1. Year 11 Post GCSE Options
The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to share with you information about what happens after GCSEs. I hope that by the end of this short session, you will feel better equipped to support your child as they move from one phase of their education to the next and also I hope that you will feel reassured that the school has clear systems in place to ensure that everyone moves on to that next phase confidently.

2. Objectives of this session:
Be aware of what is on offer post 16 locally.
Be aware of the entry requirements for the courses on offer.
Know where/ how to find out more information about the courses you are interested in.
Be aware of your next steps for post 16 applications.

3. Dorset employment study- April 2016.
Let’s dispel a myth first. People talk about the school leaving age as having gone up but that isn’t true. Your child IS allowed to leave school at 16 BUT is expected to stay in either full-time education or in employment with training until the age of 18. This means they can go to college, sixth form, take an apprenticeship or work with an employer who offers their own training and development scheme.
We pride ourselves on the fact that it is on average only 1 – 1.5% of our students each year who are classified as NEET by the end of year 12. This means that all but about 3 of our leavers in any one year drop out of the education course that we have helped them to apply for. I guess that the partnership of All Saints students, their parents, the staff and an excellent careers advice provider in the form of Ansbury, means that we got this about right. Hopefully that track record will continue this year.

5. Students are expected to stay on full time education or employment with training until the age of 18. English and Maths: 4+ needed or you need to study them until 18 or until you get a 4 in both.
6th Form at a school- A levels, BTECS.
College- A levels, Btecs, Diplomas, NVQs.
Apprenticeships: level 2, 3 or 4.
Employment with training
Let’s dispel a myth first. People talk about the school leaving age as having gone up but that isn’t true. Your child IS allowed to leave school at 16 BUT is expected to stay in either full-time education or in employment with training until the age of 18. This means they can go to college, sixth form, take an apprenticeship or work with an employer who offers their own training and development scheme.
We pride ourselves on the fact that it is on average only 1 – 1.5% of our students each year who are classified as NEET by the end of year 12. This means that all but about 3 of our leavers in any one year drop out of the education course that we have helped them to apply for. I guess that the partnership of All Saints students, their parents, the staff and an excellent careers advice provider in the form of Ansbury, means that we got this about right. Hopefully that track record will continue this year.

6. At what level can you study?
Entry level:
For qualifications that will enable access to future courses at level 1 or level 2
Level 1:
GCSEs grades G-D
GCSE grades 1-3
BTECs, Diplomas and other certificates at level 1
Level 2:
GCSEs grades C – A*
GCSE grades 4-9
BTECs , NVQs, apprenticeships at level 2
Level 3:
EAs/A-levels
BTEC, NVQs, apprenticeships at level 3
I want everyone to know about the different levels of study available after yr11.
Colleges in our area offer courses at entry level and at level 1. Remember that level 1 is up to and including GCSE grade D.
Colleges also offer plenty of level 2 courses in vocational subjects which is a really good entry point for some students. They also offer level 3 courses. These are A-levels or A-level equivalent courses and are for most students the next stage in their education. This means for the majority of you, your decision is about whether or not you want to go to a college or a school-based sixth form.

7. Where could you study? Budmouth College Weymouth College
Thomas Hardye School
Kingston Maurward College
Poole
Bournemouth
Yeovil
These are the most common choices. However, there is also Exeter maths school, set up in association with the university and college in Exeter and designed to cater for the mathematically able. There is also South Wilts University technical college which specialises in science and engineering. You can find out more about these by looking one the Dorset for you website. You have a web address for that in the booklet on our website. I will also post the powerpoint on the school website so that you can use the links on it too.

8. What’s The Difference?
Kingston Maurward – land-based courses and courses with an environmental or animal-care focus.
Weymouth College – wide range of courses from construction and hair and beauty to child-care, public services training, Art and Performing Arts. Also offers a good range of A-levels.
Budmouth College and Thomas Hardye’s School – good for traditional A-Level courses but there are some BTEC/vocational courses too.
How do you choose?
Please don’t choose on the basis of friendship groups or where your older brother or sister went.
Think about whether you feel ready to switch from a smallish school environment where you are one of the oldest to a college where you might be one of the youngest. Colleges don’t have tutor groups and lots of people keeping tabs on you. Are you self-disciplined enough and independent enough to cope. It’s a brilliant half-way house to university life but is it right for you now?
School sixth form will offer a bit more independence and give you a bit more responsibility but are the courses different enough for you? Colleges offer all kinds of really interesting vocational courses that schools don’t have the capacity to do. This means that college offers a very different and potentially exciting experience so maybe that’s best for you?
Maybe you aren’t really sure of the career direction you want to head in? Your are after all only 16. I didn’t know at that age. If this is the case then maybe a sixth form with its broad and balanced curriculum containing subjects with which you are familiar but also some new and interesting things such as psychology, sociology and law is the best place for you.
Keep an open mind and make sure that you visit Budmouth and Hardyes and Weymouth College or Kingston Maurward. Don’t close down your options too soon.

9. Entry Requirements
Level 2 courses: 4 or 5 GCSE grades 3 or D. Level 3 courses: GCSE grade 4-9 or A*-C BUT grade 5/ 6/ 7 /8 required for A levels. ie Hardye’s: minimum 6 in the subject you want to study Weymouth College asks for a 7 in Maths and Chemistry at GCSE if you want on carry on with that subject.
So, now is the time to start exploring what you might do. Research the course entry requirements for courses in which you might be interested. This will give you a feel for what’s out there and what each institution is looking for from its students. Reflect on how likely or unlikely you are to make the grades they ask for if you keep to your current pattern of learning behaviour.

10. Research the Course Entry Requirements
Engineering level 2:
Minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade 3+ including English and Maths. You should have good attendance at your previous school and demonstrate enthusiasm and motivation at interview.
Electric Installation level 2:
4 GCSEs at minimum grade 3+ or equivalent, including English, Maths and Science. A positive working attitude.
Beauty Therapy Diploma level 2:
2 GCSEs including English and Science at grade 4+, Maths would be an advantage.
So, now is the time to start exploring what you might do. Research the course entry requirements for courses in which you might be interested. This will give you a feel for what’s out there and what each institution is looking for from its students. Reflect on how likely or unlikely you are to make the grades they ask for if you keep to your current pattern of learning behaviour.

11. Research the Course Entry Requirements
BTEC level 3 Business and Enterprise:
4 grades 4+ including either English or Maths. Both preferred.
Art and Design level 3 extended Diploma:
5 GCSEs at minimum grade C including Art and English, and preferably Maths. Basic computer literacy. A portfolio of your own artwork showing a broad range of creative skills
Maths A-Level level 3:
5 GCSEs at minimum of grade 5+ (general) including English and Maths. 6+ in Maths.
So, now is the time to start exploring what you might do. Research the course entry requirements for courses in which you might be interested. This will give you a feel for what’s out there and what each institution is looking for from its students. Reflect on how likely or unlikely you are to make the grades they ask for if you keep to your current pattern of learning behaviour.

12. Apprenticeships Combine work with study;
Offer work next to experienced staff
Develop job-specific skills
Earn a wage and get holiday pay
Provide study towards a related qualification (usually one day a week)
Take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level.
A word about apprenticeships. For some of you this might be the ideal scenario. This is what an apprenticeship can offer. There are links you can follow if you download this powerpoint explaining more about apprenticeships. If you are interested in finding out more about this pathway, see me or Mr Gibson or Mr Sadler to ask for an appointment with Kate Sandercock, our careers consultant.

13. Levels of apprenticeship
An apprenticeship has an equivalent education level and can be:
Intermediate - equivalent to 5 GCSE passes
Advanced - equivalent to 2 A level passes
Higher - can lead to NVQ Level 4 and above, or a foundation degree
Who can apply
You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school. To start one, you’ll need to be:
16 or over
living in England
not in full-time education

14. Sources of information and help
Open Evenings
Prospectuses
Careerscape and Kudos online support
Ansbury On-line Adviser service.
Careers Consultant – Helen Bull.
What sources of help are available?
Prospectuses tend to be online now so make sure you look at them. Some hard copies do come our way and these will be given to you when we have them. WC ones will be with us in early October.

15. Deadline Monday 11th December 2017
This term:
Post 16 assembly
Information and advice from tutors
Careers guidance (short appointments/ longer appointments)
Talks by visiting institutions
Open Evenings
Applications for 6th Form and/ or College
Deadline Monday 11th December 2017
So PSHE lessons will include lots of information and advice about post-16 options.
You might have a follow-up careers interview, building on the one you had in the summer term. If you suddenly find you need a re-think and another careers appointment is needed then tell us and it can be arranged.

16. Visiting Institution Talks during PSHE
Thomas Hardye School Thursday 5th October Budmouth College Thursday 12th October. Weymouth College Tuesday 5th September Kingston Maurward College Thursday 14th September

17. What Needs To Be Done:
Look at the institution prospectuses : online, some hard copies will be given out in school.
Check the entry requirements for the courses in which you are interested. Make sure that you are likely to meet those requirements.
Complete your application forms. Make sure you have a plan B- different entry requirements.
Check the websites of the schools and colleges for information about their open evenings; register if needed (Weymouth/ Kingston Maurward).
We have already had a successful visit by Weymouth College, providing information about different courses and providing students with an opportunity to speak to others currently taking the courses. Other institutions such as Hardye’s and Budmouth will also come and talk about life in their sixth forms.
We do need you to have completed your applications by 12th December. You do want you to apply to more than one place and also to have a back-up plan. What if I cant get on this course, what will I apply for in case that happens? What if I don’t get into the institution I want? Where else would I like to try?
Incidentally, you can accept ALL offers and not finally decide until the summer term.

18. Open Days
Weymouth College: Sat 7th October, 10am-1pm. Kingston Maurward Sat 15th October, Sun 11th November, Sun 10th December all 10am-12pm. Colleges ask you to preregister for Open Days on their websites. Budmouth College Thurs 9th November, 6.00pm in the Main Hall. Thomas Hardye School Thurs 19th October, pm.

19. What now? Visit at least TWO institutions.
Ask for another careers appointment if you think you need more help and advice (Mr Sadler, Mrs Kidner, Mrs Windybank).
Discuss apprenticeships – if that’s what appeals to you – with Mrs Windybank, Mrs Stratton or with Helen Bull (Ansbury).
Browse some university websites to explore the range of courses on offer and the sort of A-levels or Level 3 qualifications required.
Attend sessions offered by school about A levels/ apprenticeships/ university.

20. And finally…
Be clear about what you would like your level of success to be and plan how you are going to make it happen. This means:
Good work habits
Avoiding burning the candle at both ends!
Starting revision early
Developing resilience
Remember also that you need grade 4 in English and maths and that if you want to do a level 3 course – even if you want to do a level 2 course, the institution you go to will make you sit the exam again if you don’t get it. So, please work hard to achieve the grade you need the first time around! You have science ISAs coming up on 19th October. Make sure you are prepared for them. Work steadily through the year. rather than cramming at the end.
Never feel that you cannot achieve, everyone can do better if they commit themselves to making the effort and putting the work in.

21. Useful links
colleges-in-Dorset