Year 11 Options
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. Visit our qualifications page to find out more about the different types qualifications on offer including A Levels, BTECs, and the Diploma.
Check out CourseFinder for details of courses and apprenticeships.
Download 'A guide to choosing your options for Year 12- The Diploma' (PDF)
Apprenticeships
If you choose work-based learning 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. Wages can start from £95 per week. The average salary is about £170 per week.
Apprentices who are not paid a wage – unwaged trainees – can apply for EMA - Education Maintenance Allowance. Your family income must be below £30,810 a year to qualify.
For more info on Apprenticeships check out our Apprenticeship page
Foundation Learning (formerly e2e)
Training on a Foundation Learning programme can help you to get on to an apprenticeship, into work or further learning. Young people on a Foundation Learning programme can apply for EMA - Education Maintenance Allowance.
For more info check out our Foundation Learning page
Applying for courses or apprenticeships after year 11
You can apply for a course or apprenticeship on the Leicester and Leicestershire Common Application Process form (LeCAP). You should be able to fill in a electronic LeCAP form 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 due to leave education 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 (formerly E2E)
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. Your Connexions personal adviser will be able to 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 £3.57 per hour, unless you are an apprentice and do not qualify.
It's Your Choice
Everything you need to know about choosing your post 16 options. Features:
Quizzes to find out which post-16 options would interest you. - Interactive planning to help you think about your options and planning your decision.
- Info on the different qualifications and where they can lead.
- Gaining the right work experience, improving your employability and deciding if higher education is right for you.
- A guide to finding work.
- How to get help and support with choosing your post 16 options.
Go to the It's Your Choice website.
Careers videos
Thinking of a career in catering?
TV chef and successful restaurateur Anthony Worrall Thompson shares his top tips on getting ahead in the catering industry.
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Podcast produced by Studio View www.studioview.co.uk
A career in IT
Doug Richard from Dragons Den tells us how to a love of gadgets can help you get a job in IT.
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Watch more careers videos on our careers video page
Hollyoaks options videos
Sasha from Hollyoaks talks to us about getting into acting, choosing your options after school and surviving her A levels.
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Zac from Hollyoaks gives us his tips on picking the right course, budgeting and what to do if you don't like your course.
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Podcast produced by Studio View www.studioview.co.uk
Watch more videos about choosing your options on our education and learning video page
Real Life Stories - Working and learning
Razual and Rachel both wanted to start work but were keen to learn at the same time. Click on the links below to find out about Rezaul's and Rachel's different experiences of continuing learning after starting work.
Rezaul, 19
"Getting a Saturday job led me to an apprenticeship"
Click here to follow Rezaul's experience
Rachel, 17
"I left school as quickly as I could"
Click here to follow Rachel's experience
Last Updated: 19-Aug-2010