It is compulsory for young people to be in education or training
until the age of 18, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay in
school if it isn’t right for you.
There are plenty of different routes to go down when you turn 16,
whether that’s going to college to do A Levels or a vocational
course like a T Level, or starting to earn
while learning as an apprentice.
Here we talk you through your post-16 options, from school and
college, to apprenticeships and supported internships.
How old do you need to be to leave school?
Legally, you can leave school on the last Friday in June if
you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. However, by
September, you will need to be in official education or
training.
These are your options:
- stay in full-time education, e.g. at a college, doing A
Levels, T Levels or other academic qualifications,
- start an apprenticeship,
- work or volunteer for 20 hours or more a week while in
part-time education or training.
Why is education and training compulsory for 16 to
18-year-olds?
We believe that being in education or training allows young
people to develop the skills they need later in life, opening
doors to future employment and helping them make the most of
their potential.
This also reduces the chance of unemployment, boosts earning
potential, and allows young people to develop new skills in
different educational environments.
Whatever route you take, we’re also considering ways to make sure
everyone is getting some form of maths education that is suited
to their needs, until the age of 18. This will make sure all
young people have the skills necessary to thrive in their chosen
career. It doesn't mean that you have to take A Level maths
though. You can read more about it here.
Can I work full-time after leaving school?
You can go to work, undertake voluntary work, become an intern or
even set up your own business when you leave school.
However, you’ll still need to be doing part-time training or
study at the same time that leads to a regulated qualification,
like a Vocational Technical
Qualification (VTQ). This means that as well as gaining
valuable experience, you’ll also gain a recognised accreditation
that supports your future career.
Part-time education or training alongside full-time work must be
of at least 280 guided learning hours (GLH) per year. This means
the equivalent of about one day a week spent being taught by a
lecturer, supervisor or tutor. These hours can be taken flexibly
around working hours, as distance learning, or in blocks.
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are a great option for young people from the age
of 16 to begin their careers across a range of exciting
industries. You’ll work and get paid, while doing off-the-job
training at the same time.
There are thousands of apprenticeship vacancies on offer, with
more than 640 high-quality apprenticeships
approved for use by employers, and can help to kickstart
a career in anything from space engineering to advertising.
If you’re keen to get a degree but don’t think university is the
right choice for you, you can also do a degree apprenticeship,
which allows you to earn a full undergraduate or masters degree
while you work.
What are T Levels?
T Levels are the gold standard vocational course, and a
high-quality alternative to A levels. One T Level is worth the
same UCAS points as three A Levels.
They are two-year programmes with 80% of that time spent in the
classroom, and 20% on a minimum nine-week industry placement with
an employer.
There are
16 T Levels already available to study in a range of
exciting subject areas including digital, education, health,
science, construction finance and accounting. More courses will
be available from September 2023 including legal services and
agriculture.
What is a supported internship?
Supported internships are a work-based study programme for
young people aged 16 to 24 who have an EHC plan. The aim is for
interns to gain the skills and confidence to achieve
their long-term career
goals.
They usually last for one year and include work placements that
last at least six months. Interns are also helped by a qualified
job coach who is trained to offer personalised support. Find
out more here.
Getting advice on what to do after school
We know that working out what to do after school can seem
overwhelming. To help pupils figure out their options, all
state-funded secondary schools must provide independent careers
guidance, including appointing a Careers Leader who oversees the
careers programme. Ask your school about what careers guidance
they can offer.
The
National Careers Service also provides free and
impartial careers advice for anyone over the age of 13. If you’d
like personalised advice from a qualified adviser, including on
what to do when you leave school, there are lots of ways
to get in touch including
by phone, webchat or in person.
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