their choice must be a suitable course for them. There will be information sent out regarding Post-16 centres’ interview policies Some Post-16 centres expect students to select a 1st choice centre e.g. Parkside, Hills Road (added to personal statement). It is up to the Post-16 centres to inform students if they have a guidance interview (emails and addresses must be correct). Ensure that it’s a course that is suitable for them and their estimated grades as applying for somewhere unsuitable is a waste of a choice

Post-16 Providers Post-16 centres will make offers according to their own published criteria in their admissions policy; Clear guidance will be provided by Post-16 centres about how students will be expected to confirm the decline of offers made; Students will be expected to respond to offers following the instructions provided with the offer.

Cambridge Area Partnership CAP Our Post-16 Providers Cambridge Area Partnership CAP Cambridge & Huntingdon Regional College College of West Anglia (Cambridge) Comberton Sixth Form Cottenham Sixth Form Bishop Laney Sixth Form Hills Road Sixth Form College Impington Sixth Form Long Road Sixth Form College Netherhall Sixth Form Parkside Sixth Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (formerly UTC).

Post 16 options 2017-2018 Continue with your education at college or sixth form Start an Apprenticeship or Traineeship Get a job or volunteer, with training Note: A traineeship is a short course (maximum length 6 months) for those students who are not quite ready for an apprenticeship Year 11

Qualifications Framework Most pupils will leave Chesterton ready to begin a Level 1, 2 or 3 course Some will begin a course that will enable them to reach Level 1 – THERE ARE ALWAYS OPTIONS You can help your child work out which level of course they should be applying for by going over their estimated grades with them

Courses and Qualifications Level Academic mostly examinations Applied General 50% coursework BTEC/OCR Level 3 BTEC/OCR Level 2 BTEC/OCR Level 1 Technical Level coursework based (NVQ)/C&G L3 (NVQ)/C&G L2 (NVQ)/C&G L1 Apprenticeship Traineeship employment and training 3 A/AS-level IB Advanced Apprenticeship 2 GCSE A*-C Maths / English 9-4 Intermediate Apprenticeship and Traineeship Coursework is sometimes referred to as controlled assessment or internal assessment and may include examinations. Below taken from DfE 16 to 19 performance tables: qualifications in the tech level and applied general category: Tech levels are rigorous advanced (level 3) technical qualifications on a par with A Levels and recognised by employers. They are for students aged 16 plus that want to specialise in a specific industry or prepare for a particular job. They cover jobs and careers where employers recruit people at this level or where a level 3 qualification is needed before students can progress to a related higher education course. Tech levels give students an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and skills to help them get an apprenticeship or job, for example in engineering, IT, accounting or professional cookery, or progress to a higher level qualification. In some cases, a tech level qualification is a ‘licence to practise’ or can exempt someone holding the qualification from a professional exam. Tech levels are recognised by trade or professional bodies or at least five employers. Alternatively, the qualification may be accepted by a national licensed professional registration scheme. Applied general qualifications are rigorous advanced (level 3) qualifications that allow 16 to 19 year old students to develop transferable knowledge and skills. They are for students that want to continue their education through applied learning. Applied general qualifications allow entry to a range of higher education courses, either by meeting the entry requirements in their own right or being accepted alongside and adding value to other qualifications at level 3 such as A levels. Higher education institutions, such as universities, have pledged support for all approved applied general qualifications listed. 1 GCSE D-G Maths / English 3-1 Traineeship and Pre-employment schemes It is possible to combine Academic and Applied General route at some providers

A general guide to entry requirements A-level / IB courses You will require a range of GCSEs including maths and English. Some subjects need specific subjects and grades. Applied general (level 3) Courses You start most courses at Level 1, progressing to Level 2 and Level 3 as your skills develop For some courses you can enter at Level 3 depending on skill level Some courses need specific subjects Technical Courses Minimum of 4 GCSEs at 4 or above (or vocational equivalent) usually including maths and/or English Some require more than 4 GCSEs or specific subjects Applied general (level 2) Courses Minimum of 2 GCSEs at 3 (or vocational equivalent) To confirm entry requirements and specific subject requirements please contact post 16 centres you are considering.

Maths and English for Full Time Students Students who achieve grade 3 or below in English and/or maths will need to continue working towards their GCSE. Those with grade 3 need to retake GCSE, those with 2 and below can take qualifications that lead to GCSE. Students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, may be exempt from the above, but will still need to study Maths and/or English.

Nearly Done!!!

After Tonight…

www.ucasprogress.com Useful websites www.chestertoncc.net www.apprenticeshipsonline.com www.directgov.uk

Click on the link to find out more about different types of qualifications http://www.youthoria.org/home/learning/16pluscourses/1338887527.402/

After Tonight… Visit as many centres as possible – Open Evening dates have already been posted out on Parentmail and are on our website. Seek advice and help your child enter FE at the right level for them and on a course which suits them Remember, there is a place for everyone in FE. Don’t discount any centre, look at them all. Encourage your child to work hard (mocks are so important) and attend!

Chesterton Community College… 16 and Beyond eheggan@chesterton. cambs Chesterton Community College… 16 and Beyond eheggan@chesterton.cambs.sch.uk www.chestertoncc.net