Post 18 Options

Our sixth form students continue to receive careers support to help them with their planning after sixth form. The four main pathways for Post 18 are:


  • University

  • Gap Year

  • Apprenticeships and School Leaver Programmes

  • Employment


We start introducing these options in sessions for our Year 12 students to enable plenty of time for research and we arrange for students to attend a university taster day. Sessions continue in Year 13 with support with UCAS applications, CV writing and interview workshops for those considering other options. The Sixth Form team are all available to support students with their options and applications. All Sixth form students will have at least one individual meeting with our Careers Coordinator.

More information about university can be found here

Gap Year

A gap year usually means taking a year out in between your studies, often at age 21 after completing degrees or at age 18 after Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels, etc. There are lots of things you could do on a gap year like travelling, working or volunteering.

Some people apply and get a place at university and then ask for their place to be deferred so that they can have a gap year. You will need to request a deferred place when you apply.

A gap year can offer a great opportunity to develop personal and employability skills or to get experience working in a job area of interest or to meet people from different cultures. Also, some people use their gap year to confirm what sort of job or career they are interested in before they choose their next step. And, for some, having A-Level grades in the bag before applying for university can help decide what and where to apply to, especially if it is a very competitive course or you did better than anticipated.


Gap Year Information

Gap Year Information

Project Trust


Employment

When you have finished sixth form you might want to start work, rather than stay in full-time education. There are opportunities out there but the job market can be competitive.

If you are job hunting then try and find out what training the company offers and what the opportunities might be for promotion in the future.

Try to get a job you can combine with training (leading to a nationally recognised qualification) as this will enable you to continue learning as you work. This could mean that you will have more job satisfaction as you develop and use higher skills and could also mean you get more pay in the future.


Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships

If you are doing A Levels or other Level 3 qualifications, like BTECs, you might be considering an apprenticeship when you finish.

An apprenticeship can be a good route if you want to get training for a specific job sector and be earning at the same time. There are all sorts of opportunities for fantastic apprenticeships developing all the time.

However, there are a few things you need to consider:

  • Apprenticeship vacancies for the summer after you finish your A Levels/other Level 3 qualifications are advertised throughout the year and the closing dates can vary. Therefore, if you are undecided about whether to choose an apprenticeship or higher-education path it is probably best to apply for higher education as well as look for apprenticeship vacancies. If you get an apprenticeship you can always decline your university offer.

  • There are 70+ different job areas now offering Higher Apprenticeships, which are higher-education-level qualifications (Level 4+). Employers are asking for A Levels and other Level 3 qualifications as entry requirements. Search for vacancies online or register for alerts about vacancies on gov.uk. You can also look at company websites or make speculative applications.

  • If you do not have the relevant job-specific experience you might have to complete an Advanced Apprenticeship, even though these are the same level qualifications (Level 3) as A Levels - although you might be able to complete it quicker than a 16-year-old.

  • Not all sectors offer Higher Apprenticeship qualifications so make sure you check if they are available in your chosen sector. Look here to find out what apprenticeships are approved but remember, you still need to find a vacancy.

  • For some jobs there is no apprenticeship pathway and a university degree is the only way in e.g. vet, doctor, etc.

  • Higher and Degree Apprenticeship opportunities are likely to be highly competitive!