Year 11 will be a busy year and it will go by much faster than you think it will.
In addition there will be exams and revision, applications to make and more pressures than this year. So give yourself some time out to think about what it is that you want out of your next few years and your life.
If you have access to a Qualified Careers Adviser then do take advantage of that and book an appointment to see them. Ideally they will be external to your school and be able to give you honest, impartial and unbiased advice about all the routes and options open to you, advise you on open days and vists and help you through the maze of choices and decisions..
If not then you will need to do more of your own research.
The main routes after year 11 are
1.School 6th Form College. If your school has a 6th Form and you wish to continue with studies full time and your potential grades are acceptable to the school this may be an option. Do check what courses are on offer to you and what grades they are asking for.
2. College 6th Form. Whether your school has a 6th form or not there may also be other 6th Form colleges you would like to look inot. Some may be larger than you r school 6th form which you may or may not like, the courses may be the same or differetn. Do find out when the open days are and go along for a chat and see what you think.
3.Further Education College. Vocational or academic courses at a College of further education may be the route you wish to take. These are full time courses in a different enviroment of a college. You are in full time education working towards a qualification in specific areas or subjects.
4. Vocational Apprenticeships. Apprenticeships can be a good way of getting on the job training and a qualification while earning. You will need to find out which apprenticeships are available, the qualifications they require and if you are interested in any of the opportunities.
None of these routes after year 11 are better or worse than another. It all depends where you are heading and in what way you prefer to learn.
Do not take one route just because it seems easier or your friends are doing that course, or someone else wants you to do it . Now is the time to think about YOUR future and what YOU really want to do with it.
Please note that for some jobs "A" levels and a subsequent degree are essential and required -examples would be a Vet Surgeon, Doctor, Barrister, Teacher, Surgeon. For other jobs you may learn on the job as an apprentice and still gain qualifications.
Some people like to gain "A" levels and a degree at University for the love of learning and the subjects and the University experience. For others it may be that plus the need to gain those specific qualifications to do the career they want.
Some people prefer to do their learning and gain all necessary qualifications while earning and the career they are focusing on is ideally served through an apprenticeship.
Start now and take your time to look into all the options equally.
We will be posting more about the choices presented by each of these options in coming posts and more on how to do your own research.
