1. Cirencester Deer Park School Post 16 Parents’ Information Evening Thursday 8 October 2009 7pm to 8pm Your Journey Continues…

2. Cirencester Deer Park School Colleagues Libby Reed – Cirencester College Nicola Styler – Stroud College in Gloucestershire

3. Cirencester Deer Park School Aims for the Evening Start thinking about Post 16 Options Make people aware of the different types of routes available Post 16 Highlight the make up of the different courses Highlight the Open Evenings that are approaching

4. Cirencester Deer Park School AS and A ‘levels An introduction

5. Cirencester Deer Park School What are they? Level 3 qualifications AS forms the first year and is a qualification in its own right If the student studies for a further year they can gain the A2 part of the qualification to form the whole A ‘level

6. Cirencester Deer Park School The advantages Allows students to keep their options open or to specialise Most students study four subjects at AS level There is a huge choice of subjects Recognised by Universities and employers

7. Cirencester Deer Park School What entry requirements do you need? Mainly C grades at GCSE from a recommended list of subjects Some subjects and courses may need a B grade Colleges and schools entry requirements vary

8. Cirencester Deer Park School How many hours will you study and how will you be assessed? The average time allocation of teaching hours is five per subject You will need to study for a further five hours outside class Assessment can be by examination, practical or coursework, though this is cut back from 2008

9. Cirencester Deer Park School Changes to AS and A-levels from Sept 2008 These include: An A* grade at A-level Fewer units in some subjects to reduce examination pressure The introduction of the extended project EPQ, worth half an A-level, encouraging research and planning Applied AS and A-levels will not be re-structured

10. Cirencester Deer Park School What do the grades mean? Grades A* to E represent a pass at AS or A’ level The AS is worth 50% of the full A’ level Universities tend to make offers in UCAS tariff points but can use grades or numbers of AS and A-levels

11. Cirencester Deer Park School What are UCAS Tariff Points? An A grade at AS = 60 points A B grade at AS = 50 points A C grade at AS = 40 points A D grade at AS = 30 points An E grade at AS = 20 points The full A level will be double the above tariff Look at Entry Profiles on www.ucas.ac.uk

12. Cirencester Deer Park School National Awards, Certificates and Diplomas No examinations, all assignment based Opportunities to refine and improve work Equivalent to A-levels in tariff points Vocational e.g. Animal Management, Business, Countryside Management, ICT, Media, Performing Arts, Public Services and Sport Two year courses in most cases

13. Cirencester Deer Park School Vocational & Applied Courses

14. Cirencester Deer Park School Career Based Courses BTEC Diplomas, NVQs etc. Prepare you for employment in a particular industry e.g Business, Beauty, IT, Media Provides in-depth knowledge of that career, together with employer links Taught by tutors who have worked in the particular industry concerned Specialist equipment available

15. Cirencester Deer Park School Delivery Coursework rather than exams Assignments, reports and projects which extend knowledge and skills within the subject area Placements organised by college or school Progression as knowledge gained

16. Cirencester Deer Park School Qualification Levels

17. Cirencester Deer Park School UCAS Points

18. Cirencester Deer Park School Work Based Route

19. Cirencester Deer Park School Benefits Earn while you learn Help with employment search Support whilst on programmes –Reviews –Support in workplace –Mentoring/coaching

20. Cirencester Deer Park School Occupational Areas Business & Administration Computing & I.T. Hairdressing Beauty Therapy Hospitality Domestic Heating Public Services Customer Service Electrical Installation & sustainable energy Plumbing Brickwork Carpentry and Joinery –Care, Health & Early years Care Art, Design and Media*

21. Cirencester Deer Park School Employment Status Must have an Employer to FINISH Programme ( we assist you with this) LSC recommend £95 per week minimum or National Minimum Wage dependent on age Regular Progress Reviews by an assigned Training Coordinator

22. Cirencester Deer Park School Apprenticeship/Advanced Apprenticeship NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 Key Skills Employment Responsibilities and Rights Technical Certificate Apprenticeship Certificate Length of stay is dependant upon Occupational area

23. Cirencester Deer Park School Entry Requirements You will need to achieve at least a GCSE D grade in English, Maths and in some areas a science based subject. (Construction, Hairdressing, Hospitality and Motor Vehicle) For Business Administration you will need to achieve a GCSE C grade in English and 3 GCSE’s D grades including maths. For Domestic Heating/Plumbing you will need 3 GCES’s in Maths, English and Science grade C or above For Accounting GCSE grade C and above in Maths and English For an Electrical apprenticeship you will need 5 GCSE’s grade C and above incl. English, maths and science

24. Cirencester Deer Park School Key Skills Key skills are a central part of all Apprenticeships. The framework for each apprenticeship specifies which key skills are required and at what level. Key skills are exam and portfolio based, however if you have certain GCSE grades you may be exempt from these.

25. Cirencester Deer Park School National Apprenticeship Service www.apprenticeships.org.uk

26. Cirencester Deer Park School Entry 2 Employment Programme For young people who are currently capable of achieving a level 1 NVQ or part of a level 2 NVQ or are unsure of a career direction. You will have extra support through your programme If you are entitled to EMA you will receive this whilst you are on the programme Length of stay is subject to individual needs usually 1 year

27. Cirencester Deer Park School What to do next  Apply now  Initial Assessment - assesses current numerical and literacy skill levels  Interview with Training Coordinator - to determine suitability for the Apprenticeship - to identify any additional study or social support requirements - to clarify employment status

28. Cirencester Deer Park School Letter of acceptance - conditional on suitable employment being secured -availability of college course/places -attainment of correct GCSE grades OR Referral - E2E, Full time courses, Student Services for further advice or Connexions

29. Cirencester Deer Park School What Next? Be proactive in your approach Visit Open Evenings Ask questions about assessment Find out about strengths of institutions Have a back up plan –Make more than one application

30. Cirencester Deer Park School Dates for Your Diary 15 October – Stroud College Open Evening 17 October– Cirencester College Open Day 10.00 to 3.00 24 October – Hartpury College Open Day 12 November – Swindon College Open Evening 12 November – Stroud College Open Evening 12 November – Marling School, Stroud High School Sixth Form 19 November – Farmor’s Open Evening 24 & 26 November – Gloucestershire College Open Evening 28 November – Hartpury College Open Day

31. Cirencester Deer Park School Your Journey Continues…