POST-16 OPTIONS

What can I do at the end of year 11?

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The Raising of the Participation Age means at the end of year 11 you will need to continue in education or training until at least your 18th birthday.

Full-time education

Full-time courses can be described as:

General academic courses

(e.g. A Levels): A Levels are level 3 qualifications. Good GCSE grades are needed to show you can cope with the level of study required. A Levels normally last for two years and students normally study 3 or 4 subjects. A wide range of subjects can be studied. You can progress onto Higher Education courses or Advanced Apprenticeships.

Vocational (work-related) courses

Level 1 to 3 (e.g. BTEC) courses are available to year 11 leavers. Level 1 and 2 courses often last one year and Level 3 two years. A wide variety of vocational areas are available. Level 3 diploma courses (e.g. BTEC) enable you to progress onto Higher Education or Level 4, 5 or 6 Apprenticeships.

T-Level Courses

A two year Level 3 course available to year 11 leavers. Available in a wide variety of vocational areas and include a 45 day employer placement. If you are not ready for the Level 3 T-Level course, you can do a one year T-Level foundation year course.

Foundation learning courses

A variety of courses are available at Entry Level 1, 2 and 3. These courses include additional support, employability skills and vocational tasters. Courses generally last for one year.

You can choose to continue your education at:

College

There are a range of colleges across Birmingham and its surroundings (e.g Solihull and Walsall)

School Sixth Forms​

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Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to combine on the job training with studying for a qualification. Apprenticeships are available from Intermediate (Level 2), Advanced (Level 3) up to Levels 4, 5 or 6. It usually takes between one and four years to complete an apprenticeship depending on the level taken

Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of industries and many prestigious companies offer them (popular examples include: Jaguar Land Rover; Virgin Media; Specsavers, etc) If you have an EHCP then a minimum of an Entry Level 3 or a Level 1 qualification in English or maths can be acceptable, if agreed by the employer.

 

 

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Entry Level and Level 1 Study Programmes

(pre-apprenticeships)

Not everyone is ready to start full-time college or an apprenticeship after Year 11. So you can begin your journey with an Entry Level or Level 1 Study Programme (sometimes these are called pre-apprenticeship programmes). These are flexible programmes built around your needs and your future career plans.

They combine the following elements:

• Qualifications that prepare you for the next level of education or for employment

• English and Maths if you have not achieved GCSE
Grade 4

• Work Experience to develop your career choices and
get a first taste of work

• Activities to enhance your CV

You can do a Study Programme with a local college, or a Training Provider.

Ask your Careers Adviser for more information. 

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Supported Internships

Supported internships are a structured study programme based primarily with an employer. They enable young people aged 16-24, with an EHCP, to achieve paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace. Young people also complete a personalised study programme including English, maths and other qualifications.

 

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