What Next at 16: Year 10 and 11 choices

You may not know exactly what you want to do when you leave Year 11 but you’ll have to make some decisions. These page will tell you about your options and help you to think about what’s best for you.

Remember – if you’re in Year 11 you will be able to see a careers adviser or teacher in school to explore your choices!

…and use our online support online

Making the right choice

People make decisions in different ways depending on the choices they have to make. You could make a decision by rolling a dice or copying a friend but any decision you make will affect you so take some time to think about what would be right for you.

Once you’ve had a few ideas, sit back and think about how you feel about those possible options. Do you have a ‘gut reaction’ to any of them – good or bad? Is your instinct telling you anything?

You could use these questions or print the worksheet below to help your decision making.

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Options in Year 10 and 11 'Making decisions', Connexions TV

Ask yourself:

Why do I want to take this course or job?
Why would I be suited to it? (You may need to do more research before you can answer this question)
What are my strengths and skills?
What do I need to have?
(For example, qualifications)
How could this option benefit me?
(For example, what could you move on to next)

Answer truthfully!

Ask Yourself worksheet - [47 KB] How you feel about those possible options?

Gaze into your crystal ball.... which of these statements is the most realistic?

At the end of Year 11 I won’t be ready to go on to a Level 1 qualification
Entry Level could be for you
Entry Level qualifications can increase your skills and confidence and help you progress to the next level. Ask your teacher for more information ot find out more

At the end of Year 11 I will be ready to do a Level 1 qualification
Look into NVQ Level 1 qualification. GCSEs at Grades D-G are also Level 1 qualifications.
Any qualification will make you more attractive to an employer.

At the end of Year 11 I expect to achieve Level 1 qualifications (equivalent to GCSE grades D-G)
You could go on to do a Level 2* qualification at sixth form or college
Level 2 qualifications include BTEC First, NVQ, Intermediate Apprenticeship or GCSEs grades A-C)

At the end of Year 11 I expect to achieve Level 2 qualifications
Go on to do a Level 3* qualification at sixth form or college
Choose from Advanced Apprenticeship, A or AS levels, NVQ, BTEC National or similar.

At the end of Year 11 I want to leave formal education and start earning
You can still earn while building skills ‘on the job’
Consider an Apprenticeship (the level will depend on what you achieve at the end of Year 11), a job with training or setting up your own business

Subjects matter!

The more qualifications you have, the better your chances of getting the job you want. Higher grades will also help. However, did you know that for some jobs, the subjects matter too?

If you know the career area you want to go into, do some research to find out if you need specific subjects or qualifications to begin a course that helps you qualify in that area.

If you’re thinking of doing a specific degree, the UCAS site (www.ucas.com) will tell you the subjects, qualifications and grades needed to do that course.