Options @14+

1. This series of PowerPoint presentations complements the programme which supports young people to make choices in Year 9. The Practitioners section on the Connexions Derbyshire website www.connexions-derbyshire.org includes lesson plans which go with this presentation. Information last updated February 2011.

2. @ Options @14+

3. Decision making Qualifications explained Post-14 options Progression pathways

4. Before you make your next move you need to think about the way you make decisions. You can make decisions by: • rolling a dice • copying your friends • sticking a pin in a list • doing what other people say, or • using a thoughtful method and taking your time about it.

5. for finding out who is going first in a game you’d probably roll the dice friends might have an influence on the clothes you choose but, when it comes to choosing what to do in Year 10 and the rest of your life, you wouldn’t use either of these ways, would you? Decision making The way you use will depend on what you’re choosing! For example:

6. So, what do you need to think about when you’re making your decision ? • What I want from a course. • What I can offer a course. • What a course offersme. • What a course wantsfrom me.

7. If what I want is what the course offers and if what the course is offering is what I want I’ve got a match!

8. What I wantfrom a course might be: fun and interesting lessons learning new information a qualification hands on activities to stay in one school, or to travel around. project work and course work

9. What I can offer a course might be my: qualities skills learning style ability to learn culture and values. health, or

10. What a course might offerme: an adult environment a varied programme a qualification the chance to make new friends familiar surroundings learning in different places, or

11. What a course wantsfrom me: to be a problem solver good attendance being able to study independently to be motivated and a self-starter to be a good team worker. to meet the health requirements of the course, or

12. What I want from my course ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ………………………………………… Put in order of importance A formula for making career decisions Self awareness

13. What the course offers ………………………………………… ……………………………………..…. ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ……………………………………...… ……………………………………..…. A formula for making career decisions Option awareness

14. What I can offer my course ………………………………………… ……………………………………..…. ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ……………………………………...… ……………………………………..…. A formula for making career decisions Self awareness

15. A formula for making career decisions Option awareness What the course wants from me ………………………………………… ……………………………………..…. ………………………………………… ………………………………………… ……………………………………...… ……………………………………..….

16. What I want from my course What the course offers What I can offermy course ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… What the course wants from me ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… …………………………

17. Now you have a way of making decisions about your options. So it’s time to get started…!

18. This section features a brief guide to the main qualifications available for young people in Years 10 and 11. Information about qualifications is changing all the time, please check our websites for the latest information at www.connexions-derbyshire.org and www.routes-ahead.org

19. Qualifications explained You need to: • get an options booklet from school • look on www.routes-ahead.org for all the details of the course • ask your Connexions Personal Adviser for further information on qualifications when making your choices, and • go to the options evening at school to find out more about the courses that interest you.

20. GCSEs • GCSEs are one of the main qualifications for young people in Years 10 and 11. • There are eight grades of GCSE - A* A B C D E F G and there is a wide range of subjects to choose from. • There are GCSEs in vocational subjects related to areas of work. Many of these are worth two GCSEs. • Lots of other qualifications are described in terms of how many GCSEs they’re worth. • GCSEs are a mixture of exams and controlled assessments. • For more information look at the Education section of our website www.connexions-derbyshire.org

21. Diplomas — a new qualification for the 21st century: what are they and what do they do? • Diplomas are new qualifications which offer a more practical way of gaining essential skills that universities and employers are looking for. • Diplomas are available in different employment areas such as Creative and Media and Business, Administration and Finance. • The new Diplomas are only available in someschools. Have a look on www.routes-ahead.org to see if you’re school is offering them. Home

22. You can do a Diploma in Years 10 and 11 at: • Foundation Level — equal to five GCSEs at grades D to G, or • Higher Level — equal to seven GCSEs at grades A* to C. • They are flexible qualifications which will sit alongside, and may incorporate GCSEs and other qualifications.

23. What’s in a Diploma? • Diplomas will be made up of a combination of: • principal — or main — learning: • learning about the job sector, such as IT, which matches what goes on in the workplace now and the jobs you can do • additional or specialist learning: • offers the chance to study a topic you’re interested in, in more detail, and Back Forward Home

24. general learning including: • everyday skills in maths, English and IT called Functional Skills • Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTs) which will help you develop teamwork and communication skills • a personal project connected with your Diploma which you can plan and organise, and • a minimum of ten days work experience.

25. BTECs • They focus on broad areas of work such as health and social care. • In Years 10 and 11 you can do them at level 1 or level 2. • Level 1 BTECs are equivalent to GCSE grades D-G. • Level 2 BTECs are equivalent to up to four GCSEs grade A* to C • There is a mixture of continuous assessment, tests and work experience.

26. NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) • There are NVQs for almost all job areas. • They are divided into five levels. You can do an NVQ level 1 or 2 in Years 10 and 11. • They are usually assessed on-the-job and through a portfolio of written evidence. • In Years 10 and 11 they are usually completed with the help of a nearby college or training provider.

27. Foundation Learning You can work towards Entry Level or Level 1 qualifications It has been created to help you progress to level 2 — GCSE grades A* to C or equivalent. It allows you to work at your own pace to get skills and qualifications you need to succeed such as awards, certificates, diplomas and Functional Skills.

28. Awards, Certificates and Diplomas • These are work-related courses available at some schools. • Functional Skills • Functional Skills mean being able to use English, maths and IT confidently and independently in everyday life and work. • Employers need people with these skills. • You can do them as part of a new Diploma or through your English, maths and IT lessons.

29. School Sixth Employment Training College Form Higher Education Employment Progression routes

30. Entry Level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Foundation Learning How qualifications fit together - general framework School 11-14 Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) ASDAN Foundation Learning Foundation Diploma NVQ level 1 VRQ level 1 14-16 Higher Diploma GCSE A*-C Young Apprenticeship VRQ level 2 NVQ level 2 16+ Higher Education Sixth Form Foundation Diploma GCSE D-G NVQ level 1 VRQ level 1 Higher Diploma GCSE A*-C NVQ level 2 VRQ level 2 Advanced or Progression Diploma A/AS levels VRQ level 3 18+ Foundation Degree Degree HND or HNC NVQ level 4 Higher Apprenticeship College Entry level certificate, award or diploma Higher Diploma GCSE A*-C NVQ level 2 VRQ level 2 Advanced or Progression Diploma AS/A levels NVQ level 3 VRQ level 3 Foundation Diploma GCSE D-G NVQ level 1 VRQ level 1 Training NVQ level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship Foundation Learning NVQ level 1 NVQ level 2 Apprenticeship Employment NVQ level 1 NVQ level 2 NVQ level 3 How can you progress through them?

31. Most schools offer GCSEs, but here are some new and exciting options you may not have heard of: • Young Apprenticeships, and • Diplomas in: • IT • Engineering • Creative and Media • Construction and the Built Environment • Hospitality • Business, Administration and Finance • Hair and Beauty Studies • Environmental and Land-Based Studies • Public Services • Society, Health and Development • Travel and Tourism • Retail Business, or • Sport and Active Leisure.

32. Young Apprenticeships These are fairly new options, only available in some schools, for motivated pupils between 14 and 16 who want to do some work-related learning and gain vocational qualifications alongside their GCSEs.

33. Young Apprenticeships involve: • learning about broad job areas such as health and social care or engineering • working towards vocational qualifications, such as NVQs. You can study them in the classroom, at college or with training providers • two half days a week over two years, or one full day a week over two years and block placement • practical work with some theory lessons, for example in health and safety, and • a chance to do a taster course in Year 9.

34. Applying for Young Apprenticeships: • Unlike most of the options you choose in Year 9, you will need to apply for a Young Apprenticeship. • You may face some competition for a place. • You will need your parents’ support. • It means getting good levels in your SATs or predicted GCSE grades. • You will have an informal interview – your parents may be invited too. • You may have a skills test. • You will need to have a good attendance record. • You will need to show you have a positive attitude to the course.

35. Depending on how well you do in your Young Apprenticeship, you could move on to an Apprenticeship at level 2 or level 3 - and progress quickly in these - or other qualifications after Year 11.

36. Diplomas are a new qualification you may be able to do. Diplomas are: • work based qualifications in areas like IT and engineering • a combination of theory and practice • a flexible qualification approved by employers with extra qualifications in English and maths • a chance to work in alternative places such as workshops with at least ten days work experience, and • a qualification worth between five and seven GCSEs.

37. In Derbyshire in 2010 Diplomas are available in: • IT • Engineering • Creative and Media • Construction and the Built Environment • Hospitality • Business, Administration and Finance • Hair and Beauty Studies • Environmental and Land-Based Studies • Public Services • Society, Health and Development • Travel and Tourism • Retail Business, or • Sport and Active Leisure. • Check in your school’s options booklet or on Routes Ahead to see if a Diploma is available to you.

38. The choices that you make now will shape the path to your working life.

39. Where will my qualifications lead after 16? • The world of work is changing: • many young people who are in school now will be doing jobs that haven’t even been thought of. • Being a life-long learner will: • help you get what you want from life • make the most of your talents • make sure you can adapt to the changing world of work, and • be what employers are looking for!

40. Post-16 options • Your progress after Year 11 • There are three main options • Continue in full-time education – this could be at your school’s sixth form, at another school’s sixth form or at a college • Go on to an Apprenticeship • Get a job – preferably with training

41. School Sixth Employment Training College Form Higher Education Employment Progression routes

42. Entry Level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Foundation Learning How qualifications fit together - general framework School 11-14 Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) ASDAN Foundation Learning Foundation Diploma NVQ level 1 VRQ level 1 14-16 Higher Diploma GCSE A*-C Young Apprenticeship NVQ level 2 VRQ level 2 16+ Higher Education Sixth Form Foundation Diploma GCSE D-G NVQ level 1 VRQ level 1 Higher Diploma GCSE A*-C NVQ level 2 VRQ level 2 Advanced or Progression Diploma A/AS levels VRQ level 2 18+ Foundation Degree Degree HND or HNC NVQ level 4 Higher Apprenticeship College Entry level certificate, award or diploma Higher Diploma GCSE A*-C NVQ level 2 VRQ level 2 Advanced or Progression Diploma A/AS levels NVQ level 2 VRQ level 2 Foundation Diploma GCSE D-G NVQ level 1 VRQ level 1 Training NVQ level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship Foundation Learning NVQ level 1 NVQ level 2 Apprenticeship Employment NVQ level 1 NVQ level 2 NVQ level 3 How can you progress through them?

43. Remember If you start on a pathway and you enjoy it, there will be a way to move up the ladder. Good luck!

44. To help you find your pathway from Year 9 find out some more information by looking at: • www.connexions-derbyshire.org • www.routes-ahead.org - the prospectus with all the course details you’ll need • Which Way Now? booklet • www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u • Kangaroo • Kudos • Fast Tomato, or • Launchpad. Need some help with the info? Speak to your teacher or your Connexions PA.

45. If you’re having problems choosing what to do, remember there are people who can help. • Speak to: • your tutor • your subject teacher • Your PHSE teacher • your careers co-ordinator, or • your Connexions PA. • Why not see what other young people have done by looking at some of the Careersbox video clips at www.careersbox.co.uk • Or look at the Thinking of a career in series of leaflets in your school information point.

46. @ Options @14+