Opportunities at Post 16 Evening Tuesday 10 th November 2015

1. Opportunities at Post 16 Evening Tuesday 10th November 2015

2. Our Post 16 Team Kathryn Williams Assistant Headteacher David Blight Head of Sixth Form Elaine McStravick Careers Advisor

3. Overview 1. Procedures for joining PCHS 6th Form 2015-16 2. The range of qualifications available 3. Alternative pathways – Training and Employment

4. Why Choose PCHS? • Consistency • Care • Community

5. Life in our Sixth Form • Ask questions because we recruit with integrity • Develop independence • University or Apprenticeships • Everyday counts • Punctuality and work ethic • Bursaries • Taster days • GCSEs

6. Life in our Sixth Form • Student Leadership • Extra-curricular Activities • Advice and Guidance • Data Drops • New School

7. Life in the Sixth Form

9. Achievement and Destinations • 99% pass rate • 46.2% of all grades were A*-B • Vast majority of applicants were successful in gaining their first or second university course choice. • A high percentage of those who went to University, went to Russell Group Universities. • There are currently just over 210 students in Year 12 and in Year 13 in the Sixth Form. • Average class size of 10-15. • Varied curriculum – something for everyone!

10. Most Popular Destinations Listed here are the most popular university destinations for PCHS Year 13 students in 2015:- • York University • Durham University • Leeds University • Manchester University • Sheffield University • Newcastle University • Glasgow University • Sheffield Hallam University • Leeds Metropolitan University • Northumbria University • Teesside University • Sunderland University • Newcastle College

11. What our students have to say Alex Roney Browyn Davies Jones Thomas Wholey Jenny Lloyd Jade Hepple Faye Randall Jess Erving

12. A-Level Subjects currently offered in our Sixth Form Art and Design Biology Chemistry Design Technology (Graphics or Textiles) English Language English Literature History Geography Mathematics Further Mathematics MFL (French or Spanish) Music Philosophy and Ethics Physics Physical Education Applied Science Sociology NB: All details are correct as of time of print but are subject to change.

13. Vocational Subjects currently offered in our Sixth Form (BTECs and Cambridge Nationals etc.) Engineering Creative and Media Health and Social Care Business Studies ICT Sport Performance Studies NB: All details are correct as of time of print.

14. A levels are not easy and are considered to be the “academic” option This does not mean the best or superior option. Anyone expecting mainly Bs and higher should do A-levels unless there is clearly a better alternative for them. Students expecting at least 5A*-C grades at GCSE, particularly if this includes English and Maths should be seriously considering taking A-levels. Who should consider A-Levels?

15. Vocational qualifications are also not easy but provide students with more opportunities for continuous assessment rather than lots of examinations. They are also more precisely linked to the world of work and some qualifications provide students with work experience opportunities. Students who have achieved a good crop of C grades would benefit from Vocational qualifications. However, some of most able students have completed Vocational Qualifications alongside A-Levels and gone off to excellent universities. Who should consider Vocational Qualifications?

16. Current Entry Criteria General Entry Criteria • Attitude to learning in Year 10 and Year 11 suggests Sixth Form route is appropriate • Appropriate course A-Level courses • Minimum of 5 A* - C grades at GCSE in separate subjects • Some subjects have specific entry requirements • Vocational Pathways: • Ideally a minimum of 5A*-C at GCSE but a little more flexibility • We are an inclusive Sixth Form

17. A friendly piece of advice… Students must select the right course at the most appropriate Post-16 provider. This will take careful consideration. Post-16 students are a commodity because they can take their business anywhere – unlike pre-16 where they are allocated a school. This means students are the subjects or targets of advertising…

18. Watch out for.. A promise of money: All providers in Northumberland and beyond will give a student the same bursary, which is dictated only by their circumstances Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics… There are countless ways to present results, many of which are misleading or meaningless

19. Alternative Pathways

20. Alternatives to Sixth Form College Training Employment

21. Why is careers guidance so important? It’s all about making decisions…..

22. Over one third of you will live to at least 100 years old! So here we are… And so it all begins…. Lots of decisions… Approximate retirement age You’ve arrived! work, work, work! 2018 2065 2015 2100 2030 2050 2000 2004 2016 2021

23. The World of Work 20,000 different job titles available at any one time What does that mean for you? Advances in Technology mean less people but with higher skill levels are needed – as machines take over many of our job roles! It is estimated you may have between 5 – 7 different jobs in your life time! Technological progress means that you may do a job that doesn’t even exist today In 2000 social media was not even invented and many of todays jobs did not even exist

24. Job areas predicted to grow from 2015 to 2030 Construction + 41,000 Construction Project Managers Agriculture + 66,000 Farmers STEM + 50,000 Mechanical Engineers Health & Care + 530,000 Care Workers + 427,000 Nurses Education + 228,000 Secondary School Teachers Business & Finance + 241,000 Sales & Business Development Managers Information Technology + 60,000 IT Business Analysts +247,000 Programmers / Developers Protective Services + 31,000 Police Officers Transport & Logistics +12,000 Train & Tram Drivers Manufacturing + 70,000 Electricians

25. How do you make career choices? Consider what you know about yourself so far Talk to each other and other people – friends, relatives, teachers, employers….. Open your eyes and ears! Take notice of what is around you Take advantage of information and events Look at relevant websites Come and see me!

26. Further Education (FE) College • A2 and AS levels but a much wider range of vocational courses to choose from • You can do Level 1, 2 and 3 courses so would enter the course appropriate to your GCSE results • Different environment (and often facilities) to school • After College you can work, go to university or do an Advanced apprenticeship

27. Apprenticeships • This is where you work and train at the same time • Available in 170 industries across 1,500 job roles • They can take 1 to 4 years depending upon their level: • Intermediate – equivalent to 5 GCSE passes • Advanced – equivalent to 2 A levels • Higher and Degree – can lead to Levels 4 to 6 (degree) • You get paid (min £3.30 hour) and gain experience with an employer • It can be competitive to be accepted on a good apprenticeship Register with www.apprenticeships.gov.uk to find out more and search for opportunities

28. Employment • To work full time for an employer or be self-employed, must include one day a week working towards an approved and nationally recognised qualification. Therefore this will depend on the type of work they are doing.

29. Useful websites • School and College Websites • www.apprenticeships.org.uk • www.icould.com • www.cascade.co.uk/kudos • www.nationalcareerservice.direct.gov.uk • www.ucas.com • www.careerscape.co.uk

30. Enrolling in the Sixth Form – The Big Picture

31. Final Thoughts… • Year 11 is a gateway year • PB grades are the aim • Preparation should have already started • Lots of support available • Hard work will be rewarded

32. If you have a question… • Please jot down your question below and an email address we can contact you on. • We will endeavor to answer all queries by the end of term. Name of Student: Name of Parent: Question: Email address:

33. If you have a question… • Please jot down your question below and an email address we can contact you on. • We will endeavor to answer all queries by the end of term. Name of Student: Name of Parent: Question: Email address: