1. Options after year 11 Hi all,
Just to introduce myself, my name is Laura-Jane and I am the manager and careers advisor from Your Future Careers Service. I have an office based in Sutton but I cover the whole South London area and beyond- going into school, running and attending various events and then a drop in service operating from the office.
I provide impartial careers education, information ,advice and guidance and I have been coming into Hollyfield since November and have met with a range of students from year 9 through to year 13 through 1-1 sessions.
With the current economic climate and changes within Education it is even more important that young people get the support they need to make informed decisions on what to do with their future.
I have been asked to run a session for you today on post 16 options. Now I apologise in advance if anything I say today is information you already know about and whilst I may not give you anything new I hope I can at least refresh you on all the options available. I will send out a more in depth presentation after today which has more information and resources for you to use as it was hard to give you all my information in a half hour session.
I will run through my presentation and as you will see in front of you there are pens and paper for you to jot down any questions as we go along and we will have a question and answer session at the end.

2. Raising of participation age (RPA)
The Government has increased the age to which all young people in England must continue in education or training; since 2015 all young people have been expected to remain in some form of education and training until they are 18 years old.
This means that students will able to choose one of the following options post-16:
full-time education, such as school or college
an apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship
part-time education or training if you are employed, self-employed or volunteering full-time (which is defined as 20 hours or more a week).
Training, which also includes The Army or other forces.
An education to employment scheme such as a traineeship.
Taken from
RPA will effect the current year 10’s by saying they must stay in education until they are 17 and year 9’s until they are 18. I have been asking year 9’s particularly how they felt about this and I have had some interesting feedback. Some think it is unfair and others don’t care as it was going to be what they were planning to do anyway. I always try and explain the reasons why and how that in this economy government are actually doing them a favour by giving more opportunities and a chance to gain as many qualifications as possible. impact on schools could mean that they will need to offer more practical subjects to stop loosing students.

3. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EACH POST 16 OPTION
6th form
Smaller classes
Similar age range of years old
Familiar environment
Not always able to offer as many practical courses.
College
Wider age range- can include adults, over 19’s, evening classes and overseas students all under one roof.
Wider variety of subjects
Larger environment
Apprenticeships
Earn whilst you learn
Day release to college or training centre
Can be in the field of work you want to do.
Training
Including the army.
Helps to get certificates and qualifications ready to go onto to college or into work.
Smaller environments
Similar age ranges
Employment
Start earning money
Can be difficult to get jobs with few qualifications
Education is free until your are 19
At 16 young people can take up part time work that doesn’t interfere with studies.
Post 16 the main options are- 6th form, college, apprenticeships, training or employment (although this will change after the current year 11’s leave-as discussed with RPA). Here are the main differences between all the possibilities.
The biggest difference between college and 6th form is their size and what can be offered. Some like a fresh start or want to do something practical and others prefer familiarity. It is a completely personal choice.

4. A Levels 1st year is AS levels, usually 3-5 subjects (Year 12)
2nd year is A levels and if taking more than 3 you will normally drop 1 or 2 subjects leaving 3 that you continue studying (year 13)
Normally will need 5 GCSE’s at Grade A*-C (most places will ask for more or require at least a B grade in subjects you are continuing with)
These courses lead to both Higher Education and to Employment or Higher Apprenticeships.
A levels are offered in 6th forms and at colleges.
Wider choice of A levels normally offered at a 6th form. transition from GCSE to A level can sometimes be a big step. Having Maths and English at C minimum is often the sticking point but essential to be able to handle the level of work required.

5. 3 LEVELS AVAILABLE- INTRODUCTORY, FIRST AND NATIONAL
BTEC’S
3 LEVELS AVAILABLE- INTRODUCTORY, FIRST AND NATIONAL
MORE PRACTICAL, COURSEWORK BASED AND ASSESSMENT AS YOU GO ALONG. NORMALLY WILL STUDY BTEC ON ITS OWN.
CAN STILL GO TO UNIVERSITY BUT WOULD NEED TO CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICULAR DEGREES AND WOULD NEED DISTINCTION/MERIT FOR POINTS. WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE A DEGREE IN A RELATED AREA E.G BTEC ENGINEERING TO DEGREE IN ENGINEERING.
AVAILABLE IN A RANGE OF SUBJECTS- PERFORMING ARTS, ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, ART AND DESIGN, PUBLIC SERVICES….
WOULD NEED TO KNOW THAT IT WAS AN AREA YOU DEFINITELY SAW YOURSELF GOING IN TO.
BTEC’s post 16 have 3 different levels. The National diploma is a level 3 course and equivalent to 2 A levels. At college you would study the BTEC normally on its own. In some 6th forms they will offer the level 3 btec and 1 A level subject.
BTEC’s re often seen as a lesser qualification than A levels but this depends on the path the young person wants to take. Entry requirements for level 3 are not too dissimilar to A levels so I think it is more a historical view that sometimes makes young people think they are not as good. I always give the scenario that with BTEC you need to know that is your are of interest as if you did a level 3 btec in engineering but then wanted to go to uni to study law, then they wont match but btec engineering and degree in engineering will give them a better chance as they are related. Most uni’s not validate BTEC’s but usually would need to get distinction or merit to receive enough points for degree courses. If young people have particular uni’s in mind it is useful to research this before taking a btec in case they wont acknowledge it.

6. APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships offer structured training in the workplace
Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.
Intermediate : Level 2 (5 GCSE passes at grades A* to C)
Advanced : Level 3 (2 A level passes)
Higher : Levels 4,5,6 and 7 (Foundation degree and above)
Degree : Level 6 and 7 (Bachelor’s or master’s degree)
Assessed by preparing a portfolio of evidence of work
All include key skills, such as communication, numeracy and IT.
If your Apprenticeship includes a technical certificate, there may also be some exams which are mainly multiple choice
Most Apprenticeships are ‘employer-led’,
you have to find a job with an employer although there are some local and national training providers who will match potential apprentices to vacancies.
Available to year olds (there are now also adult apprenticeships)
Some will still ask for GCSE’s and especially in English, Maths and Science at grade C/D.
Mixture of work placement and college/training provider
Apprenticeships are great but they aren’t for everyone and certainly shouldn’t be seen as an easy route. They are tougher than just doing a course or working full time. I try to explain that whilst their friends may be at college only 3 days a week the will be working full time and going to college 1 day a week so is not something to be entered into lightly. I also explain about what they are asking from an employer- wages, training and a day off a week which is why salaries aren’t always great initially but this is training them for a career.

8. Pre- Apprenticeships
Part of Kingston Adult Education, offers Pre Apprenticeships (16-24 year olds) and Apprenticeships. Based at the King Charles Centre, King Charles Road, Surbiton KT5 9AL .
This 12 week programme consists of
employability skills,
help with job applications, interviews and job search.
Work experience
level 1 Functional Skills qualification in Maths and English if needed.
Personal one to one reviews and support
Pre-apprenticeships are fairly new and help young people to bridge the gap from school to an apprenticeship particularly if they don’t want to do foundation learning or don’t have enough maths and English to get them in to an apprenticeship. Colleges, training providers and local authorities offer these.

9. Foundation Learning and Employment
Foundation learning (previously e2e) is aimed at young people who are not ready or not able to enter further education, work or apprenticeships. It is offered at training providers and colleges.
Helps to develop practical skills to be able to progress.
Full time employment is very difficult for young people. Claiming JSA is also tougher as it is seen that there are other opportunities available.
Foundation learning took over from entry to employment courses (e2e) and are usually offered at training providers and colleges . The closest training provider to Hollyfield is BTE.

10. TRAINEESHIPS
Traineeships are designed help young people who want to get an apprenticeship or job but don’t yet have appropriate skills or experience.
A traineeship is an education and training programme with work experience that unlocks the great potential of young people and prepares them for their future careers by helping them to become ‘work ready’.
Designed to help young people aged 16 to 24 who don’t yet have the appropriate skills or experience, traineeships provide the essential work preparation training, English, maths and work experience needed to secure an apprenticeship or employment.

12. Post 18 options
Higher Education- at university, college or though distance learning.
FE Courses- can be useful if you want to gain skills in a specific career
Jobs with training e.g. internships or in house schemes.
Year Out- ‘gap year’ (good for gaining experience or saving for university but caution should be taken over the draw of earning money which can become more appealing than going to Uni.)
Resitting 'A' Levels- either at 6th form or college (education is free until you are 19 but must be 18 on registration as of the 31st August )
Apprenticeships- available to year olds and adult apprenticeships are slowly becoming more available.
(level 3 apprenticeships will be the equivalent to A levels but will give you experience in a particular industry, in some cases higher level apprenticeships may be available.)
Here is a quick summary of options at post 18. Depending on what choices they made for post 16 will make some of these more accessible than others.

13. Advice for Young People.
Use your appointment with the careers advisor to ask questions and get help.
Attend open days for 6th forms, colleges and providers.
Apply early for courses and apprenticeships
Apply for at least 3 places.
Have a back up plan
Ask for help
Advice for Young People.
This slide is more for when I am presenting to young people but can be used as a reminder when supporting young people in school.