You can download our Post 16 Option Guide by clicking here.
All young people in England must continue in education or training until 18 years of age
Young people have the following choices at the end of year 11:
This does not necessarily mean staying in school; young people have a choice about how they continue in education or training, which could be through:
• Full-time study in a school, college or with a training provider.
• Full-time work or volunteering combined with part-time education or training.
• An apprenticeship.
Throughout the year, we also invite representatives from local universities, colleges, apprenticeship and training providers to meet our students. Year 10 students also visit local colleges in their summer term. Our annual Careers Fair in November also enables all students from y7-y11 to meet representatives from these sectors.
National Careers Service: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
National Apprenticeship Service: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
T Levels
T Levels are a brand new, 2-year qualification that will give you a head start towards the future you want.
The Government has developed T Levels to deliver world class technical education and give you a new choice after GCSEs.
T Levels have been designed in partnership with businesses and employers to give students the knowledge and skills they need – so you can be confident that a T Level will help you move into the career you want.
For more information, visit this page.
Post 16 and universities
The Sixth Form at Southmoor
The Sixth Form at Southmoor opened for business in September 2014. Their aim is simple; to provide a new and exciting choice for all post-16 students in the area, regardless of the school they currently attend. The Sixth Form offers something unique and different. The goal is to give young people the personal care, rigour, focus and aspiration, which many traditionally associate with a School whilst also allowing the freedom to develop as responsible young adults, which many see as the advantage to the College experience. You can find out more about our Trust Sixth Form on their website here:
Other Sixth Form Providers in our Area
- www.st-anthonys-academy.com
- www.staidanscatholicacademy.co.uk
- www.christscollege.org.uk
- www.strobertofnewminster.co.uk/sixth-form
- www.durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk
Local colleges
Gateshead College www.gateshead.ac.uk
Newcastle College www.ncl-coll.ac.uk
East Durham College www.eastdurham.ac.uk
South Tyneside College www.stc.ac.uk
Sunderland College sunderlandcollege.ac.uk
Local universities
Sunderland University www.sunderland.ac.uk
Newcastle University www.ncl.ac.uk
Northumbria University www.northumbria.ac.uk
Durham University www.dur.ac.uk
Teeside University www.tees.ac.uk
Training Providers
There are a range of local training providers who offer alternative post-16 pathways and courses, often specialising in a particular industry. Here is an up-to-date directory of the training providers in the local area, their contact details and the types of course that they specialise in.
