Post 16 choices

Choosing what to do after leaving secondary school, is one of the most important decisions of your child’s life. Since the end of the academic year 2015, every pupil has been required to be in Education, Training or Employment with a training programme, until the age of 18. 

Some young people will already have a clear idea of what they want to do long term, whilst others will need guidance and support to ensure the make appropriate achievable choices. 

A levels and beyond

Some pupils may already know that they want to go to university and even which career they want to go into. 

If this sounds like your son or daughter, direct them to the UCAS website, and individual university websites for advice on which A levels/ level 3 courses they will need to take, to meet the criteria for the specific courses and careers they wish to pursue. 

The following website will also be of interest to you:

Russell Group Informed Choices: Russellgroup

Which? University Guide:   university.which.co.uk

Other choices

Many pupils leaving Ferryhill School choose to continue their education at a  local Sixth form centre or college but there are other choices too, such as getting a job with training or securing and apprenticeship. 

What is most important is that your child chooses the course or training programme to suit both their skills and aspirations.

After GCSEs, there are 3 main pathways to choose from and making the decision between the different pathways needs careful thought.

• Full time, general academic study e.g. A levels, offered at schools, Sixth forms and colleges

• Work based learning e.g apprenticeships, learning on the job but also with a learning provider

• Part time, work-related learning e.g I day per week with a learning provider if employed, self-employed or volunteering for 20+ hours each week.

The following websites  and several others on the general links page may prove useful in helping make a decision.

Apprenticeships Search: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

National Careers Service:  0800 100 900 www.direct.gov.uk/NationalCareersService