Making choices for the future

Making choices about your future is never easy and it becomes even more difficult when the range of subjects and types of qualification is so large. It is a good idea to take advice from lots of people on your future – your mentor, teachers, your family, the Connexions service and your friends. Think carefully about what they say and whether their advice makes sense to you.

If you have doubts that it makes sense to continue studying after Year 11, consider the following:

• Staying on at school improves your chances of getting good qualifications
• The better your qualifications, the more employment or university/college options you have. Getting Level 3 qualifications is the best way of getting into university or college. On average, people in the UK earn £400,000 more over their lifetime if they have a degree than if they don’t. Take the long-term view.
• Sixth Form study is enjoyable because the range of courses available means that you are studying the courses that you want to study

The following guidelines might seem obvious but they are worth keeping in mind as you decide which subjects to take.

What do you enjoy? Obviously you will consider the subjects that you have enjoyed at GCSE but also consider what it is about these subjects that you have enjoyed and whether a new subject would give you the chance to develop this further. For example, do you enjoy debate and discussion? Do you enjoy creating new things? Do you enjoy finding out how the world works? Several courses will suit people who like each of these types of study. Try not to base your choice on what your friends are doing (you are unique, aren’t you?) and on whether you like or dislike a particular teacher – you will find that relationships between students and teachers at Sixth Form are more relaxed than in the younger years.

What are you good at? You probably already have a fair idea about this based on marks in your GCSE tests and mock exams. If these have not gone well, don’t despair – students often find that their results in the final exam are an improvement on their mock exam scores because they have had more practice by that stage and have made improvements in the areas that need them. If you are not sure whether you are good at a subject, ask your teacher!

What do you need for your future study or work? Some courses at universities and colleges have specific requirements for the A-levels that you need; for example, Medicine and Architecture. Most, however, are simply interested in the grades you achieve and in your other skills and potential for further study. For more detailed information on this, see the UCAS web site www.ucas.com or talk to your Connexions advisor.

Queen Elizabeth’s, in common with most school Sixth Forms, expects students doing Level 3 qualifications to take four AS levels / BTEC Level 3 courses in Year 12, carrying on with three or four of these to the full A level / BTEC National in Year 13. This requirement does not apply to those taking BTEC First Diplomas (Level 2) or the ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness.

Enrichment Option: All year 12 students will also choose from an Enrichment Option. This includes a range of enrichment opportunities and academic courses, this time may also be used for work experience placements.

What will you do in addition to your programme of study? Sixth Form at Queen Elizabeth’s provides some excellent opportunities to pursue your interests outside lessons and develop new interests. These are not just a good way of relaxing from study; they also help you to develop the skills and attitudes that universities and employers want to see in people who apply to study or work with them. Think carefully from an early stage what you are going to do in your ‘frees’. Most courses and employers will want to see that you have skills in, for example, communication, ICT, solving problems and working with others.

Extended Project
In Year 13 all students will have the opportunity to complete an Extended Project. This offers a free choice of project so that students can explore in depth. It can derive from an aspect of a subject being studied or a topic in which students have a personal interest. This qualification is equivalent to an AS Level. More importantly, it will show universities that students have personal motivation, independent research and study skills and improved personal learning and thinking skills.

Guide To Qualifications

A-Levels

A-levels are made up of two stages: AS levels and A2s AS levels are the first stage and are usually done in Year 12. They can also be counted as qualifications in their own right if students decide not to carry them forward to A2. For university entrance requirements, an AS level counts for half the points of a full A-level.

AS + A2 = A level

The standard A-level programme at Queen Elizabeth’s involves doing 4 AS levels in Year 12.

In Year 13 students have different options:

• carry all of these forward to A2 so that at the end of Year 13 they have 4 full A-levels.
• carry three of these on to A2 and dropping one, so that at the end of Year 13 they have 3 full A-levels and 1 AS level
• carry three of these on to A2, dropping one and taking up an additional AS level so that at the end of Year 13 they have 3 full AS levels and 2 AS levels (one from each of Years 12 and 13)

Students may also re-sit parts of their AS level exam, so as to improve their overall mark for Alevel, though they may re-sit each part only once. The school may require that students pay for any re-sit exams.

Entry requirements: to do the A-level programme at Queen Elizabeth’s, you will need to have achieved 5 or more GCSEs at grades A*-C. Individual departments might also require certain grades at GCSE in particular subjects.

BTEC Firsts and Nationals

BTEC First Diplomas are practical courses, equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grade A*-C. The emphasis is on practical skill rather than examinations and BTEC is more suited to students who prefer this practical, project-based approach. BTEC qualifications are accepted by employers and are an alternative entry route to higher education.

BTEC First Diplomas are most appropriate for students who achieve GCSE grades mostly in the range of D-G.

BTEC National Diplomas are similar in style to First Diplomas but are equivalent to A-levels. They are most suitable for students who have already achieved several GCSEs at grade C or better or who have already achieved a BTEC First Diploma.

The ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness

The ASDAN CoPE qualification lasts for one year and is designed to help students improve their level of employability by gaining new skills and qualifications. It provides a strong programme of guidance and a range of experiences tailored to the needs of the individual student and including work experience and key skills development. There is also the possibility of doing the ASDAN CoPE alongside A-level qualifications for students with appropriate grades at GCSE. Many students take the ASDAN course alongside a BTEC course.

AQA BACCALAUREATE

In addition to the standard curriculum students are now able to offer students the opportunity to achieve the AQA Baccalaureate. This is a qualification which recognises and celebrates the achievements of well rounded students with A-levels and more.

Students face ever-increasing challenges in highly competitive environments for opportunities in employment and higher education.

To be successful, they must develop and demonstrate

• self-management
• independence
• communication
• initiative

alongside their academic ability.

The AQA Bacc can effectively strengthen and illustrate these skills. Students build on core Alevel subjects, adding value through wider learning and enrichment activities. Students can complete a Bacc based on GCE A-levels awarded by any awarding body to achieve a grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction.

At QECC students can achieve this qualification by adding CAS activities, AS Critical Thinking and the Extended Project.

Extended Project Qualification

This is an opportunity for all sixth form students to gain a new project based qualification in Year 13. No formal lessons, no exams, the chance to work on something that really interests you.

What’s it worth?

It is equivalent to half an A level and is graded in the same way, an A grade would give you 60 UCAS points and so on. Universities are keen on it because it shows that you can work independently. Employers will value it because you can design it around your chosen career. It is also an essential component of the AQA Baccalaureate.

Who can do it?

Everyone - it would particularly suit those who have passions and interests outside school or those who are particularly interested in a specific subject. It could be focus of your study at university or it could launch a career. It would also prove that you have the motivation and self-discipline to be able to work on your own.

What can I do it on?

It’s up to you, but it cannot be something that you have to do anyway as part of a taught course. It should extend your knowledge and experience beyond the syllabus. It can be an extension of your favourite subject or an application of one or more subjects to the world. You can also your CAS activities or work experience as a starting point for the project.

How is it presented?

It can be a written project of about 5,000 words or it could be a video of a performance or event, a PowerPoint presentation or a web site. If you choose to use a different media then you will need an introduction and evaluation of about 1,000 words. You will also be required to give a short presentation about your project and what you have learnt from doing it. Sounds great when can I start?

Because the Extended Project involves independent study skills and a grasp of the basics of your subject or a chance to get involved with CAS activities the best time to start is immediately after taking your AS exams at the end of Year 12. We will run workshops to help you acquire some of the general skills needed and you will be matched with a suitable tutor to support you during the project. Proposals and plans need to be completed before the end of Year 12. This also gives you the opportunity to base your project around an activity that is taking place in the summer holidays if you wish (work experience or an international event for example).

When would it need to be completed by?

When you start in Year 13 your project should already be well underway. The aim will be to complete the write up and give your final presentation before the end of the autumn term or early in the New Year. This way it will be well out of the way before you have A2 exams to cope with.

For further information talk to Kevin Walker, look under student resources/KS5 Extended Projects or visit: www.aqa.org.uk/over/extendedproject.php