During years 10 and 11, students will focus on careers in their PSHE lessons and cover skills such as CV and personal statement writing. They will be guided in researching post-16 options, complete a week of work experience, and supported in the application process to college, sixth form, and apprenticeships.
Many of our leavers stay on to study at our Bridgnorth Sixth Form, although others go on to study at other local colleges and sixth forms.
Colleges and Sixth Forms are an option if you are considering taking A Level qualifications, or vocational courses such as BTECs.
Our Sixth Form prospectus provides more in depth insight into deciding which qualifications are right for you.
- The UCAS website breaks down the various Post-16 qualifications you can take: https://www.ucas.com/
- They also have a helpful quiz if you're unsure on what is right for you: https://www.ucas.com/
- 'Help You Choose' breaks down the application process and provides some top tips: https://helpyouchoose.org/
Watch this video from Which?University on choosing your A Levels.
A Levels
If you already have a career path in mind, then follow this link to check out the possible A Levels that you should consider: https://targetcareers.co.uk/uni/degree-subject-guides
When choosing A levels, keep these three things in mind:
- Do you need it to pursue a particular career?
- Do you enjoy the subject, and are you good at it?
- Have you never done it before but you think it will suit you
Keep your options open
Keep your future options wide open when choosing your A-levels by selecting a smart mix of the most commonly asked-for subjects in university entry requirements.
These are known as ‘facilitating’ subjects and are:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Geography
- History
- Maths
- Modern and classical languages
- Physics
Be aware, some universities openly discourage students from taking certain combinations of A-level subjects, particularly when subjects are very similar like business studies and economics.
Certain Uni courses will look for specific A-levels
This is really important if you have a particular degree in mind. You won’t be able to apply to some degree courses without having taken some specific A-levels (and scored the right grades in them too, of course). Visit the UCAS website for more detailed information about course entry requirements.
Some courses and unis have lists of subjects they don’t accept.
If your subject choices don’t match up, you shouldn’t necessarily discount the course, or be put off from taking a creative or vocational A-level subject you’re really interested in.
BTECs
BTEC qualifications are particular types of work-related qualifications, available in a wide range of subjects. They are available at ALL levels, so there is a level to match the grades you get at GCSE.
One of the main differences between BTECs and A-Levels is the way both are assessed. A-Levels mainly involve two years of study geared towards a few big tests at the end, whereas BTECs are continually assessed via coursework and practical projects.
If you are thinking of going to University then it is important to know that although some Universities do not accept these qualifications, most of them do.
It is important to use UCAS to look at entry requirements for a particular course you wish to study at University.
For those of you thinking about concentrating on one work related course after year 11 and prefer coursework, a more practical way of learning then you may want to look at your local Colleges.
BTECs are offered in three different levels and it normally depends on what you get for GCSE onto which level you can start. There are some courses however such as the construction trades, Hair and Beauty, Catering, Motor Vehicle where you must start at level 1 anyway.
A BTEC level 3 extended diploma course is equivalent in level to A levels (you need mainly 4s in your GCSEs to start at this level). This means that you can apply for most Universities and Higher and Degree Apprenticeships if you want to look at these pathways later.
Some 6th forms and Colleges allow you to take a mixture of A’ levels and BTECs (such as at Bridgnorth Sixth Form) so do some research before applying.
Two good guides below to help you understand the differences between A levels and BTECs.
Where could I go?
Bridgnorth Sixth Form - https://www.bridgnorthsixthform.com/
Shrewsbury College - https://www.scg.ac.uk/courses
Telford College - https://www.telfordcollege.ac.uk/courses/
Kidderminster College - https://www.kidderminster.ac.uk/demographic/full-time/
Wolverhampton College - https://www.wolvcoll.ac.uk/demographic/school-leavers/
North Shropshire College - https://www.nsc.ac.uk/courses/5c59885e1bdeb/FullTime-Courses
Staffordshire College - https://www.southstaffs.ac.uk/courses/
There are also a variety of other schools with 6th Forms.