1. Post 16 Opportunities Evening Wednesday 16 th September 2015

2. Aims for the evening ● To outline the opportunities available for students Post 16 ● To outline the legal requirements ● To meet representatives from colleges, companies & organisations ● To highlight key events and dates ● To collect your Post 16 information booklet containing key deadlines

3. The law has changed... ● Students must continue in education or training until the end of the school year in which they are 18 years old. ● Students can continue their education at a school, college, a specialist provider or in a workplace. ● Students must continue studying English Language and / or mathematics if they do not achieve a GCSE grade C or above.

4. Factors to consider when choosing a college ● Do they offer the courses that you want? ● What are the facilities like? ● Can you travel to the college? ● Do you like the feeling/ethos of the college? ● Do they offer guidance and support? ● Have you considered what you will do – progression routes?

5. A levels What are the entry requirements? College entry requirements may vary. A minimum of 6 A* - C grades at GCSE including English and mathematics. Many courses require a minimum of five B grades. Check any subject specific requirements, e.g. Biology A level requires at least a B in biology and maths.

6. New A level courses from 2016 Find out... Two years and then exams? or AS + A level = exams in year 12 and 13? or A combination of both.

7. How many A levels will you study? Ask the question … Three A levels - check that the college offers the subject combinations you want. Four A levels - dropping one after year 12? What about the University requirements? Look at UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/ https://www.ucas.com/

8. Vocational Courses Career based courses available at different levels (with a practical element): ●BTECs, e.g. Business, IT, Sport, Public Services ●NVQs, e.g. Construction, Motor Vehicle, Catering Some BTECs can be combined with academic A levels Level 3 vocational courses require minimum 5 GCSEs A*-C including maths and English

9. Apprenticeships ● Formal qualifications and highly specific work skills. ● Entry requirements vary according to level of apprenticeship. ● You must be employed to follow an apprenticeship route. Training takes between 1- 5 years to complete. ● Higher level apprenticeships offer an alternative to university. ● Traineeships - pre-apprenticeship courses. ● National Apprenticeship Service vacancy database - details in the online booklet.

10. Making the right decision ● Careers interview by request. ● Careers drop-in sessions October and November to assist with the applications process. ● College open days - October and November. ● All applications submitted to Ms Hart by 23 rd November 2015 (except St Paul’s and Collyer’s which are submitted online). ● January-March 2016 - college interviews. ● Exam results - be available for enrolment and interviews soon after.