Some teenagers know exactly what they want to do after leaving school but for many students (and their parents) it is a confusing time. Understanding the different options available can be a minefield, which is why we have broken it down step by step.
As a qualified teacher, I have supported many students through this transitional stage and talked to parents about what options and different courses were available at this exciting time. In this article, we share what options are available for a young person who is preparing to leave school.
The school years actually go so fast, one minute we are looking at primary schools, then before we know it they are starting secondary school, choosing options and revising for GCSE’s – but then what? Many of us can’t even imagine our babies finishing school let alone starting careers, but we need to educate ourselves on the next steps so that we can continue to guide our young adults.
Leaving school or college can be a daunting experience for anyone. Some young people know exactly what they want to do. Others don’t have so much direction. However, there are many options to help you realise your true potential. Sometimes taking a step back can provide you with the determination and ambition to go for your dreams. I thought it would be a great idea to share some of the things you could do after school or college. You never know, these could lead to your dream career or working environment.
One question that gets asked time and time again is what age can you leave school? For many young people, the answer is different to their parent’s experiences when you could leave school aged 16. Now it is not as straightforward and school leavers in year 11 need to be in education or training until they are 18. This means that after year 11 teenagers will need to continue in some form of education for another two years. It is a common belief
When can you leave school?
You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
You must then do one of the following until you’re 18 years of age
- stay in full-time education, for example at a college or sixth form
- start an apprenticeship or traineeship
- spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
Here I am sharing all the options available to young people between the age of 16 and 18 years old.
Sixth Form from age 16
Many secondary schools have a sixth form and many of the students choose to stay in the environment that they know. The advantage of this is that they already know the teachers and will know many of their classmates which can help at this age. In the sixth form, students mostly study 3 A Levels although some offer vocational routes including OCR Nationals. This route is the typical route to higher education as A levels are a requirement for many degree courses. You can also transfer to another sixth form centre or school, for many this is the only option if their secondary school does not cater for students aged 16-18.
There is no cost to attend the sixth form and do A Levels.
Further Education from age 16
If you know what you want to do as a career, then the chances are that this would require some form of further education. However, attending college or university shouldn’t be left to the students who know what they want to do. Further study could help anyone decide what they want to do. Or provide valuable time while you figure it out. If you didn’t get your Maths or English GCSE’s then you might need to resit those exams so that you can progress.
FE covers many vocational courses including learning hair and beauty or the trades. These courses start from age 16 but also take older students too. The courses will be free for 16-18-year-olds.
Attending college or university could provide an opportunity to learn some life skills and explore career options. This might mean living away from home for the first time. Managing money and surviving by cooking and cleaning yourself. All of these things are great lessons to learn before entering a workplace and starting your chosen career.
Apprenticeships from age 16
Apprenticeships are essentially like learning on the job and are the right choice for many young adults. You do a mixture of study and work experience to gain new skills for specific jobs. Some apprenticeships can even offer payment, although you’ll never get rich as a trainee! There are many different trades to choose from. You could consider learning a manual job like plumbing or electrics. Or learn more about business by considering what apprenticeships are available.
Apprenticeships can be a great thing to consider at the end of the school year. This allows you to gain some work experience in your chosen career. Along with studying to further develop your education surrounding it. An apprenticeship can be the perfect bridge from education to the world of work for young adults. Modern apprenticeships are a mix of practical training with some time (often day release) in a local college.
Getting work experience from age 18
Work experience is really valuable for many young people and can help them figure out career ideas or act as a stepping stone to their chosen field. I always encourage students to do some work experience either during school holidays or during a gap year.
If you are unsure about taking on any further education, you could take a break and gain some valuable work experience. Working in an office or retail can offer some excellent life lessons and experience for your future career. You can also undertake volunteer work which is a super way for learning more about different careers.
This would give you a chance to understand the working world and gain valuable experience before choosing your chosen career path. You may even start a job that you want to learn more about. For example, working in a retail shop may ignite a passion for fashion or design, meaning you go back to study that in further education.
Higher Education from age 18
If you are looking to gain a professional qualification then getting a university degree is often required. There are plenty of options available at the university and it is worth attending open days to learn more. Higher Education does have fees, it costs about £9000 a year in tuition fees and then you’ll need money for accommodation and living costs. The fees are paid back once students have graduated and the money is deducted from wages. Read this for our first hand experience on the true cost of uni.
Armed Forces from age 16
Joining the armed forces is a great option for many, they train you up in many different fields and you are paid as you learn. The forces also offer the opportunity to travel the world. You can join up from 16 with parental permission or wait until 18 without. Depending at what age you join will depend on your position but the forces are brilliant for developing individuals who are ambitious. You can even get a degree when in the forces and the good thing is that these are usually directly funded by the forces and not the individual which is a great incentive.
Travelling from age 18
Finally, another option to consider would be to take a gap year out and travel. This provides some excellent life experience. Before settling down into the working world or higher education. You may not get the opportunity to do this again. When you have commitments and a full-time job travelling the world could become a lot harder. So use the time of being free and able to do it and see some of the world. It will also provide you with time to reflect on what you want to do with your life going forward.
Let’s hope this might give you a few ideas on what to do when you leave school or college. As the law stands young people must be engaged in meaningful education or learning until age 18 but it is never too late to go back and get more qualifications at a later stage. The main thing to be aware of is that at age 16 most training programmes are free to the individual, therefore, it makes sense to get the qualifications that you can at this age.
