Your CHOICES
In year 11 (or year 12, if you’re doing a one year course), you have to make some big decisions about your future. The information below outlines your options and tells you where you can get help to make the best decision.
What are your options?
Further Education (FE)
Further full-time education could be in school, sixth form college or a college of further education. You can study for qualifications such as A levels, International or AQA Baccalaureates, Diplomas, BTECs, OCRs and vocational courses.
Employment, Apprenticeships and Work-based Learning
You can train full-time or work and train at the same time. You can work towards an apprenticeship which will offer you the opportunity to gain further work-based qualifications, follow a programme-led pathway or foundation learning programme. Some apprenticeships can lead to university level study so can be an alternative to higher education.
A job will give you the opportunity to earn money and learn new skills in a practical way. It is important to check how much training you will get – a lack of training could affect your future prospects.
Making your choice
To make your choice you need to find out about yourself, what you are good at, what you enjoy (your subjects in school and your hobbies) and you should look at your current career ideas. You then need to find out about the opportunities out there, the different routes you can take to achieve your objective and how and when to apply.
Who can help?
Your Adviser can provide up-to-date information on different options. They are impartial, which means they won’t try to push you in a particular direction – they simply help you decide what is right for you. You can also discuss your choice with your teachers, your family and others who know you well.
If you are unsure about what you want to do, you might have access to online career programs that help you to examine your interests and suggests careers or courses that could be appropriate. Examples include Kudos, Fast Tomato and JED. It’s best if you use one of these programs with guidance from an Adviser.