Flying high with your future - further education

Further education is college or sixth form based study, you will be studying for a qualification such as BTECs and A-levels.

How to decide?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?

 

Supported internship

Apprenticeship

Further education

Traineeship

Other options
for example, personalised learning college

Advantages

  • real work experience
  • just for young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) so work place will be aware of inclusivity
  • minimum of 26 weeks on work placement
  • useful experience to add to CV
  • some professional qualifications gained sooner
  • free training and studies
  • paid National Minimum Wage whilst on apprenticeship
  • focus on training for a specific job
  • can gain degree through scheme
  • can study degree after scheme
  • some professions require A-levels or a degree
  • gives maximum career flexibility
  • can work part-time
  • emphasis is on education, learning and/or specific career
  • ability to network with peers
  • can gain work experience in longer holidays
  • real work experience
  • opportunity to gain invaluable work experience
  • traineeship can be from 6 weeks to a year (though most last for less than 6 months)
  • training is also provided
  • can lead to apprenticeship or employment
  • specialist bespoke learning

Disadvantages

  • unpaid
  • 12 months commitment
  • no guarantee of a job
  • not available with all professions
  • limited networking opportunity
  • working while studying can be challenging
  • can limit career path
  • no job guarantees afterwards
  • may have to compete with graduates for jobs
  • requires certain level of GCSE qualification
  • qualifying for some professions takes a long time
  • student finances
  • no guarantee of a job afterwards
  • unpaid
  • must be unemployed and 16 to 24 years old
  • no guarantee of a job
  • very specific criteria for gaining a place, this includes having an EHCP

Other things to consider

  • will you enjoy your course? Will it get you closer to where you want to be?
  • money - will you be able to afford this route? Are there any grants to help you? 
  • will you want or need an advocate for you at meetings? If so who?
  • moving on support - what sort of support will you get to help you move to your new education provider?
  • transport - how will you get to where you need to be and how long will it take? How much will it cost?
  • regular support - what extra support do you need and will you get it? If you have one, will your education, health and care plan continue?

Travel Information

You will need to apply for your transport every year after you are 16 years old. You can get more information and apply on our transport to sixth form or college page and you should apply as soon as as you can after 31 May for September start dates. 

Further education providers

Type of provision Name of provider Location Qualifications available More information
  Entry level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 / A-levels / T-level Clip Prospectus Other
Specialist School Brompton Hall Scarborough Yes Yes Yes        
Sixth Form Caedmon College Whitby Whitby     Yes Yes   Prospectus - Caedmon College  
College Harrogate College Harrogate   Yes Yes Yes   Harrogate College  
Sixth Form Northallerton School and Sixth Form Northallerton       Yes   Prospectus and Curriculum - Northallerton School and Sixth Form College  
Sixth Form Scarborough Sixth Form Scarborough     Yes Yes   Scarborough Sixth Form  
College Scarborough Tec Scarborough Yes Yes Yes Yes   Scarborough Tec Learner support, advice and guidance and support services
College Scarborough UTC Scarborough       Yes   Scarborough UTC  
College Selby College Selby Yes Yes Yes Yes Selby college Bing page Selby College  
Specialist School Springhead School Scarborough Yes Yes Yes     Springhead School  

Specialist School

Springwater School

Harrogate

Yes

 

 

 

Springwater school sixth form video

 

 

Sixth Form St Aidans School Harrogate       Yes      
Sixth Form Stokesley School and Sixth Form College Stokesley       Yes   Prospectus and Curriculum - Stokesley School and Sixth Form College  

Specialist School

The Dales

Northallerton

Yes

 

 

 

Welcome to The Dales school video

The Dales

 

Sixth Form Thirsk School and Sixth Form Thirsk       Yes Thirsk School and Sixth Form College Thirsk School and Sixth Form  

Specialist School

Wellburn Hall School

Helmsley

Yes

 

 

 

 

Welburn Hall school prospectus

 

Sixth Form Wensleydale School and Sixth Form Leyburn       Yes An Introduction to Post 16 at The Wensleydale Business and Innovation Centre Wensleydale School and Sixth Form  
Sixth Form Whitby Sixth Form Whitby   Yes Yes Yes Whitby sixth form virtual tour Whitby Sixth Form  

Out of county providers

College

Askham Bryan College

York

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Welcome to Askham Bryan college video

 

 

College Bishop Burton College Beverley   Yes Yes Yes Bishop burton virtual tour Bishop Burton College  
College Darlington College Darlington Yes Yes Yes Yes Darlington college social story Darlington College  
Specialist School KTS Academy Redcar and Cleveland Yes Yes   Yes   KTS Academy  
College Middlesbrough College Middlesbrough Yes Yes Yes Yes Middlesborough college virtual tour Middlesbrough College Middlesborough college special educational needs guide

College

Prior Pursglove College 

Guisborough

 

 

Yes

Yes

Prior Pursglove video

 

 

College

Stockton and Riverside College

Stockton

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Welcome to Stockton riverside college video

Course Guides Stockton riverside college

 

College

York College

York

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Something for everyone video

 

 

The above table is some of the post 16 options open to you.