Choices at 16
There's a lot going on in your last year at high school. You will more than likely be completing your GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, so there will be lots of revision and course work to do.
You will also need to make some big decisions on what you want to do next. There are a lot of possible places to learn; you can stay in full time education or work and learn at the same time. Somewhere in all these possibilities there is a choice that's perfect for you.
What to do?
When you are in your final year at school you'll need to make some big decisions. There are three basic options to choose from:
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continue your education at a further education college, sixth form college or school sixth form
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go into work-based learning and employment with training, eg, an Apprenticeship
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go into a job without training
Whether it is at school, college or at work, the main thing to do is to keep on learning! Constantly challenging yourself and gaining qualifications will mean that you build your skills and knowledge and have the certificates to prove it!
Continue your education
There are are many excellent providers of post-16 learning in Bolton; several of the schools have sixth forms, and we have a specialist sixth form college and a general further education college in the town. We also have many well established work based learning providers (often referred to as Training Providers). View their learning offers online at www.mycoursemyfuture.com/bolton.
What you can study depends on the qualifications you get in year 11 as well as what each post-16 provider has to offer.
You can expand on the subjects you did at GCSE level like English, history and maths or you can study new subjects like economics or philosophy. Here is a general overview of the types of qualifications you can choose from:
- A Levels
- BTECs or similar qualifications
- Advanced Level Diplomas
- Re-sit GCSEs – usually this means re-sitting essential subjects like English or maths, or where you just missed getting a grade "C"
To make sure you get it right you’ll need to:
- Talk to your Personal Adviser
- Go to college and sixth form open evenings to get a feel for different places and the courses on offer
- Get the exam grades you need
Make sure the subjects you choose to study now match your career aspirations. Check degree course entry requirements and careers information to see what subjects you will need longer term.
Learn while you work
This is great if you would like to earn money and carry on learning at the same time. You get the best of both worlds: gaining valuable work experience and gaining nationally recognised qualifications at the same time.
- Apprenticeships. As an apprentice you will work (and earn) as well as receive training. Training will be held at a college or other local training provider, where you will gain an NVQ in your chosen field as well other qualifications like technical certificates.
- Other companies offer on-the-job training with a recognised qualification attached to them.
Jobs without training
Although it may seem very tempting to go straight into work - especially when you have spent such a large part of your life already in education - in the long term it is likely to stop you from moving on and getting better paid or more challenging work.