Aged 15 -16?
In Year 11 you will be busy taking exams and choosing what to do next. Check out our Year 11 calendar to find out what happens when.
To help you with your choices, you could think about what subjects you like, the type of learning that suits you best and if you would like to carry on studying. Your choices are to:
- Learn full-time at school sixth form or sixth form college
- Learn full-time or part-time at further education (FE) college
- Learn partly at work and at further education college (FE) or with a training provider
- Start work
- Do some voluntary work
Full-time Education
You can stay in full-time learning at school sixth form, sixth form college, or further education (FE) college. Find out as much as you can about the schools and colleges that offer the courses you like by reading their prospectuses and going to open days. Check out UCAS Progress for details of courses and apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships
If you get a job which offers an apprenticeship you can work towards a qualification, learn new skills, get on the job training and earn money all at the same time.
Apprenticeships lead to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), Key Skills qualification and technical certificates such as BTEC or City and Guilds. Most apprentices earn a salary set by their employer. For more info on Apprenticeships check out our Apprenticeship page
Foundation Learning
Training on a Foundation Learning programme can help you to get on to an apprenticeship, into work or further learning. For more info check out our Foundation Learning page
Applying for courses after year 11
You can apply for a course on LeCAP - the Leicester and Leicestershire Common Application Process. You should be able to get a user name and password from your current school or college.
Guaranteed offer of a course, apprenticeship or other learning in September
If you’re aged 16 or 17 and coming towards the end of a school or college course, the ‘September Guarantee’ means that you’ll definitely be able to continue learning. Everyone in this age group is guaranteed an offer of a place on an appropriate course. The offer can be of:
- Full or part-time education in a school 6th form, 6th form college or FE college.
- An apprenticeship.
- Foundation learning
The offer must meet your needs. So, it will have to take account of the qualifications you already have, be somewhere that you can travel to, and the sort of learning you want to do. A Connexions adviser can help you find and apply for a suitable course, apprenticeship or other learning opportunity.
Starting Work
School-leavers can start work or training full-time after the last Friday in June. If you haven't found a job or apprenticeship by this time you need to register for work at one of our local Connexions centres. We can help you to find a job and/ or a training place.
If you find a job that doesn’t offer any training you may be able to have Time Off for Study and Training. 16 and 17 year-olds can have paid time off work, to study or train for a qualification. You can do this if you’re not at school or college full-time and don’t have a Level 2 qualification or above.
16 and 17 year-olds at work should get the National Minimum Wage. You must be paid at least £3.64 per hour unless you are an apprentice when you should be paid a minimum of £2.60 per hour.
