Post 16 Options

What options lay in front of students upon completing Key Stage 4 can be daunting. Below you will see the layout of possible progression routes open to our students upon leaving Year 11. Throughout their journey at King Ethelbert, they will be informed about each and every path open to them so they can make the most informed and appropriate decision possible. 

Level 1 qualifications are fairly basic, building confidence and providing an introduction to a subject, industry or area of work. They include, for example, NVQ Level 1, BTEC Introductory Certificates and OCR Nationals which are roughly equivalent to GCSEs gained at grades 3 to 1. You would need qualifications at this level before progressing to level 2.

Level 2 qualifications include GCSEs graded 9 to 1, and vocational courses (eg. NVQ level 2 and BTEC Tech Awards) which give a deeper understanding of a subject or area of work and are roughly equivalent to GCSEs at grades 9 to 4. Many employers like young people to have a level 2 qualification as a minimum. BTEC Techs are grade Pass, Merit, Distinction.

Level 3 qualifications include IB Diplomas, BTEC Nationals, IBCP (International Baccalaureate Careers Related Programme) , IBDP (international Baccalaureate Diploma Programme), A and AS levels, NVQ Level 3, Advanced and Progression Diplomas. This level is almost always required for entry to university and many employers will be looking for Level 3 in applicants for more technical or supervisory roles.

 Work-Based Training

Apprenticeships:

An apprenticeship is a job with training while you learn. There are two organisations involved in Apprenticeships – the Employer (who provides the job) and a Training Provider (who provides the training and assessment). An Apprenticeship is a job. Without the offer of an appropriate job from an employer there is no Apprenticeship. For apprentices who do not yet have a work placement they can work on a “Programme Led Apprenticeship”

Traineeship:

A Traineeship is an unwaged education and training program with work experience that is focused on giving young people the skills and experience that employers are looking for. At it's core are work preparation training, English and Maths for those who need it, and a high quality work experience placement.