Year 11 Pathways
The Careers team at Northgate is here to support you as you prepare to start a new chapter in your education at the end of Year 11.
It is important that you carefully consider all the options that you have available to you, both in terms of the applications that you make and in the summer when you receive your GCSE results. For some of you, the decision on where to study and continue your learning in September may be harder than expected, but it is important that you fully consider all options to make the right decision for your future. Although unconditional offers for courses and places of study are tempting, it is important that you take your time to decide on your next steps, making that final decision once you have received your GCSE results in August.
The Department for Education has developed a short animation film which summarises the options available to young people after GCSEs. This film can be watched here:
A reminder of the support that is available from Northgate High School and Suffolk County Council can be found in this ‘Time to Plan’ leaflet below:
The Careers team at Northgate are available in school when you collect your GCSE results in August, should you need any further support on the day. In the meantime, should you have any queries or concerns regarding your September pathway, please contact Mrs Calder here: careers@northgate.suffolk.sch.uk.
Year 11 Post-16 Pathways
Sixth Form
Northgate Sixth Form
Northgate Sixth Form is a vibrant learning community, where every student is valued as an individual. Over 260 students from more than 20 schools choose Northgate Sixth Form each year. For more information, including subject guides and how to apply, visit www.northgatesixthform.co.uk. If you have any questions, please contact the Sixth Form team at northgatesixthform@northgate.suffolk.sch.uk.
Local Sixth Form Centres
There are a number of sixth form centres in and around Ipswich which you can make contact with directly to find out about the post-16 courses that they offer.
FE College
FE College
Applying for Further Education
Colleges open their applications in October and often take applications through to enrolment. The colleges run frequent taster events and virtual tours are available on college websites, where you can also complete an online application form.
Most of the colleges now have virtual walk-through of their buildings. Click on the links to take a virtual tour of:
Suffolk New College
At Suffolk New College, you can apply for any of the courses that the college offers through their website. If you find the course that you are interested in studying, you will be able to apply for that course through the ‘Apply’ button on the course page. This will take you through to the college’s online application portal. On this page you will need to create an account and then fill in the application form.
If you have any questions, or need support with this, then the Suffolk New College applications team can be contacted at applications@suffolk.ac.uk and they will be happy to help. Once you have made your application, you will be able to track the progress of your application through this portal.
If you want to talk to someone at Suffolk New College about the courses they run, you can contact the college through the contact form on their website and Suffolk New College will make arrangements for the appropriate person to call you back.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity to young people who are keen to continue their learning in the workplace. Advice to young people wishing to progress into an apprenticeship would be to consider the industry that they wish to work within and the current viability of that industry.
The local further education colleges will have an understanding of the recruitment requirements of the employers they work with and will also be able to advise on what apprenticeship courses will be on offer, should you find your own employment for an apprenticeship.
It is important that you are aware that if you take up an offer at college for a full-time course, you can switch to an apprenticeship at a later stage should you secure an apprenticeship in your chosen vocational area. Having college as a back-up plan for an apprenticeship is always good practice.
Amazing Apprenticeships
The Amazing Apprenticeships website allows you to access a range of resources about the different apprenticeship opportunities. Visit their website below along with access to live broadcasts (and recording of these broadcasts)
Apprenticeships.gov.uk
The national Apprenticeships website provides general advice and information about apprenticeships. It also advertises current vacancies at:
Employment Opportunities in New Anglia
This is a great new website that is updated fortnightly with information about vacancies in New Anglia. The website is organised by sectors and has current jobs at all levels, also providing a great source of Labour Market Information.
Apprenticeships New Anglia
Apprenticeships New Anglia are now up and running, supporting young people to get the best chance of securing an Apprenticeship. Visit their website for more information.
Apprenticeships Suffolk
Apprenticeships Suffolk are working with small and medium employers to encourage them to offer more vacancies. Apprenticeships Suffolk are happy to answer any questions and provide any support or advice required.
Fledglink
Fledglink is a free app for students ages 13+ which allows students to complete a digital CV and matches them with jobs, apprenticeships and other opportunities. For more information visit:
TCHC
TCHC offer a number of programmes that can help young people to gain an Apprenticeship or those who need more support to continue in learning or training. For more information, contact Martin Palmer at:
JTL – Electrician and Plumbing & Heating Engineer Apprenticeships
JTL offer a range of apprenticeship programmes for anyone interested in a career in the building services engineering sector. They are still accepting applications and the JTL Apprenticeships offer the chance to learn a trade and earn a wage at the same time. For more information, visit their website below or call 0800 085 2308.
Coronavirus Tutoring Initiative
This project was set up by several Oxbridge students with the aim of connecting university students from across the UK with young people who need free tutoring in any pre-GCSE, GCSE, or A-Level subject. To find out more information about this project and to sign up to receive support from a tutor, visit:
Northgate High School is not responsible for the content of external links.
Year 11 Post-16 Pathways Information Event
Our Year 11 Pathways Information Event covers the support offered to students in Year 11 and the options available to them for the next stage of their education or training.
Keynote Presentations
It was great to see so many parents and carers at the evening, and we really enjoyed putting on the event. Thank you for all the positive feedback and to our Sixth Form Ambassadors who helped out in the evening.
All the information that was delivered on the main stage by Mrs Calder, Mr Grainger and Mr Banham is contained in the PDF below. This PDF also has links embedded that will take you to more information on specific pathways.
Revision Advice
The videos below were made for our Virtual event in 2020, but they still contain a lot of useful information about the different pathways available and effective study habits.
How to Learn Effectively
- Top study tips for Year 11
Post-16 Education Choices Pathways & Qualifications
Post-16 Qualifications
An Introduction to
A Level Qualifications
An Introduction to
Work Related Qualifications
An Introduction
to
T Levels
An introduction to Study Programmes
An introduction to Apprenticeships
Questions or queries?
Please email careers@northgate.suffolk.sch.uk and your email will be forwarded to the appropriate organisation who will be happy to help with your query.
Northgate High School is not responsible for the content of external links.