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Post 16 learning options

When you have finished Year 11 at school, you may want to stay in education to get the skills and qualifications needed to help you move towards your chosen outcome, which may be a job. There are lots of post 16 education or training options available in Lancashire. You will need to think about which one best suits your needs, interests and future plans.

This information should help you to understand the routes available.

There are various education routes once you finish school so there should be one which interests you.  If you've been at a school with a sixth form, you may decide that you want to stay there.  If you want to study somewhere else, one of these options may be right for you:

  • College - there are eight colleges in Lancashire, including one sixth form college and one land based college

  • School sixth form - there are a range of school sixth forms and academies with sixth forms across the county

  • Work based learning – there are lots of education and training providers in Lancashire. They offer work based learning opportunities, often specialising in specific industries or sectors.  Apprenticeships, traineeships and supported internships are examples of work based learning options

  • Special school with a sixth form – there are some with a specialism to support certain types of need, such as physical disabilities or autism

  • Independent specialist provider – there are some independent schools and colleges which make special education provision.

There are also education providers located outside Lancashire which might be a better choice. They might be closest to your home or offer the right course for you. You can choose a provider in Lancashire or outside the county.

There are lots of post 16 education and training options available in Lancashire. You need to understand what these are to help decide which is right for you. This will help you to progress towards your future.

UCAS

You can check out the UCAS website for more information on the post 16 options available. It has a range of helpful information, such as types of learning and what qualifications are available.

Colleges

Colleges have information about the courses available and the support they offer on their websites. They may use different headings such as:

  • '16-18 courses', 'school leavers' or 'sixth form centre' - for general courses

  • 'foundation learning' – for courses specifically designed for young people with a special educational need and disability (SEND) or with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

  • 'student services' or 'student support' – on the support available at the college

Students taking an academic or vocational course will follow an individualised package of learning called a study programme. This will help you to progress towards your chosen destination. You can find out more about study programmes on UCAS.

Apprenticeships and supported internships

If you are interested in a work-based learning option, you can find more information on:

You should discuss these options with the careers adviser at your school.

What qualification levels mean

Qualifications are available at different levels. The higher the level, the more difficult the course to achieve the qualification. There are 9 qualification levels and you can read more about qualification levels on GOV.UK.

To help you decide which option is right for you, your school will provide you with information, advice and guidance on what is available. Your future plans should also be discussed during your annual review, usually from Year 9 onwards, including any support you might need in your chosen route. 

Think about what interests you, what subjects you have enjoyed at school, what job you would like to do.  Be aspirational and stretch yourself, you never know what your future may hold.  You may change your mind about what you want to do when you leave school and that is fine – in fact, that's normal!!  As long as you are aware of all the options available to you, you can make an informed decision.

There are lots of other things you and your family can do to help you decide, such as:

  • Visiting providers to see what they offer, what facilities they have and where you would be learning

  • Attending taster sessions and open events

  • Looking on provider websites and reading their prospectus'

  • Reading the Ofsted inspection report for the provider and especially what it says about support for special educational needs

  • Think about how you will get there and if you can get any help towards the cost of travel. The local authority's post 16 transport policy statement sets out the transport support available to young people up to the age of 25 who have a special educational need or disability (SEND) or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in further education or learning. 

  • Look at the results for the provider on the Department for Education's performance tables

To help you decide on the right provider, you need to be sure they can meet your needs. You should find out the answers to questions such as:

  • Will I have access to assistive technology?

  • Will I get support at breaks and lunchtime?

  • Will I be able to access all parts of the campus?

  • Are there staff who can give me my medication?

  • What support is available in class?

  • What support can I access for exams?

Once you have decided where you want to go after school your school and chosen provider will help you prepare for your move into post 16 education or training.

Your school can arrange for you to have taster days at your chosen provider. This means you can start to find your way around and maybe sit in a class or two to see how things work.

Your school will make your chosen provider aware of any support needs you have. This means that they can make the appropriate arrangements for when you enrol.

If you have an education, health and care (EHC) plan, the review process should be completed by 31 March in your final year at school or at least five months before you move.

This is to help your new provider to understand your needs and put in place any support you need for when you start.

If you have SEN support needs, it is good practice for your school to share as much information as possible with your new provider so that they understand your needs and can put the right support in place for when you start.

The way your support is provided may be different to what happens now but this does not mean that you will not receive high quality support at your new provider.

If you want more information and support about moving from school to college:

  • if you receive SEN support at school - contact the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) at your school

  • if you have an education, health and care (EHC) plan - contact your special educational needs and disabilities officer (SENDO) at the local authority

Support

The 16-19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help young people overcome any financial barriers to participation. Your college or school sixth form can tell you if you are eligible for support. You can find more information on on the 16-19 bursary fund on GOV.UK.   

If you have any problems or are worried about anything, please speak to your class teacher or your tutor in the first instance. If you want to speak to someone else, you can contact the following free, impartial and confidential Lancashire County Council services: