You Only Leave Once!

You need to remember that, because of the RPA (Raising of the Participation Age), you have to remain in education or training until you are 18.  This does not mean you have to stay on at school after Year 11.  You can:

• Stay in full time education at any 6^th form or college;
• Do full-time work-based learning such as an Apprenticeship;
• Do part-time training alongside working (including self-employment) or volunteering for over 20 hours a week.

In school, in your PD lessons, you will put together a career portfolio that will prepare you for the next step in your career.  This will include visitors from local colleges who will be able to give you lots of advice.  You will all have the chance to meet with a careers adviser from Careers South West to talk through your options but you must ask for an appointment; it will not be organised automatically for everyone.

In addition, your parents can subscribe to a monthly e-newsletter from careers South West by completing the form at: http://www.careerssw.org/parent/parent-home

You need to begin your research NOW

Cornwall College Saltash        www.saltash.ac.uk      info@saltash.ac.uk

Information Events:

• Thurs 24^th Oct                  5-7.30pm
• Sat 30^th Nov                     10-12noon
• Thurs 6^th Feb                    5-7.30pm
• Sat 22^nd March                10-12noon

Duchy College           www.duchy.ac.uk       stoke.enquiries@duchy.ac.uk

Information Events:

• Sat 23^rd Nov               10-12noon
• Sat 25^th Jan                10-12noon
• Sat 15^th March           10-12noon

Also lots of taster days – look on the website or in the prospectus.

City College Plymouth            www.cityplym.ac.uk

Open Days:

• Sat 5^th Oct                  10am – 3pm
• Sat 8^th Feb                 10am – 3pm

Taster Weeks:

• Mon 28^th Oct – Fri 1^st Nov (half term)
• Mon 17^th Feb – Fri 21^st Feb (half term)

Have a go at courses, meet staff & students and gain hands-on experience, from bricklaying to hairdressing.  For more information, call 01752-305300 or www.cityplym.ac.uk/tasterweek

Plymouth  College of Art        www.plymouthart.ac.uk

Open Days:

• Sat 5^th Oct          1-5pm
• Sat 9^th Nov         1-5pm
• Sat 7^th Dec         1-5pm
• Sat 11^th Jan       1-5pm
• Sat 8^th March    1-5pm
• Sat 5^th April       1-5pm

Apprenticeships

There are lots of Apprenticeships that are available these days.  If you are interested, please see your PD teacher, who will be able to give you a leaflet.  In the meantime, you need to work hard to find an employer that will take you on, eg a garage if you want an Apprenticeship in mechanics.  You will also need to register with a training provider, which may be Cornwall College or City College – see their prospectuses.  You should also register on the National Apprenticeships website at:

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Other useful contacts:

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

This website contains a wealth of information on: local & national courses, Apprenticeships, CVs, covering letters, funding advice, interviews, individual guidance (via email or webchat), etc.

www.careerssw.org       Careers South West – lots of information on all aspects of education & training.

www.volunteercornwall.org.uk/rpa

Dates for your planner:

6^th Form Open Evening – Thursday 7^th November
Year 11 Parents’ Surgery – Tuesday 3^rd December
Deadline for application to saltash.net 6^th form – Friday 13^th December
Post-16 Pathways Evening – Thursday 30^th January