Post-16 choices

What are my options after leaving school?

After Year 11, you need to stay in some form of learning until you are 18.

Research your options. UCAS gives a great overview of what paths you can take after your GCSEs.

There are three main options available to you:

• Vocational courses at college
• Academic subjects at a school sixth-form or college
• An apprenticeship or other work based learning

A-Levels

A-levels are an academic choice. If you enjoyed studying GCSEs this could be right for you. You can choose to study at a sixth-form college or in a school sixth form. View more information on A-levels. 

T Levels

T Levels are a brand-new, two-year qualification that you can do as an alternative to A levels, other post-16 courses, or an apprenticeship. Read more about T Levels. 

Apprenticeships

This is a route to gain qualifications while working. You can start an apprenticeship from the age of 16 and there is no upper age limit. You can study from Level 2 all the way to Degree Level! View our apprenticeships page for more details.

Additional support

Not feeling ready for the next step? Hundreds have benefitted from a short time on one of these local programmes.

• King's Trust – Programmes that aim to support young people back into education, employment or training through developing young people's personal and social development and enhance work skills
• Safe New Futures – Helps isolated and disadvantaged young people rethink their options and find new ways to move forward
• Saints Foundation – Saints Works engages 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (NEET) to develop their employability and life skills so they can take their first steps into the world of work
• Active for All – delivers further education programmes to people aged between 15 and 19 years old

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to build up your experience and impress employers. Find out more about volunteering.

Help with planning and applying for post-16 options

Engagement support

You can get support from one of our experienced engagement officers if you are:

• Aged 16 to 18, or 25 if care-experienced or with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Currently not in education, employment, or training
• At risk of leaving education, employment, or training without a progression plan

They can help you to explore your options and support you back into employment, education, or training.

Please complete this form if you are a young person, or on behalf of a young person, and the team will be in touch.

Flying Start Southampton

Resources to help you decide your options and plan for the future can be found on the Flying Start website.

Applications

Applications to college

If you have applied to college you will receive information on next steps from that college. They may ask you to bring predicted grades to enrolment or you may sit an assessment to make sure you are on the right level of course.

If you have applied and do not hear back from them, contact the college.

Here are some local colleges:

• Richard Taunton Sixth Form College
• South Hampshire College Group
• Itchen College
• Bitterne Park 6th Form
• St Annes 6th Form

Applications for apprenticeships

Make sure you are registered. Vacancies to start in the autumn will already be out and will increase over the coming months.

Support with applying can be found on our apprenticeships page.

Unsure about your September plans?

Contact your school careers department for support.

Alternatively you can contact National Careers Service through the National Careers Service website.

Or you can call 0800 100 900.

What you choose to do will depend on where you want it to lead you. What career ideas have you got? Do the research and make sure you are heading in the right direction.