Post 16 Options
Preparing for options after Year 11 can never start too early. One excellent resource from Hertfordshire, our neighbouring county, is the HOP into Careers Service.
Students in Years 9, 10, and 11 need to be informed and actively explore all available options. The three options available are:
Sixth Form
Our Sixth form offers a wide range of A-level subjects and BTEC courses, as well as opportunities for personal development and preparation for higher education or the workplace.
Colleges
The three local colleges are Bedford College, Shuttleworth College, and North Hertfordshire College. Please use the links below to visit their websites and explore the future options available.
https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/
https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/colleges-and-campuses/shuttleworth-college/
https://www.nhc.ac.uk/
Going to college after Year 11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Haepl9smdMQ
Apprenticeships
Upon completing Year 11, students have the option of pursuing Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeships. Below are some useful websites available for finding apprenticeship opportunities:
- Gov.uk - Find an Apprenticeship
- Gov.uk - Become an Apprentice
- UCAS - Apprenticeships
- UCAS - Apprenticeships Application Guides
- Careerpilot - Apprenticeships
- IfATE - Apprenticeship Standards
- HIGHERiN
Many companies also offer apprenticeships. Please see below for some examples of large companies that invite students to apply for a wide variety of apprenticeships every year:
- Specsavers
- Network rail
- Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office services: FCDO
- MBDA
- ASK apprenticeships
- Santander
- Unilever
- Glaxo
- University of Bedfordshire apprenticeships
- NHS
- Transport For London
- National Highways
T Levels (Technical Level Qualifications)
T Levels are two-year, Level 3 technical qualifications taken after GCSEs in England. Broadly equivalent to three A Levels, they combine 80% classroom learning with a mandatory 45-day industry placement (20%). It is designed directly by employers and education experts to prepare you for skilled employment, a higher apprenticeship, or university.
Classroom Time: You spend around 80% of your time in a school or college studying the technical core and occupational specialisms.
Industry Placement: You complete a substantial work placement (at least 315 hours) to get real, on-the-job experience in your chosen field.
Available Subject Areas include::
- Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care
- Business and Administration
- Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing
- Digital, Creative and Design
- Education and Early Years
- Health and Science
- Legal, Finance and Accounting
Please access these websites for more information on T Levels along with local providers of T Level qualification: