12/10/16
SIXTH FORM /
COLLEGE
APPLICATIONS
THIS DOCUMENT WILL HELP YOU TO FOCUS YOUR
RESEARCH
This
guide is to help you with your choice of qualification/subject and college/6th
form, it is very important that you start to research this at the beginning of
the autumn term of year 11.
You
can also see Mrs James the Careers Adviser and you can then discuss your
choices of course, institution and career but this may be after some of the
college/6th form open days as they can be as early as the third week of the
autumn term - so it is vital that you start the research early.
If
you are interested in applying for an apprenticeship these come in many career
areas but you would be advised to also apply for a college/school place as a
backup plan.
Which course to take after Year 11
Think about
which level of course is right for you to take next year
Level 3 Courses
If you are
predicted to achieve at least 5 GCSEs A*-C (this is a minimum check the
requirements of your school and any other school or college you want to apply
to) then here are some of the courses you can apply for:
There have been
major changes to A levels. Some schools
and colleges will ask you to take 4 A levels some 3. In many cases you will
take the 4 A levels for the whole 2 years.
If you take 3 A levels you must take them for the 2 years as the
majority of universities will ask for 3 A levels. Consider the subjects carefully and if you
have career ideas make sure they are the correct A levels. There are a wide variety of subjects.
You will study
6 subjects (English, math’s, a language, science, humanities, and an arts
subject) 3 subjects at a higher level and 3 subjects at standard level. You will also have to study the theory of
knowledge, complete an extended essay and get involved in a further area which
could be voluntary work, a sport, a performing art etc.
BTEC Level 3
This course has
changed from 2016 entry and has exams as well as course work and tasks. It is for students who have an idea of their
future career area, for example, you want to work in engineering, sport etc.
When you look at schools or colleges and you see BTEC
Level 3 you need to be a where of the title of each one (as below) and
understand what they are equal to in terms of A levels and are marked
Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction*:
BTEC National Certificate = half of 1 A level
BTEC National Extended Certificate = 1 A level
BTEC National Foundation Diploma = 11/2 A levels
BTEC National Diploma = 2 A levels
BTEC National Extended Diploma = 3 A levels
Some schools or colleges will offer a mixture of A levels
and BTEC check out universities that
interest you will accept BTEC as part of the offer they might make to you.
With all the above courses you can apply to
University. To find out more about university go to www.ucas.com
Level 2 Courses
If you are
predicted to get fewer than 4 A*-C grades in your GCSEs (mainly Ds) this is an
alternative course you can apply for:
BTEC First
This course is
equal to 4 GCSEs A*-C and is marked Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction*.
Students can progress from this course on to a level 3 course (see page 3 for
the types of level 3 courses) if they obtain Merit or Distinction. You will be
assessed throughout the course. Think about different career areas and choose
the one most suitable for you.
GCSE Resits
If
you do not obtain English and Math’s GCSE in Year 11 you must take them again
in the 6th form as you will need a pass grade for jobs and
university.
If
you are not sure if you will get 5 A*-C GCSEs, then you should apply for some level 2
and some level 3 courses.
Level 1 courses
If you
are predicted to get F-Gs in your GCSE’s then here are some courses you can
apply for:
BTEC Level 1 Introductory Qualification (this can be a Certificate or
Diploma)
It is
for students who have an idea of their future career for example working with
catering or hairdressing; you will be assessed throughout the course. Students can
progress from this course on to the BTEC First (Level 2) with good grades and it
is marked Pass, Merit, Distinction. You will be assessed throughout the course.
Think about the wide variety of career areas and choose the one most suitable
for you.
Practical Courses (NVQ, City and Guilds etc)
If you are interested careers such as Motor Mechanic,
Electrician, Various construction jobs, plumbing, electrician, carpenter etc,
then look seriously at college courses as that is where you would take these
courses.
Choosing which subject/s to take
A good starting
point is to consider which future career interests you. If you research into
that
Career either
at your Careers Website (go to St Joseph’s Website and look at Careers) or online
you may find that there are some required/preferred courses needed for that
career, for example Chemistry and Biology for Medicine, Physics and Maths for
Engineering, a Child Care course for Nursery Work or a Hairdressing course to
work as a hairdresser. If you are not sure what course/career
you want there are websites that have a careers quizzes to give you ideas: Fasttomato
and Kudos (get the login code from Mr Power Head of Careers)
If you are likely to obtain 5 + GCSEs good grades think
about the following:
If you are
unsure about a future career and prefer to keep your career options open you
could choose a mixture of subjects at A level or IB. Just remember it’s
important to take qualifications linked to the career i.e. science
qualifications for a science based career. Art careers may also require art A
level or BTEC, plus a portfolio (a folder with your creative work).
Taking your
future career into consideration should help you determine whether you want to
take:
§
a course where you would study
several subjects (this could be A levels, or International Baccalaureate)
OR
§
a vocational subject like child
care, catering, animal care etc - usually meaning that you are interested in
that career path
Sometimes the
career path you want to follow will list qualifications at degree level for
example for a career as an engineer you would usually need a degree in
engineering, in this case look at those degrees using the UCAS website www.ucas.com and research into the entry qualifications
which are needed to take the recommended degrees. This should result in a
narrower list of level 3 qualifications which are required in order to take
that degree.
If you are think you might obtain
Ds-Gs then consider the following types of course
Think about which area you wish to follow
e.g. engineer, business, child care, beauty therapy, carpentry, plumbing etc.
and then apply to the suitable course, one example: If you would like to work in an office
eventually then business studies is a good option.
National Qualifications Framework (comparing
qualifications)
This educational table has been included to show that
certain qualifications are on a similar level to others.
LEVEL
|
GENERAL
QUALIFICATIONS
|
VOCATIONALLY-
RELATED
QUALIFICATIONS
|
OCCUPATIONAL
QUALIFICATIONS
|
Attainment
in a
subject
|
Attainment
in a vocational
area
|
Competence
in the
workplace
|
|
Level 4/5/6
|
Courses in Higher Education such as
HND/ Foundation Degree/ Degree
|
Courses in Higher Education such as
HND/ Foundation Degree/ Degree
|
NVQ 4/5/6 technical,
management and professional
|
Level 3
|
A/AS
International Baccalaure
|
BTEC National Certificate = half of 1 A level
BTEC National Extended Certificate = 1 A level
BTEC National Foundation Diploma = 11/2 A levels
BTEC National Diploma = 2 A levels
BTEC National Extended Diploma = 3 A levels
|
NVQ 3
Advanced Apprentice
Technician Supervisor
|
Level 2
|
4-5 GCSEs A*-C
|
BTEC First Diploma (= 4GCSE’s A-C)/Certificate(=
2 GCSE’s A-C)
|
NVQ 2
Apprentice/
crafts(wo)man
|
Level 1
|
4-5 GCSEs D-G
|
BTEC Level 1
|
NVQ 1
Basic skills e.g.
packer, typist,
checkout operator
|
Entry level
|
Preparation for Level 1
Qualifications
|
If you want to go on to a level 3 course you will need
a minimum of 4-5 A*-C GCSEs
If you want to go on to a level 2 course you will
usually need GCSEs D-E
(for GCSE resits usually Ds)
If you want to go on to a level 1 course you will
usually need GCSEs F-Gs
Schools/Sixth Forms/Further Education (FE)
Colleges - How to narrow your list
It is usually a
good idea to make notes about the different schools/colleges you are looking
at. You may find the "Research Tips" included at the bottom of this
document helpful. Keep a record of all of the places you look at, it will help
you to compare schools/colleges later. It is sometimes difficult to remember
what you liked about different ones after a few months! Further on in this
document there are lists of the many possible institutions where you can
continue your education after you have completed year 11.
Criteria to Consider:
Students
catered for
§
School 6th forms- students from
11-18 years (St Josephs, other schools with a 6th Form)
§
Sixth Form Centre/college - mainly
16-19 years
§
FE Colleges- all ages 16-60 years!
(e.g. Croydon, Merton, Lambeth )
Ease of Access
Check where it
is (if you are unsure look at Transport for London web site, google maps etc).
Don't forget you will be making this journey regularly in all weathers and will
need to be punctual. If you apply to schools/colleges some distance from your
home check their selection policy to make sure you do not live too far
away. This is more the case with some
schools rather than FE colleges.
Familiarity
Do you prefer to stay at St Joseph’s where
you are familiar with teaching staff and the
environment?
Qualifications
Taught
Does the
institution provide the qualifications that you want? There may be restrictions
in the combinations of A levels or they may or may not offer Vocational Qualifications.
Past Results
Results are
published yearly by the Times, BBC and other organisations, the recent versions
will be available by using an appropriate search for example "A level
results table 2016". You may need to contact the school/college for
results particular to a subject e.g. How did they do in Maths A level?
In Depth
Research
When you have
made a list of all the institutions you want to research look at their web
sites (addresses are listed) or email them (email addresses are listed) for a
prospectus.
Visits
Check the dates
of the open evenings, schools/colleges have online prospectuses. Think of any
questions you may need to be answered.
Applications
Check
the closing dates for applications and apply in good time. Make sure that you
are likely to obtain the grades required by the institutions. Apply to several places that ask for different grades
Schools/Colleges for research (arranged by Borough, e.g.
Croydon).
You will need to check
with each school/college in September/October
For the Open Days.
Also look at www.ucasprogress.com where you can search for courses, for
careers information look at Kudos and Fast tomato.
Care was taken to ensure the following
information was correct at the time of printing. Some Schools/Colleges require you to register
online for the open day.
|
Type
|
Local
Authority Name
|
Contact Number
|
Email
|
Website
address
| |
|
Sixth Form
|
Bromley
|
Hayes School
|
020
8462
2767
|
Go to website
to send a message
|
sch.uk
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Bromley
|
Langley Park
Boys (mixed in 6th form)
|
020
8650
5823
|
office@lpbs.org.uk
| |
|
Sixth Form
|
Bromley
|
Langley Park
Girls (mixed in 6th form)
|
020
8663
4199
|
info@lpgs.bromley.sch.uk
|
sch.uk
|
|
Further
Education College
|
Bromley
|
Bromley
College
To be renamed:
London and
South East Colleges
|
020
8295
7001
|
info@bromley.ac.uk
| |
|
Further
Education College
|
Bromley
|
As above
|
020
8295
7001
|
info@bromley.ac.uk
| |
|
Sixth Form
|
Bromley
|
The
Ravensbourne School
|
020
8290
8503
|
office@ravensbourne.info
|
info
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Bromley
|
St Olave’s and
St Saviour’s Grammar School
|
01689 820101
|
office@saintolaves.net
| |
|
Type
|
Local
Authority Name
|
Name
|
Contact Number
|
Email
|
Website
address
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Croydon
|
Archbishop
Tenison’s CofE High
|
020
8688
4014
|
office@archten.croydon.sch.uk
|
sch.uk
|
|
Specialist
College
|
Croydon
|
BRIT School
for Performing Arts
|
020
8665
5242
|
admin@brit.croydon.sch.uk
| |
|
Further
Education College
|
Croydon
|
Croydon
College
|
020
8686
5700
|
info@croydon.ac.uk
| |
|
Sixth Form
|
Croydon
|
Harris
Federation
|
020
8771
2261
020
7385
0102
|
info@harrispost16.org.uk
|
(this is
the website for all
Harris Schools)
|
|
Further E
College
|
Croydon
|
John Ruskin
College
|
020
8651
1131
|
|
www.johnruskin.ac.uk
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Croydon
|
St Joseph’s
College
|
020
8761
1426
|
admin@sjc.com
|
org.uk
|
|
Specialist
College
|
Hammersmith
and Fulham
|
The London
Oratory
|
020 7385 0102
|
6thregistrar@los.ac
|
|
|
Further
Education College
|
Islington
|
City &
Islington College
|
020 7700 9200
|
courseinfo@candi.ac.uk
| |
|
Sixth Form
|
Kensington and
Chelsea
|
Cardinal
Vaughan Memorial RC
|
020 7603 8478
|
mail@cvms.co.uk
| |
|
Sixth Form
|
Lambeth
|
Bishop Thomas
Grant
|
02087693294
|
info@btg-secondary.Lambeth.sch.uk
|
www.btg.ac
|
|
Sixth form
|
Lambeth
|
Dunraven
School
|
020 8677 2431
|
info@dunraven.org.uk
|
www.dunraven.org.uk
|
|
Further
Education College
|
Lambeth
|
Lambeth
College
|
020 7501 5010
020 7501 5000
|
courses@lambethcollege.ac.uk
| |
|
Sixth Form
|
Lewisham
|
Christ the
King – Lewisham
(parents to
attend open day)
|
020 8297 9433
|
enquiries@ctksfc.ac.uk
|
|
|
Type
|
Local
Authority Name
|
Name
|
Contact Number
|
Email
|
Website
address
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Lewisham
|
Haberdashers’
Aske’ s Federation
Hatcham
College New Cross
|
020 7652 9500
|
hreception@haaf.org.uk
| |
|
Further
Education College
|
Lewisham
|
Lewisham
Southwark College
|
0800 834 545
|
info@lesoco.ac.uk
|
www.lesoco.ac.uk
|
|
Specialist
College
|
Lewisham
|
London Leisure
College
|
|
co.uk
|
co.uk
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Lewisham
|
Prendergast
School
|
020 8690 3710
|
admin@prendergast-school.com
|
com
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Lewisham
|
St Dunstan’s
College
(Independent)
|
020 8516 7200
|
info@sdmail.org.uk
|
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Merton
|
Wimbledon
College
|
020 8946 2533
|
mail@wimbledoncollege.org.uk
|
org.uk
|
|
Further
Education College
|
Richmond
|
Richmond-upon-Thames
College
|
020 8607 8305
|
courses@rutc.ac.uk
|
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Southwark
|
Alleyn’s
School
(Independent)
|
020 8557 1500
|
Go to website
to send a message
| |
|
Type
|
Local
Authority Name
|
Name
|
Contact Number
|
Email
|
Website
address
|
|
Specialist
College
|
Southwark
|
Bacon’s
College
|
020 7237 1928
|
sixth@baconscollege.co.uk
|
|
|
Further
Education College
|
Southwark
|
Lewisham
Southwark College
|
0800 834 545
|
info@lesoco.ac.uk
|
www.lesoco.ac.uk
|
|
Further
Education
College
|
Sutton
|
Carshalton
College
|
020 8544 4444
|
cs@carshalton.ac.uk
|
www.carshalton.ac.uk
|
|
Sixth Form
|
Sutton
|
Greenshaw High
School
|
020 8715 1001
|
ghsinfo@suttonlea.org
| |
|
Sixth Form
|
Sutton
|
Glenthorne
High School
|
020 8644 6307
|
enthorne@suttonlea.org
|
sch.uk
|
|
Sixth form
|
Sutton
|
The John
Fisher School
|
020 8660 4555
|
johnfisheschool@suttonlea.org
| |
|
Sixth form
|
Wandsworth
|
Graveney
School
Students must
be accompanied by an adult
|
02086827000
|
info@graveney.wandsworth.sch.uk
|
www.graveney.org
|
|
Further
Education College
|
Wandsworth
|
South
Thames College
|
020 8918
7777 Merton –Wand
& Merton -
|
info@south-thames.ac.uk
| |
|
Specialist
College
|
Wandsworth
|
St Francis
Xavier Sixth Form College
Parents/guardian
must attend open evening
|
020 8772 6072
|
enquiries@sfx.ac.uk
| |
|
Further
Education College
|
Westminster
|
City of
Westminster
|
020 7723 8826
|
customer.services@cwc.ac.uk
| |
|
Specialist
College
|
Westminster
|
The College of
Beauty Therapy
|
020 7208 1300
|
Go to website
to send a message
| |
|
Type
|
Local
Authority Name
|
Name
|
Contact Number
|
Email
|
Website
address
|
|
Specialist
College
|
Westminster
|
The Fashion
Retail Academy
|
020 7307 2345
|
e-mail
-info@fashionretailacademy
.ac.uk
|
ac.uk
|
|
Sixth form
|
Westminster
|
The Grey Coat
Hospital
|
020 7969 1950
|
info@gch.org.uk
| |
|
Specialist
College
|
Westminster
|
Westminster
Kingsway College
|
0870 060 9800
|
courseinfo@westking.ac.uk
|
Where
should I look? Ucasprogress, prospectuses on the school/colleges websites and
go to Open Days
What
should I look for? Copy and paste this
into a word document which you can keep and refer to.
Name of the
Institution________________________________________
1.
The
Course – What will I be studying?
2.
What
grades will I need to get into the subjects I wish to study?
3.
What
grades did the school/college achieve last year in the subjects I am choosing?
5.
What
is the atmosphere like at this institution?
6.
Other
things that are important to me? (for example I wish to go to a Church sixth
form or a College, their sport is important to me).
7.
Where
did students go after this course?
8.
Thinking
about the above questions - what is my overall impression?
Useful Web Sites
and General Conclusion
If you
are planning eventually to go to university and you know what you would like to
study, look at the UCAS website www.ucas.com and make sure the qualifications you are
choosing at A level/IB/BTEC National are the ones required for that degree, for
example which qualifications are required for Medicine?
Check
the school Careers Website (on the main school website) also look at Fast
Tomato and Kudos (log in from Mr Power Head of Careers) for careers you are
interested in and to make sure the qualifications you are planning to take are
relevant.
you
will find a questionnaire which if you fill it in should give you career ideas.
( See Mr Power for log in details)
Make
sure you go to open days for Sixth Forms/Colleges that you are interested in.
Make
sure you apply before the closing date and later attend any enrolment days to
secure you place.
Apprenticeships
This
booklet is focusing on School/College Applications. For those who want an
apprenticeship see below, but it is advisable to also apply for a
school/college place as a backup plan.
If you
are interested in applying for an apprenticeship you should register with this
website for opportunities and information https://www.getingofar.gov.uk/ Also tell your Careers Adviser or Mr
Power s/he will let you know of any opportunities probably after Christmas.
There
is also a list of possible apprenticeship opportunities on Fronter.
