This series of PowerPoint presentations complements the programme which supports young people to make decisions in Year 11.

1
Introduction
This series of PowerPoint presentations
complements the programme which supports young
people to make decisions in Year 11. The
Practitioners section of the Connexions
Derbyshire website www.connexions-derbyshire.org
includes practitioner notes lesson plans which go
with this presentation. We would like to know
what you think of this presentation. Email your
views to infoservices_at_connexions-derbyshire.org
thank you.
2
Options _at_ 16
Pathways to your future
Back
Home
Forward
3

Decision making
Post-16 options

Qualifications explained
Progression pathways
Back
Home
Forward
4
Qualifications explained
The aim of this presentation is to get you
thinking about the different types of
qualification available in each of the learning
pathways.

• This presentation will help you to
• learn about the different types of qualifications
  available and which option they can be studied in
• find out what level they are offered at
• think about how your preferred learning style
  might impact on the qualifications you choose to
  do
• discover how you can progress, and
• find out what to do next.

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Qualifications explained

• There are several different types of
  qualifications
• General qualifications
• Diplomas
• Vocational qualifications
• Apprenticeships, and
• Foundation Learning.
• The next set of slides show you what
  qualifications are available after Year 11 and
  what they involve.

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General qualifications
Qualifications explained

• AS and A levels
• are level 3 qualifications and are available in a
  wide choice of subjects
• are made up of four units and are graded A to E
• involve coursework and exams
• are completed at sixth forms and colleges, and
• can be completed on their own or as part of a
  Diploma.

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Qualifications explained
General qualifications

• GCSEs
• are level 1 or 2 qualifications depending on the
  grade you get
• are graded from A to G, and
• can be studied as part of a Diploma. You can also
  study them alone if you want to re-take your
  English or maths for example.

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Qualifications explained

• Diplomas

• Diplomas are new qualifications which combine
  theory and work-related learning.
• Diplomas are available in broad employment
  sectors like IT, hospitality, hair and beauty,
  and engineering.
• Diplomas are available at levels 1, 2 or 3.
• Diplomas are only offered in some schools at the
  moment.

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Qualifications explained

• You can do a Diploma after Year 11 at three
  different levels

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Qualifications explained

• Whats in a Diploma?
• Diplomas are made up of
• Principal learning where you learn about the job
  sector, such as engineering, which matches what
  goes on in the workplace now and the jobs you can
  do, and
• Additional or specialist learning where you get
  the chance to study a topic youre interested in,
  in more detail.

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Qualifications explained
Diplomas also include General learning, such as

• everyday skills in maths, English and IT called
  Functional Skills
• Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTs)
  which will help you develop teamwork and
  communication skills
• a personal project connected with your Diploma
  which you can plan and organise, and
• a minimum of ten days work experience.

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Qualifications explained
Vocational qualifications

• Level 3 BTEC qualifications
• can be studied on their own as a vocational
  qualification or as part of an Advanced Diploma
• are available in lots of different work-related
  areas
• are equivalent to A levels and are graded as
  pass, merit or distinction
• are available as Certificates, Subsidiary
  Diplomas, Diplomas and Extended Diplomas
  depending on the length of the course.

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Qualifications explained
Vocational qualifications

• Level 2 BTEC qualifications
• can be studied on their own as a vocational
  qualification or as part of a Higher Diploma
• focus on broad areas of work, such as health and
  social care
• involve a mixture of continuous assessment, tests
  and work-related learning, and
• are available as Certificates, Extended
  Certificates and Diplomas depending on the length
  of the course.

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Qualifications explained
Vocational qualifications

• Level 1 BTEC qualifications
• can be studied on their own as a vocational
  qualification or as part of a Foundation Diploma
• are available in a variety of subjects
• can prepare you for further study at level 2
  either full-time or on an Apprenticeship, and
• are available as Certificates, Awards and
  Diplomas depending on the length of the course.

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Qualifications explained
Vocational qualifications

• NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications)
• are available at level 1, 2 and 3 at post-16
• can be studied on their own as a vocational
  qualification at college or as part of an
  Apprenticeship
• are available in lots of job areas
• help you to learn the skills for a particular
  job, and
• are usually assessed through practical
  observations and a portfolio of work.

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Qualifications explained
Vocational qualifications

• Entry level certificates
• can be studied on their own as a vocational
  qualification or as part of a Foundation Diploma
  or Foundation Learning programme
• are ideal if you want to develop your personal
  and social skills
• involve practical activities and allow you to
  progress on to other qualifications, and
• can either be studied on their own or alongside
  other qualifications.

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Qualifications explained

• Its possible to move through and across the
  different progression routes, but this will
  depend on
• the grades youve achieved
• the subject youve been studying, and
• sometimes, the option that you have chosen.

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Qualifications explained
Information about qualifications is changing all
the time.
Make sure you check www.connexions-derbyshire.org
for the latest information. Just click on
Education and then Qualifications explained.
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Qualifications explained
Now you need to

• use Routes Ahead to find courses that youre
  interested in
• ask your Connexions Personal Adviser for more
  information on qualifications when youre making
  your choices
• go to open evenings to find out more about the
  courses youre interested in, and
• find out where qualifications lead.