What are my Options After Secondary School

You have a number of options after secondary school including Apprenticeships, A Levels and T Levels. You could have the option to resit some of your exams if needed. In addition, there are specialist courses for those interested in the Performing Arts. Plus, there are more inclusive programmes offered by colleges to teach key life skills to students with learning disabilities.

It is now a legal requirement in the UK for young people to remain in education until they are 18 years old. But there are a number of options you can consider to place you on the right path for your future career.

N.B: If you are thinking of attending university after you complete further education be sure to check which university you want to attend and what course you want to study before you make your post-16 choices. You need to choose the right further education course to meet the requirements of the university you want to attend.

Advanced Levels (A Levels)

These are the traditional academic qualifications that will enable you to go to university and study at an even higher level. If you like reading tons of books and writing long essays, or if you want to delve deeper into understanding maths and science A Levels are a good option for you.

Furthermore, if you are not sure exactly what career you want to do, you can study three to four A Levels in different subjects for the joy of learning about them. You may have an idea of what you want to specialise in once you have completed each qualification.

Some schools have a sixth form attached to them and offer A levels. If your school offers this, it may be worth staying on in the sixth form. You will already know your subject teachers and they will have a better idea of how you learn and how they can support you.

However, if you are sick of the site of your old school and you want to have nowt to do with it, then by all means explore other options. Just check the average success rates of any other further education colleges and sixth-form schools in your area.

You can check the results of each school and college on the government comparative website here.

Technical Levels

Technical Levels (known as T-Levels) are brand-new vocational subjects. They will be replacing many of the old BTEC qualifications. They are taught at Level 3, so one T-Level qualification is the equivalent of 3 A Levels. The cool thing about a T-Level is that if you know what industry you want to work in you can gain a specialist qualification in that field. This means you will be better prepared for the workplace once you have qualified.

In addition, as part of your T-Level course, you will have to work a minimum of 315 hours in an industry related to your course of study. This will give you a better chance to learn first-hand what the wonderful world of work looks like. It can help you make a decision on whether you are truly interested in working in that industry or not. It will help you build key ‘soft skills’ that you can apply in your everyday life and it may help you secure employment once you have completed your course. Previously, 50% of students who worked in an Industry Placement secured paid employment afterwards.

T-Level Options

T-Levels are gradually being rolled out across further education colleges in the next few years. Here are the current and future T-Level subjects that you can choose from:

Management and Administration
Building Services Engineering for Construction
Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
Onsite Construction
Digital Business Services
Digital Production, Design and Development
Digital Support Services
Engineering and Manufacturing
Maintenance, Installation and Repair, for Engineering and Manufacturing
Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control
Education and Childcare
Health
Healthcare
Science
Accounting
Finance
Agriculture, Land Management and Production (launching 2023)
Animal Care and Management (launching 2024)
Catering (launching 2023)
Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy (launching 2023)
Media Broadcast and Production (launching 2023)
Legal Services (launching 2023)

For more information about these courses check out the government’s website on T Levels.

Also, check your local Further Education Provider on which courses they are offering.

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Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a great way for you to earn money whilst you are learning. The concept of apprenticeships is centuries old. Some of the greatest artists in history started out as an apprentice sweeping the floor and washing paintbrushes. Perhaps one day you will start as an apprentice and then eventually become the CEO of the company.

Companies up and down the country will advertise for an apprenticeship, so if you are interested in becoming an apprentice you can look at your own local apprenticeship job board to see what is available. Alternatively, if you already have a job in an industry that interests you, you can speak to your bosses and ask to make the role and apprenticeship. You will be expected to work most of the week, but you may also need to attend college once a week to study so you can gain a qualification.

Higher Level Apprenticeships

You can also study a Higher Level Apprenticeship. This means you can gain a degree whilst working. Many companies are willing to pay your university fees whilst you are working for them. Once again, you will be expected to work most of the week, so the majority of your studying will be completed in your own time. It is a lot of work, but it means you may avoid getting into debt, and you can still gain a bachelor’s degree in the end. Plus, you are more likely to be paid a greater salary by the company once you have qualified.

You will need to have completed a Level 3 qualification before embarking on a Higher Level Apprenticeship. This could include a T level or A levels or Level 3 in another vocational subject.

See below for useful websites on Apprenticeships

Performing Arts

If you would like a career in the Performing Arts then you may want to attend a specialist college or conservatoire. These colleges have state-of-the-art equipment and performing spaces. Talent scouts from production companies tend to attend specialist Performing Arts colleges rather than local further education colleges or universities.

Many of the courses that specialist performing arts schools offer are at degree level and higher, so you may need to study for a Diploma in Performing Arts at your local Further Education College and then apply for a specialist college after you complete your college course. If this is the case, we would strongly suggest you join a local theatre club or dance school to gain additional experience. Read about the entry requirements of any specialist Performing Arts School or Conservatoire before you make your post 16 choices.

There are some useful websites of specialist Performing Arts Colleges below.

Post-16 Options for Students with Learning Disabilities

All further education providers are legally obliged to offer education to students with learning disabilities without discrimination. This means students with learning disabilities should have the same opportunties as any other student including studying at Levels 1-3, resitting their GCSE exams, taking part in a traineeship scheme or learning key life skills. However, some students may need additional support, which should be provided by your further education provider. Speak to your chosen college about what support they offer students with learning disabilities and what your own needs are.

Some further education providers may not be able to offer the specialist educational care that you require. If this is the case your Local Authority (LA) will need to carry out an assessment and provide a statement of SEN needs and then they will help you find the best place to continue your education.

For more information check our useful websites below.

Funding

For the majority of students aged 16-18 their course fees are covered in Further Education. However, there are private colleges that charge fees. If you intend to go to a private college you could apply for a scholarship or bursary through the school.

There is a link to a scholarship directory website below.

In addition, if you are from a low-income household or if you hold an Education, Health Care Plan (EHCP) you may be entitled to a bursary. Contact the finance office at your further education provider for more information.

If you would prefer to earn as you learn then an apprenticeship or trainee programme will be the best option for you.

Conclusion

We hope you have found this guide useful. There are loads of opportunities after you complete your GCSEs for you to try. You get to choose what topics you want to study. So think carefully about what subjects really pickle your fancy and where your heart is regarding a career. Talk to your parents/guardians and your careers adviser about your options. But remember the choice is yours. Do not let anyone force you down a career path that does not interest you.

For more information about making future choices, it is worth reading our GCSE options post.

Btw, whilst you are busily swatting up for your GCSE exams you may find our post on Revision skills that actually work, useful.