Options After Year 11

Things are changing All qualifications for 14-19 year olds are being reviewed and modernised Why? The world is changing….

14 -19 Pathways All new qualifications fit into one of these pathways: CONSIDER OPTIONS 14 CONSIDER OPTIONS 16 CONSIDER OPTIONS 17 CONSIDER OPTIONS 18 Further education GCSE Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma Foundation or Higher Diploma GCSE / A-Level Higher education Foundation Learning Tier Foundation Learning Tier Apprenticeship post 18 Employment Apprenticeship Employment with training Employment with training

guarantee of learning after Year 11 Post 16 Options School 6th Form Further Education College Apprenticeship Employment with training Work based training course All students have a guarantee of learning after Year 11

Post 16 Courses AS/ A levels Vocationally related courses – e.g.; BTEC National, BTEC First, City & Guilds Work based courses such as NVQ Foundation Learning Tier Diploma There are lots of vocationally related courses that you can do depending on your interests, the career you want to follow and your attainment at GCSEs. Work based courses – such as Apprenticeships – will probably involve an NVQ course – this is a course that assesses how you do a specific job. If you are not yet ready for Level 1 or 2 study then you will work with your teachers or Connexions advisers to put together a personalised programme that suits your own individual talents and dreams. These programmes are pulled together under the title of the Foundation Learning Tier. Ask your SEN Coordinator for more details of how this applies to you

The Diploma Depending on your GCSE grades, you can choose either a Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma Foundation Diplomas are Level 1 qualifications and are worth 5 GCSEs at grades D - G Higher Diplomas are Level 2 qualifications and are worth 7 GCSEs at grades A*- C Advanced Diplomas are Level 3 qualifications and are worth 3.5 A levels at grades A*- E They attract UCAS points like A levels

What’s different about Diplomas? Diplomas are a new qualification made up of lots of smaller parts Diplomas are not just about what you learn but about how you learn it – you will combine theory and practical work so that as well as finding out about things from books and people you will apply your knowledge by doing things in a practical environment

What Diplomas can I study? 14 different Diplomas are being rolled out across the country from September 2010 In this area you can study 8 Diplomas at Levels 1, 2 and 3: Business Administration and Finance (Level 3 only) Construction and the Built Environment (Level 3 only) Creative and Media (via Suffolk ONE) Environmental and Land Based Studies (Level 3 only) Hair and Beauty (Level 1 and 2 only) IT (Level 3 only) Society, Health and Development (Level 3 only) Travel and Tourism (via Suffolk ONE)

How long will a Diploma take? Post 16 Level 1 and 2 Diplomas are one year full time courses Advanced Diplomas are also full time courses and will take two years to complete

Where will I study? Diplomas are provided by groups of schools and colleges working together For Post 16 Diplomas students will attend the lead institution for the Diploma they choose and will be a full time student of that school or college Lead institutions for the Diplomas are:

Where will I study? (continued) Business, Administration & Finance St Alban’s Catholic High School or Suffolk New College Construction & Built Environment Otley College Creative & Media Suffolk One Environmental & Land Based Studies Hair & Beauty Suffolk New College IT Society, Health & Development Level 2 Holywells High School Level 3 Suffolk New College Travel & Tourism

What can I do after a Diploma? Diplomas prepare you for further study, an apprenticeship or employment with training or higher education Diplomas are not specific to any one job but will give you a broad understanding of the types of careers in an area and as such are a good way of finding out if you really want to work in any one area

14 -19 Pathways 14 16 17 18 Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma CONSIDER OPTIONS 14 CONSIDER OPTIONS 16 CONSIDER OPTIONS 17 CONSIDER OPTIONS 18 Further education GCSE Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma Foundation or Higher Diploma GCSE / A-Level Higher education Foundation Learning Tier Foundation Learning Tier Apprenticeship post 18 Employment Apprenticeship Employment with training Employment with training

How do I find out more? Visit the Diploma website at www.yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas where you can find lots of information including video diaries of students currently studying a Diploma Ask your Careers Co-ordinator or Connexions PA You will be learning more in a PSHE lesson shortly – ask your tutor when this will be Places on Diploma courses will be limited

Other courses You can continue to study GCSEs or begin AS and A levels in Year 12 There are also a large range of vocational courses available at Suffolk New College or Otley College Find out more from your local institutions – they will have open evenings and you can find greater detail in their Post 16 prospectus or at www.future4me.org.uk

Apprenticeships An apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn You will need to get a job to be able to complete an apprenticeship Whilst you are working you will also be studying with a training provider to get the qualifications you need to finish your apprenticeship For more information contact the Apprenticeship Champion Victoria Caulder at victoria.caulder@inspire-training.org.uk Or visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Employment Getting a job is another route to take Ask about training – how will your skills and talents be developed by your employer so that you have the chance to progress? After 2013 all employment for 16 year olds will have to have accredited training with it – this is how seriously the government view training

Foundation Learning Tier If you are not yet ready for Level 1 study then you will work with your teachers to put together a personalised programme that suits your own individual talents and dreams. These programmes are pulled together under the title of the Foundation Learning Tier. Ask your SEN Coordinator for more details of how this applies to you

14 -19 Pathways After your Diploma all of these pathways are open to you: CONSIDER OPTIONS 14 CONSIDER OPTIONS 16 CONSIDER OPTIONS 17 CONSIDER OPTIONS 18 Further education GCSE Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma Foundation or Higher Diploma GCSE / A-Level Higher education Foundation Learning Tier Foundation Learning Tier Apprenticeship post 18 Employment Apprenticeship Employment with training Employment with training