Education including specialist programmes
What can I do after Year 11? 🎓
This section will help you explore your education choices after Year 11. You can learn about college or sixth form and what they are like.
Are there other options? 🤔
Yes, there might be! Your options can depend on lots of things but also whether you need:
- No extra support
- A bit of extra support
- A lot of extra support
Everyone is different, and that’s okay.
How this section can help 💡
Help You Choose will:
- Show you the different options you can choose from
- Help you find what works best for you
- Explain how to apply if it’s right for you
Find out more
Here are some common questions young people with SEND have asked before applying:
- Who can help me if I need extra support?
- How do I get help from Norfolk County Council (like the EHCP or PFAL teams)?
- What should I do before I apply?
- Who can help if I’m worried about money or travel? 🚍💷
- How can I feel less nervous about starting somewhere new?
- What will a normal day be like at college or sixth form? 📚
- If I need extra support or equipment, who do I talk to before I apply?
- What happens after I get an offer for a course?
- How can I get ready for my first day? ✅
This guide: Transition from secondary school to post 16. A guide for parents and carers is written for parents and carers although you might find some sections helpful too with answers to some of your questions 👍
⚠️ This guide is due an update soon, so some links might not work right now.
Have you checked out the Education info and advice section on Help You Choose yet?
This might be a good place to start especially if you are finding out about your choices for the first time. It has information about:
- different qualifications such as academic or vocational and the differences between them 🎓
- Different qualification levels - such as Entry Level, Level 1, 2 and 3
- what you can study - such as Foundation Learning, A levels, BTEC, T Levels etc
- where you can study - like sixth forms, colleges and other providers
- what grades or requirements you might need
- tips to help with your applications ✍️
You can also find:
- revision tips ✅
- info about the Higher Aspirations Scheme
- free resources that could be really helpful
💷 Paying for courses
Most full-time courses are free if you are aged 16 to 19.
🤝 Extra support funding
If you need extra help, your college or training provider can ask Norfolk County Council for extra funding This is called high needs funding.
🔎 Find out more
Extra funding is not available for all young people but you can learn more using the link to the: Norfolk Local Offer (funding information)
👍 Good to know
This funding can help with things like: Extra support in lessons Specialist equipment Help to reach your goals 😊
Where can I get help?
Do you need more help at school?
If you're under 16 and at school and think you might need some extra help, you school SENCO is the best person to approach in the first instance. A SENCO, or Special Educational Needs Coordinator, is a senior member of the teaching staff in schools, responsible for leading and managing the SEND provision.
The following websites can also guide you towards other help support:
Norfolk SENDIASS - has a range of online bite-size training video's, information pages, frequently asked questions and useful links about Education.
Norfolk County Council Local Offer - has information for parents that you might find useful.
Support from Norfolk County Council and GOV.UK 🌐
Did you know Norfolk County Council has loads of services to support young people?
You can find out more in the Local Offer section called People Who Can Help You Prepare for Adult Life. It includes the SEND and inclusion support line and chat service for families and professionals looking for support and advice. This link will take you directly to the services.
If you’re not currently in work, education or training (sometimes called NEET) and you’re aged 16–18 (or under 25 with an EHCP), you can get free support from an adviser.
You can contact them by:
- Calling 0344 800 8022 📞
- Emailing helpyouchoose@norfolk.gov.uk ✉️
They’re there to help you figure out your next steps and support you along the way.
Further Information and Support
Understanding different types of education
It can feel confusing to understand the different types of education. Your SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) can help you with this. Mainstream schools and colleges are for most students. They are different from special schools and other types of support. You can read more information below.
>Studying at a mainstream college or sixth form (age 16+)
Lots of young people with SEND go to a mainstream college or sixth form. You can get extra support if you need it. This could be a good option for you if:
- You need some support
- You may not have an EHCP
- Or you have an EHCP and want a mainstream setting
How to apply
You can apply:
- On Help You Choose, or
- Directly to a college or sixth form provider
What you can find on Help You Choose
Help You Choose can help you look at different options:
- Full-time courses (Entry level, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3)
- A SEND section (Includes inclusive learning courses and more)
- Opportunities Now Courses to help you: build confidence, get ready for work or prepare for full-time learning
Important to know
At college, your timetable may be different. Some courses are 3 days a week, not 5 days like school. You can use the other days to:
- Try new activities
- Build skills
- Get ready for work
There are some ideas below.
👉 Find out more
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click: Mainstream and specialist SEND courses in further education – from age 16
>Specialist further education providers from age 16
🌱 Specialist education (extra support)
Some young people aged 16+ may need more support than a mainstream college or sixth form can offer. If this is you, there could be specialist education options available.
📋 Do I need an EHCP?
For most specialist options, you will need an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan). Some options do not need an EHCP.
❗ How to apply
You cannot apply through Help You Choose. But there are links on Help You Choose to show you what to do.
🔎 Where to find information
Scroll to the bottom of this page and go to: Specialist further education providers from age 16. Here you will find links to:
- Special schools and specialist colleges
- Independent specialist providers
- Supported internships (to help you build work skills)
- Care farms (you may not need an EHCP)
👍 What this means
These options can help you:
- Get more one-to-one support
- Learn at your own pace
- Build skills for independence and work
>Education options (age 18+)
Some 16+ options may still be available when you are 18 or older. It is a good idea to read the 16+ sections too. They may still apply to you.
🔎 Looking for 18+ options?
Scroll to the bottom of this page and click on: Education options for young people aged 18+
Other Information in the Education section
