Year 11 – What Next?

Careers Leader: Reuben Thorley

Careers Administrator: Shona Glover

You can e-mail her at

glover.s1@communitycollegebc.org.uk to request an appointment, drop in to her office or ask your coach.

In this booklet there are a list of the most local colleges. Choosing the right courses can be critical for some careers and it’s important to not

unintentionally close off paths that you may wish to pursue later on in your career. What you can do to make the right choice: •Find out about different careers that interest you – see useful websites attached. •Get advice from the people who know you like your parents and teachers and from the Careers Administrator Shona Glover.

•Look at the qualifications on offer to you at 6th Form and in other local colleges and

also consider whether an apprenticeship might be a good route for you. (Apprenticeship information see below) . For either BTEC or A level ensure that they are subjects that;

•you will enjoy; •you think that you will do well in; •that will help you get to where you want to go in the future

The Community College Post - 16 Options Evening

Wednesday 9th October 5.00 - 7.00pm

Useful Contacts, Open Day Dates, Taster Days.

Ideally students should be going to visit Post 16 Options institutions from the beginning of Year 11.

Applications for all possible main choices and back up plans should be sent by the end of the Autumn Term.

Interviews are then generally held between January and March leaving them time for

revision and exams without having to think about open visits and deciding Post 16

Options.

College/ 6Th Form Open events – always check before attending. Most now require booking online prior to the event.

Shrewsbury Colleges Group

London Road

01743 342 342

www.scg.ac.uk

Eng + Welsh Bridge

01743 235 491

Year 11 Progression Event

Shrewsbury Town Football Club

Monday 30th September 3.30 – 7.30pm

Thursday 7th November 5 – 8pm

Tuesday 15th October 5 – 8pm

Wednesday 23rd October 5 – 8pm

Reaseheath

01270 625 131

www.reaseheath.ac.uk

Saturday 19th October 10 – 12pm

Saturday 16th November 10 – 12pm

Saturday 7th December 10 – 12pm

Welshpool 6th Form

01938 552 014

www.welshpool-hs.powys.sch.uk

Wednesday 16th October 5 – 8pm

Newtown College

01686 614 200

www.nptcgroup.ac.uk

Thursday 10th October 4.30 – 7.30pm

Thursday 28th November 4.30 – 7.30pm

Hereford 6Th Form College

01432 355 166

www.hereford.ac.uk

Wednesday 23rd October 5 – 8pm

Saturday 8th February 10 – 12pm

Thursday 30th April 5.30 – 7.30pm

Hereford Campus

0800 032 1986

Tuesday 12th November 4.30 – 7.30pm

Wednesday 22nd January 4.30 – 7.30pm

Thursday 12th March 4.30 – 7.30pm

www.hlcollege.ac.uk

Holme Lacy Campus

Saturday 9th November 10 – 12pm

Ludlow College

01584 872 846

www.ludlow-college.ac.uk

Thursday 3rd October 5 – 8pm

Tuesday 14th January 5 – 8pm

Saturday 7th March 10 – 12pm

North Shropshire College

0800 440 2281

www.nsc.ac.uk

Saturday 19th October 10 – 12.30pm

Saturday 8th February 10 – 12pm

Friday15th November – Taster Day

Other Key Dates

There will be key events throughout the year so you need to check the weekly

College News, the careers and coaching room noticeboards.

Most Universities will expect you to have studied three A’ levels or Level 3 equivalent.

Useful information to help you make an informed choice –

www.which.co.uk/alevelchoices

www.which.co.uk/alevelexplorer

www.ucas.com

A-levels are a lot tougher than GCSEs

The reason you take a particular subject at A-level will come down to one (or more) of these

three scenarios (usually):

you need it to pursue a particular career it’s a subject you enjoy and are good at

it’s a subject you’ve not studied before but you think will suit you

Keeping options open

Keep your future options wide open when choosing your A-levels by selecting a smart mix

of the most commonly asked-for subjects in university entry requirements.

These are known as ‘facilitating’ subjects and are:

Biology

Chemistry English Geography

History Maths

Modern and classical languages Physics

Be aware, some universities openly discourage students from taking certain combinations

of A-level subjects, particularly when subjects are very similar like business studies and

economics

Certain Uni courses will look for specific A-levels

This is really important if you have a particular degree in mind. You won’t be able to apply to

some degree courses without having taken some specific A-levels (and scored the right

grades in them too, of course).

Some courses and unis have lists of subjects they don’t accept

For instance, an architecture course at the University of Bath – will view certain A-levels as

less effective preparation for university studies than others.

Similarly, some universities – such as the University of Sheffield – actually list which A-level

subjects they prefer.

Others, like the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), have ‘non-

preferred’ subject lists.

If your subject choices don’t match up, you shouldn’t necessarily discount the course, or be

put off from taking a creative or vocational A-level subject you’re really interested in.

Taking a subject such as history of art, classical civilisation, economics, geology,

government and politics , law, media studies, philosophy, psychology, religious studies

and sociology in conjunction with at least one (ideally two) of the ‘facilitating’ subjects

listed above shouldn’t be an issue, if you get the grades.

Essential and Useful A’level subjects for different Degrees

Below are the A-Level subjects which are most commonly essential requirements for

different degree courses. It is however essential to check www.ucas.com for more detailed

information on individual Universities entry requirements.

Degree Subject Essential Qualifications Useful Qualifications Accountancy (also Usually none although some Maths, Business and

Banking and Finance) Unis require Maths Economics Actuarial Science Maths Further Maths, Economics

and Business Studies Aeronautical Engineering Maths and or Physics Further Maths and or

Physics Anthropology None Some Science courses like

AS-level Biology. Sociology

is also relevant Archaeology None Geography, History or

Science subjects Architecture Some want Art/Science mix. Art, Maths, Design

Some require Art Technology and Physics Art and Design Art or Design Technology Design Technology and Art

and Design. Most entrant onto Art and Design will have done a one-year foundation course after

completing Year 13. Biochemistry Always Chemistry and some Biology, Maths, Further

will say Biology or Maths and Physics Chemistry plus one from

Maths/Physics/Biology. By

studying Chemistry, Biology

and Maths or Physics will

keep all Biochemistry

courses open to you. Biology Biology and Chemistry Maths or Physics,

Biomedical Sciences

including Medical Science) Business Studies None Maths, Business Studies

and Economics

Chemical Engineering Chemistry, Maths and Physics, Biology and

sometimes Physics as well Further Maths. English English Literature and some History, Philosophy, and courses may accept English Ethics, French and German.

Language. Others may not. Environmental Science Many courses will ask for English, Maths, Science, two from Biology, Geography, History and Chemistry, Maths, Physics Languages.

and Geography. French French Another Language, English Literature, History and

Government and Politics. Geography Most degrees require Some prefer one from Geography. Biology, Chemistry, Maths

or Physics. German German Another Language, English Literature, History, and

Government & Politics. History Most degrees require English Literature, History. Philosophy & Ethics, Government & Politics, Sociology, French and

German.

History of Art

None Art, English Literature,

History, Philosophy &

Ethics, French & German. Law Usually none, although English, Maths, Science, some require English. Geography, History, and

Languages. Management Studies Sometimes Maths Maths and Business

Studies. Materials Science Normally two from Chemistry, Design and (including Biomedical chemistry, Maths, Physics, Technology, and Further Materials Science) Biology, and some Design Maths.

Technology Maths Maths and sometimes Further Maths, Physics, further Maths. Mechanical Engineering and

Design and Technology.

Media Studies (including

Some require English or English, Media Studies,

Communication Studies) Media Studies. Sociology and Psychology. Medicine If you take Chemistry, Further Maths Biology and one from Maths

and Physics you will keep all

Medicine options open to

you.

For most courses Music and Some have a preference for Music

Grade VII/VIII a last one essay based

subject such as History.

Nursing and Midwifery

Usually Biology or another Biology, CACHE, Sociology,

Science Psychology and Chemistry,

Occupational Therapy.

Occupational Therapy

Some courses ask for

Biology.

Psychology, PE, Sociology or another Science.

Optometry (Ophthalmic Two from Biology, Further Maths Optics) Chemistry, maths or Physics

(some courses prefer Biology as one of the

choices. Orthodontics Biology Chemistry, Maths and

Physics. Pharmacy Chemistry and one from Maths and Physics.

Biology, Maths and Physics

keeps the maximum number

of courses open to you.

Some like to see Chemistry,

Biology and Maths. Doing

Chemistry and Biology

keeps most courses open to

you. Philosophy None Maths, Philosophy and

Ethics. Physics Maths and Physics. Further Maths and

Chemistry. Physiotherapy Most courses will consider Chemistry, Maths, Physics

you just with Biology, and Psychology. however, some require a

second Science from

Chemistry, Maths or

Physics. Politics None Government and Politics,

History, Philosophy & Ethics

and Sociology. Psychology A few courses ask for one Biology, Maths, Psychology

from Biology, Chemistry, and Sociology.

Maths and Physics. Sociology None Sociology, Psychology and

Geography. Speech Therapy None Sociology, Psychology and

Geography.

Sport Science / PE

Many courses want to see Physical Education and

one from Biology, Psychology. Chemistry, Maths, Physics

and some will accept

Physical Education as a

Science equivalent.

Surveying

None For some types of

Surveying i.e. Building Surveying, Maths and Physics could be helpful. For estate Management (General Practice Surveying) most A level combinations will be

considered. Teacher Training None At least one from Art,

Biology, CACHE, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Drama, English, French, Geography, German, History, ICT, Maths, Music, Philosophy and Ethics, PE, CACHE meets the entry

requirements for early years

Primary Teaching and a large number of Primary

Teacher Training Degrees. Veterinary Science You should do Chemistry Further Maths.

and Biology and one from

Physics or 6Maths to keep

the number of course options open to you

The Russel Group of Universities has launched a new website which is very useful for students who wish to pursue a degree at a competitive university. Students can test out different combinations of post-16 subjects to see which degrees they may open up. www.informedchoices.ac.uk

BTEC qualifications are particular types of work-related qualifications, available in a

wide range of subjects. They are available at ALL levels, so there is a level to match

the grades you get at GCSE.

One of the main differences between BTECs and A-Levels is the way both are assessed. A- Levels mainly involve two years of study geared towards a few big tests at the end, whereas BTECs are continually assessed via coursework and practical projects.

If thinking of going to University then it is important to know, that although some Universities do not accept these qualifications, most of them do. It is important to use UCAS to look at entry requirements for a particular course you wish to

study at University.

www.which.co.uk/btecs

www.which.co.uk/courses

Some 6th forms and Colleges allow you to take a mixture of A’ levels and BTECs

You can take BTECs in many vocational areas but below are just a few ideas..

Art and Design Hair and Beauty Business Travel and Tourism Childcare and Education Computing and IT Construction Trades Creative Media Engineering Health and Social Care Hospitality and Catering

Countryside Management Equine Music Animal Management Agriculture Sports Public Uniformed Services Performing Arts Music Technology

Music Technology Motor Vehicle

UCAS assessment tariff.

If you want to go to University then this table will help you work out what your grades

could convert to.

D – Distinction M – Merit P - Pass

A’level BTEC Extended National BTEC National BTEC National Diploma (equivalent to 3 Diploma extended certificate A’levels (equivalent to 2’A (equivalent to 1 A’

levels level)

A* 56 D*D*D* 168 D*D* 112 D* 56

A 48 D*D*D 160 D*D 104 D 48

B 40 D*DD 152 DD 96 M 32

C 32 DDD 144 DM 80 P 16

D 24 DDM 128 MM 64

E 16 DMM 112 MP 48

U Fail MMM 96 PP 32

DDM 128

DMM 112

MMM 96

DDM 128

DMM 112

MMM 96

Apprenticeships/Study Programmes and Apprenticeship Providers

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels as follows:

Name Level Equivalent educational level

Intermediate 2 5 GCSE passes at grades A* to C

Advanced 3 2 A level passes

Higher 4, 5, 6 and 7 Foundation degree and above

Degree 6 and 7 Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Firstly, set up an account on the National Apprenticeship website.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship.

Make a note of your login details and password. Then set up email and text alerts. Not all employers will use the National Apprenticeship website so you also need to put

together your CV and contact employers directly.

Other essential websites for Apprenticeships are;

notgoingtouni.co.uk

alllaboutschoolleavers.co.uk

getmyfirstjob.co.uk

Also:

Check Shropshire Star (Thursdays), Employment agencies such as;

•Job Search •Universal Jobmatch •Monster •Jobsite •Indeed •Total Jobs •fish4jobs

Job centre plus, WM jobs, Shropshire Council jobs, careers events, family contacts and

friends as well.

A good time to apply is February/March of your leaving year. You can register your interest

with the providers below earlier however.

Finding an apprenticeship is like finding a job.

Apply for College as a backup, in case you are unsuccessful at getting an

apprenticeship initially.

A good CV is especially important if you are looking into apprenticeships.

What makes a good CV? Use one of the Build a CV tools below:

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/get-a-job

http://www.adviza.org.uk/who-am-i/young-person/applying-for-work

http://www.help4teens.co.uk/Making-an-Application/Your-CV.html

Local Colleges Apprenticeship Hubs.

After registering on the relevant Websites above for apprenticeships it is also extremely

useful for students to register with their local Colleges apprenticeship hubs who will be able

to offer some support and in some cases have their own vacancy lists.

Shrewsbury College Accounts, Beauty, Bricklaying, Business Admin, Apprenticeships Carpentry, Childcare, Civil Engineering, www.shrewsbury.ac.uk Construction, Surveying, Customer Service, 01743 342550 Electrical Installation, Electronics, Engineering, Food Processing, Front of House, Hairdressing, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, IT, Logistics, Maintenance Operations, Management, Motor Vehicle, Painting & Decorating, Plastering, Plumbing, Professional Cookery, Teaching Assistants, Team Leading, Traffic Office,

Warehousing & Storage, Welding & Fabrication. North Shropshire College Engineering/Manufacturing Technology, Bricklaying, Apprenticeships Agricultural Land based service Engineering, Animal www.nsc.ac.uk Care, Beauty, Hairdressing, Health & Social care, 0800 4402281 Agriculture, Business Admin, Customer Service, Game keeping and Wildlife Management, Hospitality & Catering, Trees & Timber, Vehicle Maintenance,

Horticulture, Advanced Diagnostics.

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROVIDERS

There are also Training Providers below who offer support in various different sectors to help

find apprenticeships.

Training Provider General Areas Apprenticeships are available in

County Training – Ludlow and Business Admin, Childcare, Customer Service, Shrewsbury Equine, Hairdressing/Barbering, Health and Social 0345 6789023 Care, Hospitality and Catering, IT, Management and www.ctapprenticeships.co.uk, Team Leading, Motor Vehicle, Warehousing and

Storage.

HIT Training - National Chef, Customer Service, Food and Beverage 0800 0935892 Service, Hospitality, Hospitality Management

www.hittraining.co.uk

Juniper Training – Shrewsbury 01743 366413 www.junipertraining.co.uk/Centres/Shrewsbury

Various apprenticeships and support on offer.

MCMT (Marches Centre of

Engineering BTEC 3 up to Degree Level, Maintenance engineering, mechanical engineering – machinist, Engineering Design, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Welding, Business Administration, Automotive, Transport & Logistics.

Manufacturing & Technology)

Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury 0754 0491220 01952 245211 01743 462217 www.mcmt.co.uk SBC Training Engineering & Manufacturing, Electro- technical, www.sbc-training.co.uk Business Admin, Management & Team Leading, Shrewsbury Health & Social Care (including Advice& Guidance),

01743 454810 Retail & logistics, Customer Services, ICT

TDM Wyre Technical and Digital Apprenticeships www.wyreacademy.tdm.co.uk Digital & Technology Solutions Professional, 0333 1010040 Network Engineer, Software Developer, ICT Professional, Digital Business Administration ICT Professional, Digital Business Administration ICT Professional, Digital Marketing, Infrastructure Technician, Digital Marketer, Cyber Security Technologist, Web designer, Digital Learning

Admin.

CITB Site/Bench Joinery, Plant Maintenance, Bricklaying, www.citb.co.uk/bconstructive/ Roofing, Scaffolding, General Construction 0344 9944400 Operative, Technical and Professional, Highways

Maintenance (surveyor, civil engineering), Painting and Decorating, Tiling, Plastering

ProVQ Apprentice – Shrewsbury www.apprenticeshipfinder@provq.com 01743 762800 Motor Vehicle Industry.

Cross Bar Coaching

e-mail admin@crossbarcoaching.com

Sports Coaching Advanced Level

01743 362368

Study Programmes or Traineeships

If you feel you are not ready to go straight into an apprenticeship, need to work on your literacy and numeracy or just boost your employability skills then study programmes can allow you to try out different types of work tasters. This could help you to work out what you want to do and can support you to progress into education, employment or an apprenticeship.

County Training – Shrewsbury and Juniper Training - Shrewsbury

Ludlow 01743 366413

Nova Training – Bridgnorth

www.novatraining.co.uk

01746 760388

07951744292

There are also courses at College such Crossbar Sports Coaching Traineeships.

as the College Ready or Work ready 9-12 week programme

courses, for those who aren’t sure what www.creativesportandleisure.co.uk/crossbar-

they want to do. apply

01743 362368

Useful Careers Websites

Twitter is also a really good way to keep up to date with Careers information

nationalcareerservice.direct.gov. @NationalCareers Job profile1s and Careers

uk advice

icould.com @icould.com Thousands of career videos to

help you on your career

journey. Do the BUZZ Quiz!

prospects.ac.uk @Prospects Careers advice, jobs, internships for School leavers

and graduates startprofile.com Connected to live labour

market info, post 16 and 18 courses and an advanced

profiling tool. gothinkbig.co.uk @GoThinkBig Register for work experience

in big brand companies to

boost your CV

parentaguidance.org.uk @Parent_Guidance Information you need to support your child’s career

decisions

careersadviceforparents.org @Careersparents

notgoingtouni.co.uk @notgoingtouni Site dedicated to apprenticeships, distance learning, foundation degrees, gap years, voluntary work and

sponsored degrees. allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk @AllaboutCareers Latest School leaver

programmes and

apprenticeship schemes

@_FinanceCareers getmyfirstjob.co.uk @GetMyFirstJob Another essential site to

register for Apprenticeships

gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship @apprenticeships Governments National

Apprenticeship finder service. Essential to register if looking

for apprenticeships amazingapprenticehips.com @AmazingAppsUK Further apprenticeship

getingofar.gov.uk Information

@getingofar.gov.u

k studentladder.co.uk/Study- @studentladder School leaver Programmes Work-Options/study-work- and Sponsored Degrees

options.html

targetcareers.co.uk @targetcareersuk Careers Inspiration

barclayslifeskills.com @LifeSkills_Ed Support with employability

skills

thestudentroom.co.uk Online student community –

help with revisions,

statements, applying to Uni. gov.uk/student-finance @SF_England Student Finance information

ucas.com @ucas_online Manage applications to UK full

time University Courses.

Features many useful articles

around Careers and Education.

which.co.uk/university @WhichuniUK Impartial information on the

best Unis, Colleges and

Degree Courses.

Studyoverseas.com Focuses on life and studying

in many different countries.

thecompleteuniversityguide.co.u @compuniguide University Guide

k

Examples of personal studential.com statements, broken down by

subjects.

Search, review and compare

unistats.ac.uk courses

opendays.com

Search open days at Unis

Do-it.org National volunteering website shropshire-rcc.org.uk 01743 237883 Wheels to Work

Help to solve young people’s

transport problems for getting

to work/College systbusinesss.co.uk @SYSTbusiness ShropshireYouth Support

Trust provides young people

with the space and support

they need to start a business.

shrewsburyhigh.gdst.net

At Shrewsbury High School. A

variety of careers conventions

and careers information

@shrewsburyhigh

evenings on getting into Oxbridge, Medicine, Careers in

Art, Higher Education etc

Information on specific jobs

HEALTH AND SOCIAL/Medicine www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk www.heathcareers.nhs.uk www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk/ www.tasteofmedicine.com www.admissionstesting.org www.ukcat.ac.uk www.medlink-uk.net www.gapmedics.com www.careersinpodiatry.com

@GenMedX @healthcareersuk @SaTHjobs @medlinkteam @gapmedics @PodiatryCareers

Careers in the NHS aimed at School leavers Careers in Medicine Careers in Health NHS apprenticeships in Telford and Shrewsbury Guide to getting into medicine Entry tests for medical and dentistry Entry test for medical and dentistry 4-day course for routes into medicine Medical work experience abroad in the holidays/gap Careers in podiatry

TEACHING www.getintoteaching.education.gov.uk

@getintoteaching

Help and advice on how and why to get into teaching

ARMED FORCES www.beforeyousignup.info/

@BeforeYouSignup

Pros and cons of joining the armed forces.

ACCOUNTACY www.careers.icaew.com/find-your-route/school-leaver-programme

@ICAEW_Careers

Info on entry routes, training and opportunities in accountacy

ANIMALS AND LAND BASED www.vetsure.com/pet-information/latest-pet-news/become-veterinary-surgeon-career-guide/ www.lantra.co.uk/careers

@LantraUK

Info on how to become a vet. Info on apprenticeships, college and uni courses and careers in animal, Land-based and Environment Jobs.

AEROSPACE

www.careersinaerospace.com

@RAesCareers

To explore opportunities in aerospace

STEM CAREERS www.Tomorrowsengineer.org.uk www.Stem.org.uk www.Mathscareers.org.uk www.Sciencecareerpathways.com

@Tomorrows_En @stemdotorg @mathsCareers

Careers in the engineering sector Science councils careers website Helps choose your routes to a Maths Career. Careers opportunities working within the Science based industries

DIGITAL/WEB www.bubble-jobs.co.uk www.tutch.co.uk

@Bubblejobs @tutchmedia

Explains different kinds of careers in Digital/Web sector How to become a web developer

LAW www.allaboutlaw.co.uk www.Inat.ac.uk www.lawcareers.net

@AllAboutLaw @LawCareers.Net

A guide to degrees and careers in Law. Guide to the test you may have to take to gain entry onto a Law degree. Guide to becoming a Lawyer

CREATIVE www.careersinmusic.com www.ccskills.or.uk www.myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk

@CCSkills @MyfirstJobInFilm

A US website on careers in music. Careers Advice on working in the creative industries. Includes jobs/internship/work experience abroad

www.4talent.channel4.com

@4Talent

Opportunities to begin and develop your career in the media industry

www.bbc.co.uk/getin

@BBCGetin

BBC entry and work experience schemes in engineering, journalism and production.

HOSPITALITY/CATERING www.Tastycareers.org.uk www.Careersthatmove.co.uk www.Careerscope.uk.net www.Cruiselinejobs.com

@TastyCareers @CareerScope_SB @cruiselinejobs

Careers in the food and drink sector Jobs in the transport and travel industry Careers info and jobs in hospitality, tourism and leisure Information on jobs on cruise ships