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Education

In Year 11 the range of qualifications and places to study widens, but whatever route they choose encourage your teenager to remain in full-time learning. Better qualifications bring improved job prospects, higher earnings and greater job satisfaction, and jobs for people without qualifications are disappearing.

In brief, the choices are to:

  • Continue their education full time at school or college.
  • Continue learning but train at the same time by following an Apprenticeship programme.
  • Start work, hopefully with a part-time learning option.

Full-time education

If your teenager is considering full-time education, it is important to look around and to consider all the options on offer.

Make time to go to open days and meet staff who might be teaching your teenager. Schools may run information evenings, and your teenager may have a chance to attend taster sessions at a local college.

  • Ask your teenager what they have enjoyed most over the last two years and see what courses and qualifications are available in those areas.
  • Look at different schools and colleges and their learning environments. Think about whether their learning style would suit your teenager.
  • Find out what is on offer in the way of clubs and other extra-curricular opportunities.
  • Check transport links if the school or college your teenager is considering is not very close to where you live.

Remember your teenager can apply to any number of colleges and schools. Most application deadlines are in the autumn or spring term of Year 11. Occasionally there are earlier deadlines so check this via the college/school website or through your teenager's Connexions personal adviser.

Where to study

  • Further education and specialist colleges - These cater for large numbers of students and usually offer a wide choice of courses and qualifications. Some colleges may specialise in a particular subject area.
  • School sixth form - Even if your teenager's present school has a sixth form, they can switch to another school. Individual schools vary in the range of AS and A Level courses they offer. Some allow students to retake core GCSEs.
  • Sixth form colleges - These usually offer a wider range of AS or A Levels, work-related qualifications or core GCSEs retakes. They usually take students from a wide range of schools in the area.

AS and A Levels

  • A Levels are two-year courses made up of the AS Level and the A2, with each part being 50% of the overall grade.
  • Most students take three or four AS Levels in the first year and then choose to continue with three A2s in the second year to make full A Levels.
  • A Levels are split into units and each unit is assessed separately through a mix of internal assessment and examinations. There are four units in most subjects.
  • There are around 80 subjects to choose from, including some with a work-related focus. These are called Applied A Levels and are available in single and double awards - the latter is equivalent to two A Levels.
  • There is a new A* grade for the top performers.
  • The new extended project qualification is optional for those studying A Levels and is designed to help students develop the wider skills that higher education courses demand.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) is accepted as an entry qualification by universities around the world. It takes two years and students study six subjects selected from a range of subject groups, normally three at higher level and three at standard level. There are three further compulsory elements - an extended original research essay, theory of knowledge, and creativity, action and service projects.

The Diploma

As the Diploma is a new qualification, it is not yet available everywhere. Check if it is available in your teenager's school. If your teenager is already working towards the Foundation or Higher Diploma at school, after completing this, they can move to the next level of Diploma (Advanced or Progression) or choose a different qualification such as A Levels or an Advanced Apprenticeship.

For more information on Diplomas see What's available?

Full-time qualifications related to the workplace

If your teenager has a career in mind they may want to consider qualifications such as BTEC First Diplomas and NVQs at Levels 1 to 3. Some are offered in school sixth forms, but the majority are available in further education colleges.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a practical balance between learning a trade and earning a living and there are now over 180 different Apprenticeships available. Your teenager's Connexions personal adviser can help them decide which employment sector and level is best for them.

All Apprenticeships lead to National Vocational Qualifications and key skills qualifications. Some Apprenticeships also offer BTEC or City & Guilds certificates. Pay can vary, but all employed apprentices must receive a minimum of £80 per week.

What next?

Find out about going to employment

Tool kit

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Hot tip

Apprenticeships can be a route into higher education for further qualifications. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships opens new window website.

Quote

"Better qualifications bring improved job prospects, higher earnings and greater job satisfaction."