As exam seasons slowly creep up on us, students start feeling tense knowing they are reaching the end of their secondary school experience and need to put their head down for exams. However, there are still things that need to be set in place to ensure your child has a smooth transition from GCSEs and onto the next phase in their life. There is a range of possibilities and opportunities open to them that caters to their specific needs. Some of the most popular options are A Levels and BTEC courses. Below are some top tips on what your child’s options are post-16.
A levels
A levels are a top pick by many students and are a two-year subject based qualification. This is available to students from the age of 16 and is usually chosen by those who want to progress onto university or desire a deeper understanding for a specific area of study. A levels are usually provided by colleges and sixth forms and come with an array of subjects to choose from, depending on the academic establishment chosen. Students are expected to choose 3 subjects to study over a period of 2 years, with exams being sat at the very end of the course.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are also a popular choice when it comes to studies post-16. This is the perfect option for those who feel ready to launch themselves into the world of work and want to build on their academic skills at the same time. The good news is, there over a thousand apprenticeships on offer for students across the country. This means students have the opportunity to pursue anything from media to space engineering. This is also a fantastic way to help individuals gain vital work experience in their chosen industry, whilst earning a wage. Apprenticeships require students to go into college part time to study, giving them the best of both worlds.
Vocational Qualifications
This qualification is designed to teach students the knowledge and practical skills needed to advance onto a particular career path. They prepare students for broad employment sectors, such as travel and tourism, or for more specific jobs such as a chef or beauty therapist. Vocational courses offer work experience by allowing students to learn in real life situations on campus. For example, chefs will work in a restaurant and beauty therapists will work in a spa, both open to the public. These courses require minimal theory-based tests and focus more on the practical side of examination.
Leave a Reply