Further Education

Ministers want more young people (you) to increase their level of qualifications and skills, and aspire to having a majority experiencing higher education by 2010, but figures released by the National Statistics office a while ago show that the proportion of 16 year olds in education and training at the end of 2001 was an estimated 86.5% - down from 86.6% at the end of 2000 and from 88% a decade ago.

from the BBC

So the choices with Further Education are Sixth Form or College, and it’s a choice that you have to consider carefully. For example, do they offer the courses you want to do? Is it easy to get too? What are the facilities like?

Most Colleges/Sixth Forms have a prospectus (and a website) and these should hopefully tell you about the different courses on offer, what qualifications you need, if any, and what the course entails. You might also find helpful advice from your Connexions or Careers Adviser, or even go along to an open day/evening.

Applications

You can get application forms:

- directly from the college/school
- from your local Connexions/Careers Centre.

Always check when the application should be in by and try to complete and submit it well before that date.

If you’re late in deciding to go to college, talk to your Connexions/Careers Adviser. You can also ring around the colleges to see what places are still available.

Don't forget that Connexions Direct are there to help too and their number is:
080 800 13 2 19