The government rules that everyone has to stay in either education or training until the age of 18 for very good reasons.
- To gain more qualifications to be able to compete in the world of work.
- To be equipped with the skills required for the 21st century.
- To give students a second chance if they need to work on improving their Maths or English.
- To open up the possibility of higher-level courses at college or university. Everyone should have this opportunity if they can meet the entry requirements for each course.
- So that no one is at a disadvantage because of low GCSE grades.
The options available at the end of year 11 are:
- To continue in education at a sixth form or further education college.
- To enter training leading towards employment.
- This can be an apprenticeship for those ready to work and with the required qualifications.
- A traineeship for those needing a few months of preparation for work. This could be a range of employability skill training and
- the opportunity to gain higher qualifications in Maths or English.
- A study programme which combines training towards the job sector, relevant sector qualifications and perhaps some work experience.
Download the Autumn Term Newletter with the YOUR CAREER PLAN. SHAPE YOUR FUTURE 2023
There are now new qualifications to consider along with A Levels and BTECs. These are T Levels. Check out the latest information on this website
Reasons to continue your education after year 11.
To gain more ‘academic’ qualifications
You enjoy studying and writing
You are achieving the grades to move on to a level 3 qualification such as A Level, T Level or BTECs.
You are just not ready to start ‘work’ in the form of an apprenticeship
You do not know what job you want to do (and that is OK at this stage)
You want to go to college to start your training towards your job idea
If you are ready for a change but prefer to continue your studies consider a different sixth form or college. (you can always go to the open day, you can apply, you can go for the interview – YOU CAN STILL CHANGE YOUR MIND AND REJECT THE PLACE.
You can study for your Maths and English if you do not achieve Level 4
You can study Level 1 or 2 courses at college – this is useful if you do not achieve GCSE level 4s in your GCSE exams.
Further Education Colleges in and around Leeds
Mostly Level 3 courses for which you will need good GCSE grades. They do also have some level 3 courses. Very competitive for apply early for a place.
Leeds City College is the 3rd largest college in England and so offers more courses than anywhere else in Leeds. It has course for EVERYONE. If you have no GCSE grades or lots of GCSE top grades there is a course here for you.
Use these links to go direct to …..
Vocational, trade, BTECS and general courses.
For A levels and T Levels click here.
GCSE retakes or for the first time. Step Up Pathway.
ESOL courses to help you learn English.
Elliott Hudson is another high performing college in Leeds. Again strong competition for a place, so apply early.
This is a specialist building college training people of all ages in all aspects of building and constructing work. They take people with few GCSE grades and raining people all the way up to university degree level,
Here you will find some arts course for 17 and 18 year olds. Look at the Further Education courses. Competition is intense for these courses, so apply early.
This is the specialist part of Leeds City College providing A Levels, T Levels and also a GCSE Step up programme for students who need to take or retake their GCSEs.
UTC LEEDS is another specialist college – engineering and Maths/Sciences.
Depending on where you live you may it more convenient to attend a college in Wakefield, Harrogate or York.
SCHOOL SIXTH FORMS
In addition to Further Education Colleges many local schools have a sixth form dedicated to year 12 and year 13 students. Many of these will offer Level 3 courses such as A Levels and T Levels. As with colleges the entry requirements are usually GCSE grade 4/5 or above. A few sixth form will also offer Level 2 courses such as BTECS which require lower GCSE grades.
NOTE: each college and sixth form can set their own entry requirements so always check out their website.
Some schools have a special arrange with another sixth form. For example Bishop Young C of E Academy has an arrangement with with Abbey Grange C of E Sixth Form. Speak to you school or careers adviser to find out about local provision.
Popular Sixth Forms close to Bishop Young C of E Academy.
Abbey Grange C of E Sixth Form ( not close but see the special arrangement above).
There are many other sixth forms which you can easily find on Start Leeds
Leeds City Council have organised a new website with the ability to search for courses throughout Leeds. You can search for courses, apprenticeship information, colleges or sixth forms near you.
https://apply.startprofile.com/
Reasons NOT to continue your education at sixth form or college.
You do not enjoy academic study and writing
You are ready for a change
You know the job you want and will choose a suitable training course
You need to gain more practical skills
Your attendance, timekeeping or behaviour is poor and you want a ‘fresh start’.
Reasons to choose training towards a job. (Apprenticeship, Traineeship, Study programme)
You know what job (training) you want and you can start if after year 11.
You are ready for a change from school and school rules.
You feel to be ‘grown-up enough’ to start working.
Reasons NOT to choose training towards a job
If you do not know what job you want to do then an apprenticeship is probably NOT for you at this time. Talk to the careers adviser about traineeships and study programme courses.
Choosing your A Levels.
Here is an easy to use tool to help you choose from the Russell Group of Universities.
A little bit of advice for anyone studying A Levels – keep an open mind about degree apprenticeships which give you training AND a full degree with no cost to you. You will get more information from your qualified school careers adviser.