School Sixth forms offer a variety of AS & A-level and BTEC qualifications and they are attached to a secondary school, which is why they are often referred to as school sixth forms. Sixth form is often the most natural choice for academically minded students wishing to go through to university. 

Many aspects will be the same as secondary school. You may have to wear a uniform or adhere to their clothing policy. 

Depending on the school policy, you will still call the teaching staff 'sir' or 'miss'.  They are meant for young people aged 16 to 18.

The school will offer a range of Level 3 qualifications, which can help with getting into university, apprenticeships or employment.

Why not look at the local college offered in your local area in the useful links section here

Sixth Form Colleges offer the same type of qualifications as a school sixth form, A and AS-level and BTEC courses however, sixth form colleges offer a wider variety of subjects to students.

Being larger campuses, sixth form colleges have a much larger and more diverse population of students. This can provide students with a greater sense of independence and can also offer opportunities for socialising and making new friends.

Sixth form colleges tend to sit somewhere in the middle between traditional school sixth form and further education vocational colleges.

Most students have a timetable that includes lessons 4–5 days a week, with plenty of private study time included throughout the week.  

Students wear their own clothes and would normally refer to staff by their first name.

Most colleges offer A-levels, similar to school sixth forms, but they also offer other qualifications and subjects at a variety of levels, from entry level to higher level qualifications,  including vocational courses.  Vocational qualifications offer practical learning programmes that relate to specific job roles or job sectors.

There are many different types of vocational qualifications in a wide range of subjects at all levels. Vocational courses are designed to help students learn in a practical about a specific job area, helping them to get the skills needed to start a job, progress in a career or go on to higher education.

The choice of vocational courses, T-Levels or even apprenticeships at college could open the door to more options in the future, because you will have the opportunity to make connections with the companies which the college is in partnership with.  Colleges often have more extensive resources than school sixth forms, including state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. This can be particularly relevant for students studying technical or scientific subjects who may need access to specialised equipment and resources to complete their coursework.

The environment at a college is generally more ‘adult’, and students are expected to take more responsibility for themselves.   

Most students have a timetable that includes lessons 3–4 days a week.

Students wear their own clothes and would normally refer to staff by their first name.

In summary, some of the main areas of differences between college and sixth form to consider are:

• Curriculum – as mentioned above, colleges tend to offer a wider range of options whereas the sixth form focuses on a more structured academic route.
• Structure – sixth form will be part of a secondary school building with a lot of the students staying on after doing their GCSEs. Colleges tend to be stand-alone campuses which welcome students from various secondary schools in the local area.
• Age range – sixth form caterers for 16-19 year olds, whereas college is open to students both below and above the age of 18.
• Focus – sixth form prepares students for university/higher education, colleges have a broader focus and cater to both academic and vocational pathways.
• Environment - Colleges tend to be slightly more relaxed when comparing them with school sixth forms, and students usually address their teachers on a first-name basis.

Which is best for me?

The choice depends on your interests, career aspirations, preferred learning environment, and personal circumstances. 

1. Research - all the local college websites, consider what you want to study, does the college offer the course and qualification you want to study, how far is it from home?, does the college offer the support you need.  You probably have so many questions. Remember, if you can't find what you are looking for, ask Mrs Shallcross.
2. Attend - going to as many open days as possible to help find the best option for you.  Open events can be busy, though all the staff are there, showing their courses and offering advice.  We have prepared a list of questions you may consider asking at the events.  Or if you think the open event will be too busy for you, speak to Mrs Shallcross and she will arrange a time for you to go when it is quiet.  
3. Eligibility criteria - most courses have a minimum grade that you have achieved or what you are likely to achieve, to be accepted on the course. Consider what your predicted grades are or what qualifications you have.   Do not panic if you don't have the right subjects, the college may offer you a course that you can do to step towards the chosen course.
4. Talk - when you have decided what you want to do, speak to family and friends.  Ask family and friends to share their college experiences. Invite them to go with you to an open event or a visit. Show them the college prospectus (course catalogue!).  Speak with your teachers, support staff and Career Connect. 
5. Apply - Most college applications are online and are fairly easy to complete.  The colleges are looking to know why you want to do that course and if you have the qualifications to study that course (eligibility criteria).  They may want to know if you have any support needs and have an Education Health Care Plan.  Mrs Shallcross can help you with your applications, ask your staff to arrange an appointment or email her on hshallcross@wkrs.co.uk.

You will typically follow these steps:

• Make an application - Once you've found your ideal course you can apply to the relevant institution by submitting an online application, which typically includes a personal statement. The college will then confirm it has received your application within a few days.
• Formal Consultation - This stage is between the COLLEGE and the LOCAL AUTHORITY.  The college reads your Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), along with supporting reports from WKS and then the college decides whether they can meet your needs.  When they make their decision, they let the local authority and WKS know.
• Attend an interview - The college may then invite you to interview so you can meet your prospective tutors and discuss your career plans. This chat can help you to decide whether this really is the course for you and whether you would enjoy the programme. You may even have changed your mind and so the college can work with you to find a more suitable course.
• Take some skill tests - You may be asked to take a number of short online tests to gauge your current abilities in core subjects such as English, maths and possibly information and communications technology (ICT). These are nothing to worry about and you'll be provided with full instructions on what to do.
• Receive an offer - If your application is successful, the college can meet your needs and they believe it's the right course for you, you'll receive a conditional offer along with further information on how to enrol. All you'd need to do is meet the grade requirements for the course.  By accepting the offer you'll be provided with an enrolment date to register at the college in person.
• REMEMBER - even if you have you've done your research, sometimes the college you want cannot meet your needs (from your EHCP) so you have a back-up option.  It is always better to have a choice than not have any choice.

If you want to know more about the colleges in your local area, click here:

There are job opportunities in many careers in the UK, but there are more openings in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).  The areas listed below are very important to the Liverpool City Region:

Advanced Manufacturing sector and sub-sectors includes diverse areas such as: Automotive Manufacture; Aerospace; Pharmaceutical; Chemical; Food and Drink; Engineering and Machining. 

Construction and the Built Environment is vital to delivering the infrastructure and buildings. Sustainable development and the emergence of new technologies and construction techniques will see different roles emerging and the need for current roles to adapt and change accordingly. 

Digital and creative sector is one of the driving forces for change and evolution of businesses and our society. For businesses to flourish and succeed – developing new products, services and new markets, they will need to attract and retain talented individuals. There is therefore a wealth of opportunities to access it across a wide range of digital disciplines.

Professional and Business Services (PBS) sector consists of financial, real estate, legal and insurance activities.  In addition, business support functions that include employment agencies, administration, security and rental form a key part of the sector. 

Maritime and Logistics sector is a key employment and wealth generating sector for the Liverpool City Region. As with many sectors, automation and technological change will have an impact on the Maritime and Logistics sector and the different job roles within it, and the sector is increasingly becoming more complex with a shift to higher value job roles. The adoption and use of technology in warehousing and logistics continues to increase – especially in areas such as stock control and retrieval.

Health and Life Sciences sector, sometimes called bioscience, covers all those roles which are linked to healthcare but don’t involve delivering it directly – research positions, laboratory staff, development specialists, innovators, and similar.

Visitor Economy is a major driver of economic growth and prosperity in the Liverpool City Region The visitor economy comprises a whole eco-system made up of museums, theatres, venues, restaurants, hotels, bars, shops and transport operators.

Innovation is taking place across the City Region within all sectors and industries but particularly in the areas of Advanced Manufacturing and Big Science; Low Carbon and Renewable Energy; Digital and Creative; Maritime and Logistics and Health and Life Sciences.

For more information about the above growth areas, please look on the BE More website, click here.

The areas listed below that are very important to North Wales are:

Advanced Manufacturing - The region has advanced manufacturing companies that use new technologies in aerospace, automotive, food manufacturing and research.

Health and Social Care - Health and Social Care is one of the largest employers in the region. Demand for care workers and nursing staff is high.

Tourism and Hospitality - There is a high demand for people to work in Hospitality, Retail and Tourism in North Wales.

Construction - Jobs in construction will include building greener housing, schools and hospitals, and road projects.

Digital and Creative - North Wales has creative hubs in film, TV, media and digital technologies. Demand for workers is high.

Energy and Environment - North Wales has expertise in energy generation, including offshore wind, hydrogen and nuclear technologies.

Financial and Professional - There is demand for financial and professional roles to support businesses in other industries. Jobs like accountants, managers, and business executives.

Food and Farming - Food manufacturing and Agriculture are strong areas for growth in the region.  Jobs in demand include food production operators, farmworkers and HGV drivers. 

Public Sector - These are the jobs that support everyday life in the region. Jobs like Police Officer, Firefighter, and local government workers.

For more information about the above growth areas, please look on the Career Wales website, click here.

T Levels were designed by colleges with leading businesses and they are now supported by employers of all sizes to give students the workplace skills they need to succeed.  Employers have worked with colleges to devise courses that will provide the employer with a work force that will help them be successful and the young person will have qualifications and the experience that employers are looking for. 

Hundreds of employers – including Lloyds Banking Group, Nestlé, Yorkshire Water, Persimmon Homes and NHS Trusts across England – have hosted T Level students on industry placements.

Plus, many employers retain T Level students on completion of their course and support progression within their business onto an apprenticeship or into another role.

The list of course studies grows each year. There are over 20 now! Here are some of the industry sectors you can 

• Agriculture,
• Animal Care
• Business and Administration
• Catering and Hospitality
• Construction 
• Creative and Design
• Digital
• Education and Early Years
• Engineering and Manufacturing
• Environmental
• Health and Science
• Legal, Finance and Accounting
• Sales, Marketing and Procurement

Normally, you’ll need 5 GCSEs at grades 4–9, including Maths and English. You can work towards getting maths and English on your T Level if you’ve not already got grade 4 at GCSE. 

Don't panic! if you don't have the qualifications to secure a T-Level placement at college, most colleges are offering Level 2 T-Levels to help you secure a place in the future.

• University, Further Education and Apprenticeships - After studying T Levels, many students may want to further their studies at university. A Distinction* (the top grade you can achieve) is worth 168 UCAS points, the equivalent of AAA* at A Level.
• Getting a job after T Levels - If you don’t want to go to university or take on further study, T Levels can set you up perfectly for a job in your chosen field or industry.

There is so much information on the internet, we have links to websites that can provide you with more information. Click here

First, set aside some time each week to job search or fill in applications. It may take sometime (maybe up to six months) before you receive an offer of an interview.  Don't let that put you off!  Get organised and start applying! First you need to have the tools to apply. These are:

• A CV 
• Covering letter
• Information for application forms
• A referee - a teacher who will say how great you are

On a weekly, if not daily basis, you will need to:

• actively look on the many job vacancy websites
• contacting an employers directly 
• ask family and friends if they know of any jobs

Make sure you note down closing dates for vacancies and keep track of what you’ve applied for and when. 

There are some different places to look when it comes to job hunting.

Online - There are plenty of websites promoting hundreds of new jobs that appear online every day.  Look for job sites which are specific to the type of industry you'd like to work in. Check the sites of employers you're interested in working for and have a look at their social media accounts.  Plenty of sites offer an email alert function too, which lets you know when new jobs are added under the category you’re interested in.

Using LinkedIn - LinkedIn is a great social site to connect with employers and relevant people within the industry you're interested in. You can also set up job alerts for opportunities being advertised on your LinkedIn feed as well. 

Recruitment agencies - Find jobs you might not see otherwise with the support of a recruitment agency. Specialist agencies can also help you seek out jobs in the industry you want.  They know exactly what employers are looking for – it's their job! 

Word of Mouth - There are many jobs that will never be advertised.   Before they even post a vacancy, employers may look at who they can promote internally or ask colleagues who might fit in the job well. To uncover these hidden jobs, you need to make the first move. 

Approaching a company first - If there’s a company you really want to work for, try approaching them. Research the employer and find someone you can contact directly.   Send a cover letter and CV highlighting your strengths and explaining why you want to work for them.  Do not just leave it at that. Follow it up with a phone call. Be polite, but determined. If there’s nothing coming up, at least you’ve made a new contact and they may keep you in mind in the future.

If you need support to write a CV, covering letter or an application, please speak to Mrs Shallcross and she will arrange a time during the school day to help you with this. There is so much information on the internet, we have links to websites that can provide you with more information. Click here.