Further Education 16 to 19
For those thinking about further education, choosing what to study and where will be an important step in planning the Post 16 pathway.
The following information should provide a broad overview of the Post 16 options within Further Education.
For more detailed subject or course information, please see the links included in each section.
Sixth Forms
A Levels
Many young people decide to stay on at their school’s 6th form or continue their education at a local college. If your school does not have a 6th form, it may be possible to attend a 6th form at a different school or college if the courses and support available are appropriate for you. This would usually be discussed at your Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) review meeting as you get closer to leaving school.
To follow an A level pathway, students would be expected to achieve at least 5 GCSE grades 4-9.
Please note, some A levels subjects may also specify a particular GCSE grade.
It is important to check what you will need with the school or college you are looking to study at.
Typically, a learner would opt to follow three A level subjects so careful consideration about which subjects to study is needed.
You can think about if there is a particular career path in mind, or if the preference is to look at the progression options from individual A level subjects.
Some schools may also deliver vocational courses as part of their sixth form offer.
Maths and English will also be included if someone has not yet achieved GCSE at a Grade 4 in either, or both, subjects.
Please refer to an individual sixth form prospectus for further information about subjects, courses and GCSE entry requirements for schools with sixth forms in North Tyneside:
St Thomas More Catholic High School
For the Post 16 curriculum offer in the special schools in North Tyneside schools, please see their individual websites below:
Sixth form college
For the A Level Post 16 curriculum offer in Sixth Form Colleges please see their individual websites below:
Vocational Courses
A vocational course is an education programme which has been designed to provide practical skills and knowledge related to a particular industry.
Vocational courses typically help prepare a learner for eventual employment in that chosen field.
Vocational courses are a full-time education pathway and often have a work experience element to the course. They can be studied at different levels, and the level of entry will depend on the GCSE qualifications already achieved.
Maths and English will also be included if someone has not yet achieved GCSE at a Grade 4 in either, or both, subjects.
Assessment for a vocational course can vary through a combination of portfolio, coursework, practical assignments, presentations, observations and any written based examination. You can read further about the assessment for individual courses with the colleges you are considering.
Students that choose to study vocational courses could progress onto further study, take on an apprenticeship, or enter the world of work.
For further information about the full range of vocational courses at local Further Education colleges, please see the individual college websites below:
Local College Provision
T Levels
T Levels are a technical vocational qualification for 16-19 year olds. They take two years to complete and are equivalent to 3 A Levels. T Levels have been designed in collaboration with employers and include a minimum of 45-days industrial placement.
T Levels offer a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on the job’ experience and the aim is to support young people to develop their skills, knowledge and to thrive in the workplace.
Assessment for a T Level is typically through a combination of exams, projects, and practical assignments.
Students that choose to study a T Level could progress onto further study at university or college, take on an apprenticeship, or enter the world of work. Students that enter the workplace may be supported by their employer to continue their studies too.
For further information about the full range of T levels at local Further Education colleges, please see the individual college websites below:
T-Levels (SL) - Tyne Metropolitan College
T Levels - Northumberland College
Foundation Learning
Foundation Learning programmes are aimed at young people who could benefit from further support in developing their individual skills whilst preparing for adulthood.
Foundation learning helps develop self-confidence, skills for independence, social skills, employability skills (including work tasters) and develop functional skills in maths, ICT and English.
Individual college websites have useful information about their Foundation Learning offer: