Post 16 learning options
4. Making your choice
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?