Post 16 activities

Once you finish school, after you are 16, you'll have different options available to you. You can:

  • stay in full-time education, for example at a college
  • start an apprenticeship or traineeship
  • spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training

You need to do one of the above until you're 18.

Your guide to Post 16 education, employment and training:

You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. There are lots of things you do before and after you leave to help you work out what to do next:

  • Research career ideas and entry requirements on the National Careers Service website. Look at the skills health check.
  • You can apply for more than one setting, course or training/apprenticeship.
  • Attend skills fairs, open days and visit websites for colleges, 6th forms and training providers.
  • Aim to apply by the January before you are due to go into year 12.
  • Once you have applied to a college or other setting, there is usually some flexibility, if you want to change the course you have applied for. Just contact the setting as soon as possible.
  • If you don’t meet the entry requirements when you get your results, speak to the college as they may be able to help you find the appropriate level course.
  • If you are still at school, you should have access to careers advice and guidance.
  • If you are not living in Nottinghamshire, you can access your area’s local offer through the local authority's website.

If you are considering university, look at their open days and events online which often start from years 9 and 10. Funding support available can be found on the local offer.

A Levels

  • Can be accessed at school 6th forms and colleges
  • Research the different courses available at 6th forms and colleges, and consider your post-18 options, and how your courses will support them. The National Careers Service website will help to identify different routes to your chosen career e.g. nursing, teaching, engineering.

Colleges

Smaller college settings and training providers (including those supporting apprenticeships) 

The list below is not exhaustive, and links are correct as of October 2020. Funding changes regularly.

 

16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Bursaries are available for young people who are looked after or care leavers. You can apply through your college, school, or training setting. Please be aware colleges can link bursary payments to attendance and engagement with the setting, and decide payment intervals. This bursary totals approximately £1,200 a year and is to fund transport, equipment, meal vouchers. Find out more: 16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Equipment funding: The Prince's Trust

If you are enrolling on a course which requires subject specific equipment e.g. hairdressing/construction trades, you can apply for equipment funding through the Prince's Trust prior to starting. Speak to your social worker well in advance of starting your course if you are concerned about the equipment requirements of the course.

Part-time jobs are a good way to gain experience and can support applications for your future plans in the world of work or further education, as well as providing you with an income.

You will need to comply with legislation governing employment for 13-16 year olds if you are looking for a part-time job while you are still at school.

Getting a National Insurance Number

If you are looking for a part-time job beyond the age of 16, you will need to ensure you have a National Insurance number.

  • Some colleges and training providers have their own buses and transport links. Visit their websites, or ask at your interview.
  • Applications for bus passes: speak to your college/setting or social worker for support with this.
  • Subsidised transport for 16-19 year olds in education
  • If you have an apprenticeship or job offer, you can apply for an electric bike, bike or moped hire before starting: Wheels to work

If you are looking to volunteer, or gain some work-place experience, the websites below could help:

Going to university is an exciting prospect. University can give you:

  • the opportunity to explore different places and parts of the country
  • make new friends and meet new people
  • learn more about a subject that interests you
  • prepare you for a career of your choice
  • live more independently

and much more. There are lots of things to think about when considering going to university so here are a few tips about where to look first and what help is out there for you.

Year 10 onwards

You might want to start exploring the idea of going to university from key stage 4. Lots of universities offer tours, visits, advice and videos for students who are pre-16 and post-16. Many will also offer a bespoke visit or introduction for you and will have a key person at the university that you can contact, ask your social worker, school, Virtual School or achievement adviser, about this.

Support available from searching, to applying, to going to university

There are lots of people and resources who can help you to make the right decision and help you when applying. Each university will have slightly different support they can offer so it is important that you ask about what is available. The support available to you applies to universities local to you and universities further away. The links below should give you more information about financial support, accommodation for 365 days a year and much more.

Useful information from universities

Most universities now have virtual tours and video clips on their websites which include information about accommodation, how to apply, university life, specific course details etc. Here are links for two local universities:

University Events and Visits

NCC Employability briefings - autumn 

Don’t forget to send the details of the young people and support workers wishing to attend the briefings to: achievement@nottscc.gov.uk or via our online employability briefing booking form.

As a careers advice and guidance window, they are proving to be an invaluable resource.

Employability briefings are for all of our young people, whether at college or in training, in a higher education setting or not currently engaged in employment, training or education.

Businesses are opening their doors to introduce employment opportunities for care experienced young people.

More to follow

We have been overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity, encouragement and inspiration from local, regional and national businesses.

These employability briefings are designed to provide looked after children and care leavers (aged 16-25) with an insight into the world of employment - a starting point for further career aspiration and development.

The world of business really is making a difference.

 National government information

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