Pupil Needs, Advice, and Guidance
This section of the careers website is to offer help, support and guidance for pupils in a variety of careers aspects.
Pupils will receive help, support and guidance from their Tutor and Head of Year at school. All pupils in KS4 will receive at least 1 Careers appointment delivered by a fully qualified careers advisor.
Pupils in any Year group are welcome to email careersadvice@kentshillpark.school to arrange a meeting to discuss any aspects of careers they would like to.
Options After Year 11
You must stay in some type of education or training until you are 18. There are many options available when you finish Year 11, look at what option best suits you and your situation, strengths and interests.
You may be eligible for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund , which can help with things like books, travel or equipment if you will struggle with education or training costs.
If you have an Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan there may be different and more suitable options available to you.
Continue Your Studies
You could take a work-related course that will give you skills and work experience. Some courses keep your options open by giving you the chance to study different subjects. You may need specific qualifications for your career choice, so always do some research.
Combine Work and Study
Improve your skills, get work experience and gain the qualifications that employers need.
Continue Your Studies
A-Levels
Description: Study a subject you took at GCSE in greater depth or choose a new one like Economics, Law, or Psychology. You could take 3 broad subjects you are interested in to keep your career options open or choose ones you need for a specific career.
Duration: 2 years
Assessment: Mostly exams at the end of the course
Entry Requirements: Course dependent, typically 5 GCSEs Grade 9-4 (usually including English and Maths)
Work Experience: Usually 1 week during year 12
Leads to: University/college, higher and degree apprenticeships, work
Find out more: UCAS Information about A levels
T-Levels
Description: Designed in partnership with employers to give you the skills and knowledge to get on in the workplace. Combines classroom learning with industry placements to prepare you for skilled work or higher level study. 1 T Level is the equivalent of 3 A levels.
Duration: 2 years
Assessment: Exams, projects and practical assignments
Entry Requirements: Course dependent
Work Experience: At least 45 days on industry placement
Leads to: University/college, higher and degree apprenticeships, work
Find out more: Gov.uk information about T Levels
Technical and Vocational Qualifications
Description: Qualifications which teach you how to do tasks specifically related to the industry and role you want to be involved in.
Duration: Course dependent
Assessment: Can include coursework, skills tests and exams
Entry Requirements: Course dependent
Work Experience: Course dependent
Leads to: Apprenticeship, work, college or university
Find out more: Speak to your local provider or talk to an adviser
Applied Qualifications
Description: Qualifications that give you a broad overview of working in a specific sector, like business, media, engineering, leisure or science and technology. A mix of classroom-based learning with the chance to get some practical skills.
Duration: Course dependent
Assessment: Course dependent (coursework and exams)
Entry Requirements: Yes
Work Experience: Course dependent
Leads to: University/college, apprenticeship, work
Find out more: Gov.uk information about applied qualifications
Exam Retakes
Description: If you didn’t get the results you wanted, you can resit some of your courses or sign up for some new qualifications.
Location: School sixth form, sixth form college or further education college
Duration: 1 year
Entry Requirements: 16+
Qualifications: Level 2 and 3 qualifications like GCSE, A level and BTEC
Leads to: Higher level or degree apprenticeship, further education, higher education, work
Find out more: Speak to your school or college careers leader or careers adviser or our careers advisers
Combine Work and Study
Traineeships
Description: A course, including a work placement that will get you ready for an apprenticeship or a job. You’ll get work experience and some help to apply for your next steps. You can also improve your maths and English skills. You’ll get work experience and some help to apply for whatever you do next.
Location: You’ll spend a minimum of 70 hours in a work placement with the rest of your time in college or a training centre
Duration: 6 weeks to 1 year
Entry Requirements: You need to be aged between 16 to 24 or up to 25 with an Education Health and Care Plan with no higher than a L evel 3 Qualification
Qualifications: English, Maths, digital and work-related qualifications
Leads to: Apprenticeship, further education, work
Find out more:
- ask your local college or training provider
- speak to your school careers adviser
- speak to your Jobcentre Plus adviser if you receive benefits
- find a traineeship in your area
Supported Internships
Description: Supported internships are for young people with learning difficulties or learning disabilities, who need extra support to get a job.
Location: You’ll spend most of your time on placements with an employer, learning skills for work. You’ll also get help from a tutor and a job coach in college or with a specialist provider.
Duration: A minimum of 6 months
Entry Requirements: Aged 16-24 with an Education Health and Care Plan
Qualifications: GCSE English and Maths
Leads to: Work, traineeship, apprenticeship
Find out more:
- from your school or local college
- speak to your social worker or a transition worker
- speak to your Jobcentre Plus adviser
Apprenticeships
Description: Intermediate, advanced higher and degree apprenticeships combine practical on-the-job skills training with off-the-job learning. You’ll get training that is relevant to your job and be paid a salary. Start at a level to suit you, with support if you have special needs or a disability.
Location: You’ll spend 80% of your time in the workplace and 20% off-the-job with some study in a college, training centre or Institute of Technology (IoT)
Duration: A minimum of 1 year
Entry Requirements: Will be dependent on the industry, job role and apprenticeship level
Qualifications: apprenticeship certificate, diploma, degree and masters depending on level
Leads to: Work, next level of apprenticeship, further education, higher education
Find out more: Gov.uk information about Apprenticeships
School Leaver Schemes
Description: A chance to learn and train with a large company while earning a wage. Offered in sectors like accountancy, engineering, finance, IT, law, leisure and retail. Similar to graduate employment schemes run over a longer period of time.
Location: You’ll often rotate between different locations with the same company to get experience and it can include distance learning or time in college or university
Duration: 3 to 7 years
Entry Requirements: Usually high grade A levels or equivalent and a keen interest in the sector you want to work in
Qualifications: A university degree and/or professional qualification
Leads to: Professional employment
Find out more: Directly from company websites