Options after Year 11?

Before choosing you need to think about a few things

How do you learn? What kind of person are you? What are you good at ... interested in? What exam results are you likely to get?

Use the information below to start you thinking, including:

Quick guide to your options after year 11 - in Calderdale and Kirklees for 2021 entry
School and college open events and application closing dates 2020/21 and other events
Talk to the people that know you, as well as your C&K careers school or college adviser

See 'More to Explore' on the right and career idea tools websites

Your options are:

Full-time learning in a school sixth form, sixth form college, FE (further education) college, with a training provider or UTC (university technical college) – also look at information on qualifications and check out our revision tips and study skills under More to Explore on the right.
Employment such as an apprenticeship, job with training or a traineeship. Ready to apply? Then check out our
Part-time education or training whilst running your own business, working for at least 20 hours or volunteering.

Raising the Participation Age means you must stay in training or learning until you are 18.
IMPORTANT: the school leaving date is the last Friday in June of Year 11. You can start an apprenticeship or training or job with training AFTER this date, even if you are 15 – as long as you are 16 by 31 August of this same year. You can't start full-time work with training BEFORE the last Friday in June even if you are 16.

The fact that I'm 15 and am being asked to make huge choices that dictate the rest of my life. I can't drive, drink etc but I'm expected to decide the course of my existence - the decisions I make now will affect what outcomes I will experience in the future. Year 11 student, commenting on the importance of careers guidance.

The Government is encouraging more young people to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects - they offer the skills needed for a range of jobs but remember it's important to make sure you choose a course or subjects that you like and are good at. Also check out STEM Learning and our useful websites page to see the sort of careers open to you when you study science and maths.

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Get Organised 2021 front cover Get Organised 2021 - a guide to your post-16 options

Get Ahead 2021 front cover Get Ahead 2021 - post 16 options at entry level and level 1

Video

Options after Year 11

Check out our video on your choices after Year 11 or read it (49kb PDF). Not got much time? See our shorter video guide

Also see our interview with Adam on choosing your options via our YouTube Channel or read it (141kb PDF).

Timing is important

Not sure when to start? Our Year 10 calendar will help you start planning and our Year 11 calendar will help make sure you don't miss out (61-75kb PDF).