33 DAYS 792 HOURS MINUTES SECONDS This is how long it is until the deadline for our Year 11 students’ CAP application (school days!).

Why are we here? Making an application can be daunting – the students need our support! This evening will: -Provide you and the students with opportunities to speak directly to our local Post-16 providers (straight from the horse’s mouth!) -Present you with an overview of the application process -Bring you up-to-date with current Education legislation

Key Dates 11 th December the CAP (Cambridge Area Partnership) application must be completed 12 th January 2016 – Chesterton Community College will authorise the applications and they will be sent to the providers

What are you talking about?!? Applications to all CAP providers must now be made online using one central application via UCAS Progress. Students submit one application choosing up to 5 Post- 16 providers. Interviews will be conducted from the end of February 2016.

What does the form look like? The form asks for the following five components: -Personal Information (completed by the student) -Qualifications (completed by the college) -Work History (completed by the student) -Personal Statement (completed by the student) -Reference (completed the college)

How can we help? -Personal Information (completed by the student) -Work History (completed by the student) -Personal Statement (completed by the student) Go online with the student and help check their details. Help them sell themselves: make the college want them to study with them!

How can we help? -Qualifications (completed by the college) Help the students do as well in their mock exams as possible as this is our main indicator to how they might perform in the ‘real thing’ and is what we base predicted grades on. -Reference (completed by the college) Whilst we will be fully supportive – we can’t lie!

On that note? 95%

Education Legislation A young person may: - continue in full-time education - follow a full-time work-based learning route, e.g. an apprenticeship - undertake part-time education or training for at least one day a week if they… work are self-employed volunteer for at least 20 hours per week. There’s no need to feel frustration with education: a wide range of learning opportunities will be available.

Post 16 options Continue with education at college or sixth form Start an Apprenticeship or Traineeship Get a job or volunteer, with training

QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK Most pupils 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 OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE! Students can work out which level of course they should be applying for by looking at their predicted grades with you, their Tutor or Co-Tutor.

Courses and Qualifications Level 321 General mostly examinations A/AS-level IB GCSE A*-C GCSE D-G Vocational / Applied mostly coursework BTEC/OCR Level 3 BTEC/OCR Level 2 BTEC Level 1 Vocational (craft) coursework based (NVQ)/C&G L3 Advanced Apprenticeship Traineeship (NVQ)/C&G L2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Traineeship (NVQ)/C&G L1 Pre-employment scheme

What can students study? It’s important for our students to take the time to choose the right courses and qualifications. Encourage them to ask themselves: - What am I good at, and what do I enjoy? Most people do better when they study a subject that they like. - Do I want to learn something new? For many courses, you may not need any previous experience. - What course structure will suit me? Do I prefer end-of-year exams, continual assessment, or a mixture of both? - What learning style will suit me? Do I prefer lectures, classroom discussions, or practical workshops? - Where will the course lead me? Does it fit in with my long-term plans?

Where can students study? Most students apply to one of the Post-16 providers within the CAP (Cambridge Area Partnership). Cambridge Regional College College of West Anglia (Cambridge) Comberton Sixth Form Cottenham Sixth Form Ely Sixth Form Hills Road Sixth Form College Impington Sixth Form Long Road Sixth Form College Netherhall Sixth Form Parkside Sixth University Technical College Cambridge

The Routes

A LEVELS A levels are two year linear courses with exams at the end. Students will normally take three or four A levels. To take A levels, students need to attain 7 A*- C GCSEs.

NVQS & BTECS Students who opt for NVQs & BTECS often like practical, work-related tasks designed to help develop specific skills and the knowledge to do a job effectively. Vocational qualifications can help: to get the necessary skills needed to start a job to progress in a career lead on to further learning

APPRENTICESHIPS Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice, students will: -work alongside experienced staff -gain job-specific skills -earn a wage and get holiday pay -study towards a related qualification (usually one day a week) Apprenticeships take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level. There are different requirements for different apprenticeships, so students need to do their research!

DIPLOMAS A qualification for year olds of all abilities Diplomas combine academic learning with practical, hands-on skills Focus on skills needed for future Diplomas can lead to college and university, or into skilled employment

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE The International Baccalaureate, or IB, is a challenging and well-rounded programme of education for year-old students. It’s an internationally recognised course, followed by students around the world. There are three compulsory, core 'elements' to the IB plus students study six subjects: -a first language (your child’s mother tongue) -a second language -mathematics and computer science -the arts (visual, theatre and music) -experimental sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, design technology) -individuals and society (history, psychology, geography)

CAMBRIDGE PRE - U The Cambridge Pre-U, offered at Comberton Village College, is a demanding, academic qualification designed for high-achieving students. It is a linear course which is examined towards the end of year 13. Students can opt to take a Pre-U course instead of one AS and A-Level course. The benefit of the Pre-U qualification is that it provides additional academic challenge and can exceed the A* grading at A-level. For more information go to: cambridge-advanced/cambridge-pre-u/qualification/

NEW GUIDELINES If students do not achieve English and Maths GCSEs (A* to C) by the end of year 11, they must continue studying towards this post-16 The English and maths requirement for 16 to 19 study programmes becomes a condition of student funding.English and maths requirement

Nearly there!

USEFUL WEBSITES

Now what? Encourage students to seek advice – speak to Ms Bigglestone (me!) or Miss Avery. Students’ form tutors, co-tutors and subject teachers will also be able to offer advice. Help them with their online application at Urge students to attend as many Post-16 centre open evenings as possible, where possible go with them for support! Keep them working hard!

BEFORE YOU GO!

Make sure they have a safety net… That safety net is FURTHER EDUCATION!