1. Post 16 Progression Pathways for ESOL Students A Guide for Young People and their Parents and Carers
Funded and supported by the
LEICESTER EDUCATION STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Researched by LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL (Connexions)

2. 1
What the law says about education for young people in the UK The age young people ‘leave school’ in the UK is 18 years, although in practice most young people continue until the end of the academic year in which they turn 18. Every child should participate in some form of accredited education or training up until the age of 18. This can be further education at a school, sixth form or further education college; a traineeship or apprenticeship; vocational or study programme; or a voluntary placement with part-time learning. Staying in education or moving into high quality training helps give young people the skills and qualifications that employers are looking for. Money Matters and Transport When your child is offered a place at college, ask your school or college about financial help. Most colleges arrange transport or a bus pass for their students. The City Council offers a reduced price bus pass to get to school or college. Students must live more than 3 miles from the college, and if you are studying outside the city, your course should not also be offered at a city college > Transport to school and college

3. 2
English for Speakers of Other Languages Courses (ESOL) Students who wish to improve their English may study ‘ESOL’ in school and then later continue this at a college or community centre. Post-16 ESOL courses include not only English, but also maths, ICT and employability. Skills assessments are completed by the education provider – to identify the student’s existing level of ability in English and maths, so they can be supported to achieve at the next level. It is not unusual for a young person to be studying different subjects at different levels, for example study at Entry 2 for English, but at (a higher) Level 1 for maths. The diagram on the following slide shows the spectrum of Functional Skills levels used to deliver ESOL courses. A later slide – Post-16 Progression Pathways – illustrates how these levels equate to GCSE and what a young person can move into after they have improved their English UCAS Progress Students in Year 11 will be supported by their school to make online applications to further education and training. This is via the UCASProgress website - each individual has their own log-in and can use the search facility to look for colleges and courses. Applications go directly to the provider who will interview the young person and make an offer as appropriate

4. 16-19 ESOL Provision in Leicester City3
16-19 ESOL Provision in Leicester City
Level 2
Broad equivalent to Grade 4 at GCSE
Level 1
Broad equivalent to Grade 3 at GCSE
Entry 3
Broad equivalent to Grades below 3 at GCSE
Entry 2
Entry 1

5. ENTRY LEVEL, LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 COURSES4
Functional Skills
Subjects: English, Maths, ICT
Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1, Level 2
Can study in school years
Framework for post-16 ESOL courses
Framework for Study Programmes
Study alongside Entry, Level 1 and 2
vocational courses, e.g. plumbing,
hairdressing, catering & hospitality
GCSE
Subjects: e.g. English, Maths, Sciences,
Arts, Languages, Humanities
2 year courses
Level 2
Studied in school years
Some colleges offer a post-16 ‘GCSE
Pathway’
ENTRY LEVEL, LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2 COURSES
Occupational (b)
Traineeship
Level 1, Level 2
Usually 12 weeks to six months
Includes Functional Skills, work experience and Employability
Can be thought of as a
‘pre-apprenticeship’ option
Vocational
Subjects: linked to occupational areas, e.g.
Business, Motor Vehicle, Travel & Tourism
One year courses
Pre-entry, Entry 1,2,3, Level 1, Level 2
Sometimes studied in school years
Many colleges offer vocational courses up
to and including Level 2
Offered by local training providers
Occupational (a)
Apprenticeship
Level 2 – ‘Intermediate Apprenticeship’
Have a job – learn skills in the workplace
Theory and assessments supported by a
college or training provider
Entry: employers and training providers
may ask for Level 1 quals in English and Maths

6. 5 LEVEL 3 COURSES A Levels Usually studied between 16 and 18 years
Two year courses
Offered at sixth form/ sixth form colleges
Assessment: mostly by written
examination at the end of the second year
Wide range of subjects available – from
English to Psychology to Law and Ancient
History
Entry: a minimum five GCSEs at Grades 4-9
to include Maths and English
What is Level 3?
Sometimes referred to as ‘advanced’ level
Entry: Level 2 in English & Maths required
Can confer points for entry to university
LEVEL 3 COURSES
Occupational
Apprenticeship
Level 3 – ‘Advanced Apprenticeship’
Have a job – learn skills in the workplace
Theory and assessments supported by a
college or training provider
Entry: four GCSEs at Grades 4-9 / completion L2 App’ship
Progression: Higher Apprenticeship, other Level 4
vocational
Vocational
Examples: BTEC, NVQ, OCR Cambridge Technicals
Usually studied from years
Often 2 year courses
Offered at sixth form, FE colleges and training providers
Assessment is varied: can be controlled assessment,
multiple choice, written examinations, practicals and so on
Wide range of subjects available – from ICT to
Engineering to Health & Social Care and Public Services
Entry: often a minimum four GCSEs at Grades 4-9
to include Maths and English

7. LEVEL 4 COURSES AND ABOVE6
Level 4 and above
What is Level 4 and above ?
Sometimes referred to as ‘higher education’
Entry: Level 3 qualifications required
Further education colleges often have a higher
education department – not just university!
Vocational – Levels 4 and 5
NVQs
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Higher National Diploma (HND)
Foundation Degrees
Usually studied 18 + years
Often two year courses
Offered by FE colleges and universities
Entry: Level 3 and 4 qualifications
LEVEL 4 COURSES AND ABOVE
Level 6
Bachelor degree
Postgraduate Certificate Education
(for teaching)
Graduate diplomas
Level 7
Masters degree
Level 8
Doctorate
Occupational
Apprenticeship
Level 4 and above – ‘Higher or Degree Apprenticeship’
Have a job – learn skills in the workplace
Theory and assessments supported by a
college or university
Entry: Level 3, 4 or 5 qualifications

8. 7
Foundation Learning and Study Programmes ‘Foundation Learning’ describes those options designed to help young people progress – an example of this is a ‘Study Programme.’ Study programmes offer Functional Skills alongside vocational training, to help build confidence and employability. There are several training providers across the city offering this kind of support – they can be general programmes, where the learner can decide what occupational area to focus on, or they may include training specific to a particular job type – such as Catering, Health & Social Care, Motor Vehicle or Construction. Entry requirements: there are often no specific entry qualifications, but the student must be able to show commitment to his or her general education. Study programmes can support a young person to reach up to Level 2 in their Functional Skills, and to achieve accreditation from any vocational training that forms part of the course. Vocational Learning – e.g. BTEC, OCR, Cambridge Technicals After school, students often choose to continue with their education, and may apply to a college for a ‘vocational course’. This simply means a course that focusses on an occupational area, such as Hairdressing or Construction. They are offered from Entry Level to Level 3 and above, and Level 3 qualifications can offer a pathway to university. There are some exams, but courses mainly involve controlled assessments (supervised ‘coursework’).

9. 8
Apprenticeships A young person has an apprenticeship when they have a job and are working towards a qualification. They learn in a practical way by taking on a job role in the workplace, and may attend a college or training provider one day per week to work on the theory and assessments. There are hundreds of apprenticeship job roles in England, and these opportunities are at ‘Intermediate’, ‘Advanced’ and ‘Higher’ levels. Entry requirements: Opportunities may say that no specific qualifications are required, although in reality for intermediate apprenticeships a young person often needs a Functional Skills Level 1 or above in English and maths, or a Grade 3 for both at GCSE. Advanced and higher apprenticeships will ask for higher level qualifications. The national apprenticeships website – - should hold every apprenticeship opportunity in Leicester, and young people can register and apply online to vacancies. The Leicester Employment Hub can support young people with applications, and holds Hub 100 Events each month – these are opportunities for young people to secure a guaranteed interview with an employer –

10. 9
Traineeships A traineeship is a training programme for year olds who want to get a job or apprenticeship but need extra help to prepare for the world of work. Traineeships offer work experience, employability and help to further improve maths and English HOW TO CHOOSE * speak to teachers and to people who know you well * think about how you like to learn * research using UCASProgress, college and apprenticeship websites * Visit open days and careers fairs * speak to a careers adviser

11. 10
Contacts for City Sixth Forms and Colleges City Of Leicester College English Martyrs Catholic School Contact form is on website Gateway College Leicester College New College St Pauls Catholic School WQE / Regent Road Campus

12. City Schools with Sixth Forms .11
City Schools with Sixth Forms .
St Paul’s Catholic School
The City of Leicester College
English Martyrs’ Catholic School
New College

13. City Sixth Form and Further Education Colleges .12
City Sixth Form and Further Education Colleges .
WQE and the Regent Road Campus
Gateway
College
Leicester College

14. 13 2 5 1 3 4 7 6 9 8 Colleges & Sixth Forms 1 – New College
2 – English Martyrs
3 – LC – Abbey Campus
4 – LC – St Margaret’s Campus
5 – Gateway College
6 – City of Leicester College
7 – St Paul’s
8 – WQE
9 – LC – Freemans Campus 2 5 1 3 4 7 6 9 8

15. Footnote: Adult ESOL Provision in Leicester City14
Footnote: Adult ESOL Provision in Leicester City
A Note on ESOL provision for Over – 19 year olds in Leicester City:
This project has focussed on post-16 ESOL provision for young people.
Adult ESOL classes are delivered at Leicester College and at community centres around the city.
For more information, please contact:
Lasals - Adult Education College – 2 Wellington Street, LE1 6HL –
Futures Leicester – 82 Charles Street, LE1 1FB –