What Next?

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What Next? KS4 Options

During Year 9 students make some important decisions. You will undertake a round of choosing your subject preferences for Key Stage 4 courses (for Years 10 and 11). The options comprise around 40% of the curriculum, so making the right decisions is important. Parents will be actively involved in this process through a "Parents' Seminar" (discussing the decision-making process) usually held in February, followed by a "Parents' Consultation Evening" (to meet subject staff). Parents will receive a personal invitation to each of these events nearer the time. Full written reports will be produced during this time period to help inform you and your parents when making decisions.

KS 4 curriculum notes:

All KS4 students have a common curriculum:
. English Language and Literature
. Mathematics
. Science
. PE
. ICT + RE + Work related learning
. PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education)
. Tutor time plus assembly

In addition, students have the opportunity to study one course with a greater 'vocational' element. All of these subjects appear in the left hand 'vocational' option block.

A group of students can study three separate Sciences (Chemistry, Physics and Biology). This group is selected through student's option choice and decisions are linked to ability.

Some students will have the opportunity to study a course, for one day a week, at Shrewsbury College or another post-16 provider. The three options currently offered are in the right-hand column. Students will be selected for this option.

A CVS group is selected by negotiation with students, the school and parents. Students (and parents) interested in this option will receive advance information about the course.

What Next? Post-16 Options

After you've finished your GCSEs you may want to head off into the world to earn a living, you may want to delve further into the subjects you enjoy or perhaps you want to both earn and learn.

There are many options for you.

Sixth Form
When choosing which AS Levels to do make sure you that your choice is based on those subjects that you enjoy what you are good at and what subjects you may need for your chosen career or university course. Talk your options through thoroughly with a member of staff. Also, make sure you attend the open evening, even if you've attended the school it is good to attend this evening and get a flavour for what subjects are like. You can also pick student's brains on what the subjects are like.

Specialist Study
If the Sixth Form does not offer the subjects you want to specialise in, then there are a number of colleges in the surrounding area that might have what you need. Attend each of the colleges open evenings and if you know people studying there then ask them what it's like.

Repeats
If you fluffed up one or two of your exams, fear not. You can repeat them. When you do this, do not be too hard on yourself. You may have not got the grade you wanted last time, but this time you are in a good position to do well. Make sure you keep learning and revising the subject so you don't forget what you've been taught already and look at your weaknesses. You can retake English and maths in November, which might be helpful.

Getting a Job
If you want to leave and get a job rather than staying in full-time education then it is beneficial to look for a job where you can work your way up - where the company or business offers training or an apprenticeship. You have just under another 50 years of working so at a relatively young age you may want to get as much training and suitable qualifications as you can. You will have to work hard and it may need an adjustment after leaving school, but if it is what you want to do then you will adapt quite quickly to the demands. You may also find that a few years later you want to return to full-time education, which some people do and often find studying more productive after having a few years out and knowing more clearly what goals they have.

Connexions Has a range of good information and advice on their website. They also have advisors in school so be sure to make an appointment.
http://www.connexions-direct.com/index.cfm?pid=7

http://www.courses-careers.com

http://www.xcel.uk.net

Vocational advice
http://www.lsc.gov.uk/
http://www.youthinformation.com/

University
You've been sat on school buses, with books open wide on desks and with books shut in school bags since you were five. Your right-hand's been hovering over the@ key looking at websites about the University you will one day call home, how to pronounce 'pleuvoir' or why a small island volcano, dormant for 300 years should erupt. Well now it is time to stand, looking into a volcano that you drew in year 10 after underlining the word 'Montserrat'. Now it is time to take the French you've learned out of the four walls of room 9, to either Toulouse or Quebec. Soon you might be lugging your bursting suitcase into halls and timidly saying "hi" to your new flatmates in the kitchen.

Many students go on to and are successful at University. You will generally be clear about what subjects you enjoy and possibly have a future career in mind. Students sometimes regret the choice of degree they are taking so it's worth getting as much information as you can - especially from current or recent students.

University
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/dontstop/home/

Applying
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/

Advice once there and before
http://www.studentastic.co.uk/

Gap Year
You would be hard pushed to find someone who isn't glad that they took a gap year. Having a gap year before your start your career or studies will benefit you in many ways: it can help you save money, gain relevant skills and experiences for your career or degree, develop your languages, build confidence and also it can help others and many people choose to do charity work before beginning their jobs or studies.

What can you do?
http://www.gap-year.com/browse2.asp?catID=1155"

Internships/Working
http://www.globalchoices.co.uk/gapyearjobs.php

Voluntary work abroad
http://www.findagap.com
http://www.gapyear.com
http://www.gap-year.com
http://www.gap.org.uk

Eco Travel
http://www.ecotravel.org.uk

Eco Tourism
http://www.ecotour.org

Responsible Travel
http://www.responsibletravel.com/TripSearch/Gap%20year/ActivityCategory100012.htm

Culture shock
http://www.gapadvice.org/Young-People/Culture-shock

Homesickness
http://www.gapyear.com/travel/dealing_with_homesickness.html

Gap Year advice for parents
http://www.gapyear.com/clearing/advice_for_parents.html
http://www.realgap.co.uk/Advice-for-parents-2
http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/index.php?id=803