KS3 (Years 8 & 9)
As you may be aware the new GCSEs which are in the process of being introduced over the next two years require students to study a much broader range of topics than ever before and in more depth. The examinations themselves are going to be more rigorous and far more demanding than those currently being studied as part of the Government’s drive to raise standards and skills levels of young people. We believe that by making the change to a three year Key Stage 4 our students will have the best possible opportunities to meet the challenge of the new GCSEs. It can be difficult to choose the right courses for Years 9, 10 and 11. You are unlikely to know what you are going to do when you leave Paignton, and even if you do have a career in mind your ideas might change over the next two years. Some of the jobs you will do during your lifetime have not yet been invented, and most people will have several careers during their working life.
So that you do not accidentally make over-specialised choices which might limit your opportunities later we insist that all students follow a broad and balanced curriculum. At the same time we also recognise that each student has different educational needs and so we offer a guided choice of different pathways which provide breadth and balance while seeking to meet each student’s learning needs.
In coming to your conclusions you will also find it useful to consider what the first two years at Paignton may have taught you about yourself:
- Choose subjects which you enjoy and which you are good at. It is unlikely that you will suddenly become interested and successful in something where you have not achieved much so far.
- Do not think about subjects along the lines: “Those are for boys” or “Those are for girls”. All subjects are open to boys and girls alike.
- Do not choose subjects based on what your friends are doing.
- Think about how you feel about the subject not how you feel about the teacher.
- If you have a career in mind spend time researching, find out what subjects, what grades and what further qualifications you will need to achieve your career goal; use this section of the Academy website to help with your research:
- Careers Research
(KS4) Year 11
When it comes to choosing your options it can be a worrying time, particularly if you feel unsure about your career choices. The best thing to do is to stick with subjects that you enjoy and perform well in; as these are the ones which you are most likely to achieve your best grades in. Many careers now require a degree and to be able to access a suitable degree course pupils need to achieve particular GCSEs/ A Levels and grades.
Whether you have a clear idea about your future career and or you do not yet know which route to take, during Year 11 you can explore your career ideas and make some important decisions about your future education, training or employment.
Your main options after Year 11 are:
- To continue your education full time, either at school or college.
- To continue your learning through an Apprenticeship or other work-based learning programme.
- To find a job, hopefully one in which you will be able to continue your learning.
Everybody is different; do not just pick what your friends have chosen. Choose the option which is best for you and your own future.
Further Education
Further education courses can be studied within a school sixth form or at a college of further education. There is a wide range of courses on offer leading to a number of different types of qualification. Moving onto further education offers you the opportunity to gain further qualifications which will help your employment prospects or let you progress to higher education. You can also study new subjects that would not be available at school. Courses are available for all levels of ability and can be combined to provide a programme of study tailored to your needs.
When deciding which route to apply for, compare courses, the same course may be available at several institutions. Find out how the courses differ and what students from that course go on to do. Institutions often run open days, open evenings or taster courses so you can find out more. Details of these events are usually posted on the institution’s website.
Work-based Learning
Work-based learning may be the route for you if you want to work but still gain a qualification. There are a wide range of training opportunities available. Work-based learning caters for all abilities and offers you the opportunity to get all the work skills and qualifications employers demand in the job market.
There are various options available through work-based learning:
- Foundation Learning
- Traineeships
- Intermediate Level Apprenticeships
- Advanced Level Apprenticeships
- Higher Level Apprenticeships
Click here for: Apprenticeship Information
Employment
You cannot work full-time until after your official school leaving date that is, the last Friday in June, regardless of how old you are then. You will be entitled to the National Minimum Wage if you are aged 16 or 17 (and not in an Apprenticeship or other Government-sponsored training programme). The vast majority of jobs require you to develop and continually update your skills and knowledge in order to be effective at what you do, particularly if you wish to progress!
Click here: Employment Information
(KS5) Years 12 & 13
If you have decided to stay in further education, you might already have a clear idea about your future career. But if you do not know what you want to do after your course, you will need to take time to explore your career ideas and make some important decisions about your future education, training or employment.
There are many options available to you during and after your course:
- Higher education
- Further education
- Vocational training
- Advanced and Higher Level Apprenticeships
- Finding a job
- Taking a year out
- Self-Employment
Higher Education
Higher education courses can lead to a wide range of qualifications, including:
- Degrees (BA, Bed, BSc)
- Foundation Degrees (e.g., Art and Design)
- Higher National Diploma (HND) or Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
Entry requirements will differ from course to course and from institution to institution. Certain grades in specific subjects may be required, or a combination of different qualifications may be acceptable.
For more information and advice, talk to Mrs Hay in the Careers Office or click below:
Further Education
If your A Level results aren’t what you expected, or are lower than you need to enter the university course of your choice, you could choose to re-sit. Be aware that some institutions ask for higher grades from candidates who retake their A Levels and some do not consider people who re-sit at all. There may be other courses available at local further education colleges that would lead to useful qualifications for your future career. Further education colleges also offer a range of higher education courses that you could consider. Academic courses and foundation courses may help to prepare you for further study.
Vocational Training
Occupational or vocational courses at a further education college will help you learn about specific areas of work, such as administration, childcare or catering. Vocational courses will often include an element of work experience relevant to your subject. Entry requirements will differ from course to course, but advanced-level qualifications may not always be required.
Advanced and Higher Level Apprenticeships
Advanced Level Apprenticeships lead to qualifications at NVQ Level 3. On Advanced Level Apprenticeships you will be employed and will normally receive a wage that reflects your skills, experience and ability. Employers who take on apprentices are not obliged to pay the national minimum wage, although many do. Higher Level Apprenticeships lead to work-based learning qualifications such as NVQ Level 4 and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation Degree.
Click here for: Apprenticeship Information
Finding a Job
Leaving full-time education does not mean finishing with learning and you need to think about a job that provides you with further learning opportunities and better prospects.
Once you have started work, you may have the chance to gain further qualifications. Your employer may give you time off for courses or offer a structured training programme that could lead to higher qualifications. The vast majority of jobs require you to develop and continually update your skills and knowledge in order to be effective at what you do, particularly if you wish to progress.
Click here for: Employment Information
Taking a Year Out
Although it is possible for people to take a career break at any age, young people will often defer their entry to higher education by a year to enjoy new experiences or learn new skills, or they may choose to take a gap year after graduation and before starting work.
There are many reasons why people choose to take a year out:
- To try new experiences
- To develop self-confidence and maturity
- To gain relevant work experience
- To earn money to fund further learning
- To give themselves time to think about their options
- To fulfil their personal ambitions
Whether you choose to get a job to earn money, take a working holiday abroad or offer your time volunteering to a cause you are interested in, it’s important to plan your year out so that you get the most out of it. Skills gained on a well-structured gap year are much in demand from employers and can make a significant contribution to your own personal development. You can find guidebooks and magazines advertising year out opportunities in the Careers Office and there are many websites offering advice and information, including the Gap Year, Gap Advice or Gap Work websites.
Self-employment
Running your own business can be an exciting idea, but it is not an easy option for 16-19 year olds. Make sure you have thought it through and talk to agencies that offer advice and help on becoming self-employed. Discuss your ideas with your Parent/ guardian, visit the Prince’s Trust website or click onto Shell LiveWire.