The Clarendon Academy
Aspire to Excellence
My Transition Programme
Where will I be after Year 11 ?
October 2014

The Clarendon Academy
Aspire to Excellence
Note : TEN TORS
INFORMATION WILL BE
AVAILABLE SOON
Watch out for first meeting if you are interested

What are my options after Yr 11 ?
The Clarendon Academy
Aspire to Excellence
Raising the Participation Age (RPA)
Young people are now required to remain in either education or training until the age of 18 years.
This will also include the need to study English and Maths until a level 2 qualification is achieved (C grade at GCSE)

Step 1
• Chose an appropriate level of course that allows you to progress from your current level and suits your skills
Step 2
• Choose the best provider and a place that will support and nurture you
Step 3
• Check your progress against the entry qualifications
• Have an alternative plan in case you do not achieve all the grades you need. Have PLAN A and PLAN B
Applications in November in Year 11

The right decision is easier if you are FULLY informed
• Use the support offered – your tutor, Head of House,
Pastoral Support, subject staff and the careers team :
 Mr Nolan
 Mrs Thomas
 Polly Wiggins, Careers Advisor
 It is essential that you aim for the highest level of qualifications you can and match this with the right course

 Full-time Education (Sixth Form or College)
 An Apprenticeship – paid employment + training
 A Traineeship – unpaid work-based skill training and work experience
 Part-time education or training. IF you’re employed, self-employed or volunteering for 20 hours + per week

• What level of qualification I am working at now ?
• What will I achieve by the end of Year 11 ?
• What grades do I need to get onto the course I want ?
• How do A Levels compare to other types of qualification ?
• How do I know which type of course will suit my ability and skills ?
Every grade at GCSE counts

LEVELS Vocational Route
Skills in workplace
Vocational Subjects Route
Level 4 / 5
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Level 4 NVQ in Hotel
Management
Higher Apprenticeship
Level 3 NVQ in Hospitality
Advanced Apprenticeship
Level 2 NVQ in Catering
Intermediate Apprenticeship
Level 1 NVQ in Bakery
Higher National Diploma or
Certificate
Higher Apprenticeship
Level 3 Btec in :
Eg, Health and Social Care
Sport
Business Studies
Public Services
Level 2 Btec in :
Eg, Sport
Leisure and Tourism
ICT
Level 1
Eg Certificate in Construction
Skills Pathway course
Academic Subjects Route
Degree
Foundation Degree
Higher Apprenticeship
A Levels
Level 3 Btecs
GSCE grades A* - C
GCSE grades D – G

• Level 3 qualifications assessed by exams in Year 13
• Familiar subjects, eg Geography, Physics, English Literature
• New subjects, Sociology, Psychology, Government and Politics
• Academic courses with an emphasis on discussion, analysis and evaluation. There is a need to have a high level of literacy. There is a high degree of independent learning in addition to practical activities, eg Fieldwork for Geography
• Entry requirements for many subjects is a grade B –A* at GCSE
• Highly regarded by employers and Universities

• Btec qualifications are more vocational based. You will study a subject in relation to how the skills are used in the employment sector.
• At level 3, Btecs are coursework based subjects that suit those who like to work with continuous assessment . At level 3 they also involve work placements
• In the Sixth Form we can offer some single subject Btecs, so you can study a mix of A levels and Btecs . We also offer the Extended
Diploma (you study just one subject)
• If you study a Btec in College (eg, Trowbridge, Lackham, Bath) you will take one fulltime course only. An Extended Diploma is the equivalent of 3 A levels

What is an apprenticeship?
 Full-time job
 Train for NVQ qualifications
 1 – 4 years long
 Very wide range of employment sectors
 Intermediate (level 2) Advanced (level 3) or Higher Levels
 Minimum wage currently £2.73 per hour
 Need C grades in English and Maths for most intermediate apprenticeships
 Traineeships – 6 month programme of unpaid training and work experience

The Clarendon Academy
Aspire to Excellence
• Letter to parents / carers outlining a timeline for support and guidance
• Next Week – letter outlining arrangements for Private Work experience placements
• Key Activities :
 Academic Board Meetings
 Career appointments
 College Open Days
 Parents Evening, 16 th October
Be aware of Progress Reports and other key dates, eg Guided
Mock exams in November and
Full Mock exams next June
 Letter to introduce arrangements for Work Experience
 Work Related Learning week in July 2015

The Clarendon Academy
Aspire to Excellence
• Visits to Trowbridge College, Lackham and Bath University
• Looking at types of employment / careers
• Apprenticeship workshop
• Armed Forces workshop
• Engineering and other STEM opportunities
• WEX opportunities
• CV writing and Interview skills
• Mock interviews

Hairdresser
Armed forces
Travel and Tourism Engineer
Veterinary Nurse
Teacher
Nurse
Retail
Journalist
Plumbing
Sports Coach
IT technician Lawyer
Receptionist
Accountant
Child Care
Farmer
Musician
Health Visitor
Mechanic
Hospitality
Doctor
Own business Marketing
Physicist
Computer Programmer
Marine Biologist

… the more you know about yourself and what options are out there, the more likely you are to succeed in your career

Figures from a 2010 study
 On average, people with 5 GCSEs at C grade or above
earn 7% more an hour than those with grades below C
 25% of young adults without C grades at GCSE are
unemployed (compared to just 16% of those with Cs or above)
 The better your GCSEs, the more likely you are to find work & the better you’ll be paid!

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The more you do this year the easier it will be next year
It’s not too early to start your careers thinking
Sign up for a careers appointment in
Resources
Find out more online: yourcareersportal.com
(password: futures)
Follow link to this from school website

From the home page …
Go to students
Go to Futures
Go to
Career Pilot an excellent site for all careers advice
Also follow the link to Polly`s site y ourcareersportal.com
(password: futures)

http://www.careerpilot.org.uk/