1. Herschel Grammar School
Choices After Year 11
Herschel Grammar School
July 2018
Helen Cole

2. Aim of Session Choices after Year 11 Herschel requirements
Do you need a backup plan?
Issues to consider

3. Options After Year 11 Full time study Apprenticeship
School
College - A levels
- Vocational course
Apprenticeship
You are employed and studying for qualifications. You are
paid a training salary.

4. School Important to begin thinking about your plans after Year 11 NOW
Limited time to think and make applications once you are in Year 11
You start making choices about your A levels in September/October
School 6th forms have early deadlines for application eg December / January

5. School Entry requirements for the 6th form
APS of 45 calculated on the best 8 GCSEs
At least a grade 5 in Maths
At least a grade 5 in English Language or English Literature
Chosen A levels will have subject specific requirements
For example:
Maths A level requires a grade 7 GCSE Maths
Economics requires a grade 6 in Maths and
English Language or Literature

6. A Levels Likely to be Available at Herschel……..Can Change…..
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Computer Science
D&T: Product Design
Economics
English Literature
French
Geography
Government & Politics
History
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
Physical Education
Sociology
Spanish
Theatre Studies
Baylis Court Subjects

7. If your APS is borderline, it is very important that you begin to think about a backup plan!
This could be:
Other 6th forms in Slough or elsewhere
Colleges
Apprenticeships

8. Other 6th Forms Other grammar schools may be difficult…… Consider:
Burnham Grammar (possibly)
Langley Academy
Westgate
Slough and Eton
St Joseph’s
Windsor Boys
Windsor Girls
Wexham
Beechwood

9. Colleges Windsor Forest Colleges Group, Langley
Windsor Forest Colleges Group, Windsor
Windsor Forest Colleges Group, Strodes College
Uxbridge College
BCA
Henley College
Brooklands College
Reading College
Bracknell and Wokingham College
Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
West Thames College
Richmond College
Buckinghamshire Colleges Group (Amersham and Wycombe)

10. College A levels BTEC courses – Level 3 Vocational
12 units – (Double) 2 A levels
18 units - (Extended) 3 A levels
BTEC Level 3 – Course work based with some tests / exams

11. BTEC Courses Engineering Business Science (Sports, Forensic, Medical)
Health and Social Care
Performing Arts
Art and Design
Public Services
Computing
Sports Studies
Travel and Tourism
Media
Horse Management
Animal Management
AND MANY MORE!

12. Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are open to people of all ages. You are employed and study for qualifications in the work place.
There are different levels of apprenticeship available:
Intermediate Apprenticeships
Advanced Apprenticeships
Higher Level Apprenticeships
Degree Level Apprenticeships

13. Our Traditional View of Apprenticeships……

14. The Reality…….

15. IT Advanced / Higher Level /Degree Apprenticeships
MI5
GCHQ
Google
IBM
Cisco
Microsoft
Atos
Accenture
British Airways
Avco Systems
Capgemini
CA Technologies
Telefonica
QA – Training Provider – Apprenticeships in systems and networking, software and web development

16. CGI Logica
Met Office
Virgin Media
Just IT
GlaxoSmithKline
Transport For London
Fujitsu
National Grid
Santander
Thales
Unilever
Dyson

17. Construction/Engineering/Surveying
Network Rail
AWE (Atomic Weapons Establishment)
Costain
Amey
Foster Wheeler
Defence Engineering and Science Group
Virgin Media
EDF Energy
Laing O’Rourke
E.ON
Airbus
British Airways
BAE Systems

18. Where To Find an Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship information and vacancies at:
(School leavers)

19. Choosing A levels
Choose subjects which interest you. DON’T choose a subject because you ought to…!
Which are your strongest subjects?
There are new subjects you can consider at A level.
Check course content.

20. Combining A level Subjects
Choose best subjects for you!
There is no “perfect combination” of subjects
Do you have a career aim? Are specific subjects needed?
Do some research. Get the facts!
Check entrance requirements for careers
Use the Which? University A Level Explorer
Watch the Russell Group video
Read “Informed Choices” produced
by the Russell Group of Universities

21. Some university degrees DO need specific subjects
Medicine
Vet Science All need Chemistry
Dentistry
Physiotherapy Science – ideally Biology
Engineering Maths and Physics

22. Hospitality Management
Some university degrees DO NOT need specific A levels
Business Studies
Sociology
Social Work
Hospitality Management
Marketing

27. Your School Careers Website
Can access:
Kudos
Eclips
Which? University A level Explorer
Information and guidance from the Russell Group of Universities on A level choice
Apprenticeships and school leaver programmes
Information on higher level and degree apprenticeships
Direct links to college websites
Information on letters of application / CVs / interview tips
Direct links to websites careers websites NHS / The Medic Portal / Careers in Sport / Prospects

28. Independent Advice and Guidance
Careers Adviser – Tuesdays (Including lunchtime drop-in session)
Mr Wilkins organises the careers interviews. You will be notified.
- 1-1 interviews
- Group sessions - Law, Engineering, Sport, IT, Medicine, Dentistry, Banking and Finance

29. TO CONCLUDE: Be aware of options available in the 6th form
Be aware of your APS. If it is borderline, you will need to consider a backup plan……
Think carefully about your A level choice
If interested in college, attend OPEN DAYS
If interested in apprenticeships, look at information on your school website the Adviza website / go to the apprenticeship websites / speak to me
If considering apprenticeships, have a back up plan i.e. college
Use Eclips, Kudos, Which? A level Explorer
If you are thinking about university, go on the UCAS website
Apply for college, 6th form, apprenticeships in
good time!