This document summarizes post-16 education and career options for students after year 11. It outlines various pathways including sixth form college, further education college, apprenticeships, and employment. Students are advised to research their options using the school's careers library and websites. They should speak to teachers, careers advisors, and attend college open days to inform their decision. The deadline to apply to most colleges is the end of November. Help is available for students who are undecided on their next steps.

1. Post-16 Options What will you be doing this time next year? Year 11

2. What should you be doing now? Use the Careers Library (ground floor of the LRC) to research more about the different options open to you after year 11. Visit www.surreyareaprospectus.co.uk Read and complete ‘It’s Your Choice’.

4. Think about which pathway will suit you: Complete Pages 2-15 Other useful information: Complete Pages 16-26 If you want help with applications/interviews: Complete pages 22-23 EVERYBODY MUST : Complete Pages 27-29

5. What are the Options…? EDUCATION Sixth Form College (e.g. Collingwood College) Further Education College Specialist College

6. College does NOT just mean A Levels! Entry Level Prepare you for further learning/work/living. A Levels Help you prepare for HE/employment. You have to have 5 GCSEs at grade C or above to do A Levels (and often a B grade in the subject you are taking). IB Help you prepare for HE/ employment. Equivalent to four A Levels Have to study core subjects, e.g. Language, Maths, English, Science.

7. College does NOT just mean A Levels! The Diploma A new qualification, based around a different style of teaching and learning: classroom learning and practical hands-on experience. Study ‘functional skills’ which cover the main things you need to know about your chosen subject area. E.g. Collingwood College offer the IT Diploma. NVQs Develop practical skills and knowledge, related to a specific job in a specific industry Assessment is through the observation of practical work and the creation of portfolio evidence.

8. College does NOT just mean A Levels! VRQs Qualifications such as BTEC, City and Guilds and Edexcel. Practical learning that can help you to prepare for employment and future learning. … So as you can see, there are lots of options out there!

9. What are the Options…? TRAINING/ WORK Apprenticeship Job with training Work Training programme that prepares you for work, e.g. E2E Self employment

10. Advantages/Disadvantages of the different options It’s really important that you identify the advantages and disadvantages of each option, for you. Remember: Most careers require qualifications to a level beyond GCSEs. Education is only free up to 19 years. Often students who go out into the workplace after GCSEs wish they had been encouraged to gain some qualifications first.

11. What else should you be doing now? Talk to your parents/teachers/Form Tutor/Miss Parker/ Connexions about your ideas. Career ideas must inform your decision. Get hold of college prospectuses (copies of Collingwood College Sixth Form Prospectus will be in Careers soon). Find out the dates of open evenings and go to visit the colleges that interest you. Collingwood Sixth Form Open Evening 22 nd October 2009

12. What else should you be doing now? Apply for courses NOW! Rules for making applications: Who has already applied to College? If you want some help, just ask. 3. Always apply to more than one college. 2. Apply by the end of November . 1.

13. Tips for writing college applications… Make sure it is neat and tidy Read instructions (black ink/CAPITALS) Answer all questions fully Make sure you check closing deadlines Enter your predicted grades

14. Not sure what you want to do? Make sure you ask for help now: Miss Parker can have a chat with you about your options or arrange a career’s interview with Connexions for you. It’s important that you make an informed decision. If you don’t have any career ideas in mind then keep your options open.

15. If you decide you want to look for work/apprenticeship… Speak to Miss Parker first Arrange a Connexions interview Check the Vacancy Bulletin in the Careers Department www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u www.e4s.co.uk

16. Careers Resources available to help you decide…

17. Careers Resources available to help you decide…

18. Careers Etc Resources available to help you decide…

19. Pathfinder LIVE Resources available to help you decide…

20. Odyssey Resources available to help you decide…

21. Odyssey Resources available to help you decide…

22. Odyssey Resources available to help you decide…

23. Odyssey Resources available to help you decide…

24. To summarise… When should you start applying to college? What age is education free up until? Who can help you if you don’t know what to do after year 11? What IT Software is available to you to help with options/careers? http:// www.ema.coionline.tv/dvd/index.html Watch ‘my way’ to find out about the options available and financial support for young people