Options after Year 11
Many young people will have no firm career plans in year 8 or 9 when they choose their subjects for Key Stage 4. Even so it is important for them to start thinking about subjects which might affect their choices at 16. In general, whatever subjects they choose for Key Stage 4 there will still be a range of options open to them after Year 11.
However, for some A level courses, such as maths, French or science, your son/daughter will need to have achieved a certain grade in the same subject at GCSE in order to continue with the subject at A level. Furthermore, some university courses will specify certain GCSE grades in their entry requirements, particularly for maths or science degrees.
What are their options at 16?
By law, all young people need to participate in education or training for at least two years until they are 18 years of age. Their options after Year 11 are:
- Full-time education at school, further education college or sixth form college
- Academic qualifications such as A levels
- New technical qualifications called T Levels
- Vocational (technical) qualifications including BTEC and City & Guilds
- Foundation level learning programme
- Apprenticeships
- An apprenticeship with training and paid work
- A flexible package of work or volunteering and learning
- Part-time education or training, combined with paid work or volunteering
Your son or daughter will not be limited to continuing with the same subjects or type of course they have taken to the end of Year 11. For example, someone taking GCSEs may decide to progress onto A levels or may take an apprenticeship or technical qualification.
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