 Choices at 16: Full-time LearningIf you decide to continue in full time education or learning you will want to know what the options are for where you can study. Knowing where you can learn might help you to choose what is right for you. Your school may have a sixth form or there might be a local sixth form college you can attend. Depending on your GCSE results and what you want to do in the future you could decide to take AS and A2 levels. You may also want to take or need to take additional GCSEs. You can also retake GCSEs and key skills. You may think about staying on at your school if it has a sixth form. You will already know some of the tutors, some of your friends might be thinking of staying on and you will definitely know your way around. On the other hand you might find you have had enough of the school environment and going to a Further Education (FE) college would be a new and interesting challenge. A sixth form school or college may not offer you the choice of qualifications and courses you want to study. If you think a more vocational route would be the one for you, you might want to consider a FE college. FE colleges can offer a wider range of vocational qualifications as well as those available at sixth form. They have specialised vocational departments where you can do courses in catering, engineering, and leisure and tourism. In addition, Further Education colleges may be able to offer you a more flexible way of learning. For example, you might be able to work from home, and receive extra practical help when taking your exams. If you want to follow a particular career such as agriculture or horticulture you may what to attend a specialised college. Attending a specialised college could mean you having to travel a lot or living near the college during the week in term time. To help you decide which institution to study at, most sixth forms and FE colleges will produce a prospectus which will tell you exactly what subjects and qualifications they can offer. They should also hold an open day which will give you the opportunity to find out more about the institution, talk to subject tutors and ask any questions. Who can helpTalk to your subject and career teachers to help you decide what plan of action will be best for you after Year 11. Your careers teacher should also be able to tell you what if any financial help you could be entitled to. It's your choice is a useful guide for Year 10 and 11 students to help plan your next steps after Year 11. Visit www.connexions-direct.com/itsyourchoice. Jobs4U is the Connexions occupational database that helps you find out different entry levels for jobs and see if you need to undertake full time learning after year 11. Visit www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u. The Learndirect courses database lets you search for hundreds of course throughout the country. Visit www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/findacourse/. Visit www.dfes.gov.uk/financialhelp/ for further information on financial support available. You can speak to a Personal Adviser at your local Connexions Centre. To find your local centre click on the Local Services icon in the footer of the homepage or check out your local phone book. |
