Post-16 Advice for Students

Understanding Educational levels:

You’ll leave school with either level 1 qualifications (grades 3 – 1) or level 2 qualifications (grades 9 – 4) in your GCSES.  You can then progress on to:

• Entry Level
• Level 1 – if you achieve grades 3 – 1, you can progress to level 1 or 2 courses
• Level 2 – if you achieve grades 9 – 4, you can progress to level 2 or level 3 courses
• Level 3 – T levels, or A levels or Level 3 vocational courses such as BTEC level 3 – could be a single, double or triple course.

Remember: if you don’t achieve a grade 4 in English and Maths, you will have to retake these with another level 1 or level 2 course – you can then progress onto level 3 courses.

Sometimes, students start at level 2 for vocational courses (such are car mechanic or beauty or construction) even if they achieve grades 9 – 4 as they are starting a new subject.

We do encourage you to apply for multiple levels, particularly if you are uncertain what you might get in your final exams.  So many students apply for both level 1 courses and level 2 courses in the same subject at the same college! Colleges will often check that the level you have applied for is suitable, when you have your interview!

Careers Guidance Appointments

An important part of the process is a personal guidance interview with our Careers Advisor.  Many students had an initial interview during the summer term of Year 10, but don’t worry if you didn’t - we will ensure that you have your careers appointment during the first half of the autumn term of Year 11.  You can have follow-up career appointments as you need them- just let Mrs Davison know, or click here [insert a link to request a careers appointment] to request one.  During the careers appointment you will chat about your ambitions, ask any questions you have and research information on different careers, apprenticeships, traineeships, and colleges. The careers advisor can help you with your applications too.  These appointments are about meeting your needs, so there is no limit to how many appointments you can have!

Careers Library

You can find lots of information about different colleges online and you will have an opportunity to hear from our local Post-16 providers in our weekly Wednesday assemblies in the Autumn term of Year 11.  We keep copies of college and university prospectuses in the careers section of the library.  If something is missing, ask Miss Spencer, who will be able to get it for you.

Open Events

All colleges host open evenings and days when students are invited to go, look around and find out more about whether a certain college might be for you.  In the summer term of Year 10 you will take part in a “Discovery Day” at East Norfolk Sixth Form college, which will give you a taste of some subjects you might not have come across before, and a short tour of the college.  In the Autumn term of year 11 there are further opportunities for you to make your own arrangements to visit college open events either after school, in the evenings or at the weekends.  We encourage you to follow the local colleges on social media and to keep an eye in your school email inbox for the dates of these.