Cambridge Edition November 2020 - Web

EDUCAT ION

What n e xt? WITH GCSE EXAMS DONE AND DUSTED, DECIDING WHICH WAY TO GO CAN SEEM DAUNTING. NICOLA FOLEY SPEAKS TO LOCAL EXPERTS ABOUT THE OPTIONS ON OFFER FOR POST-16 EDUCATION IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

here was a time when, aged 16, you could skip out the school gates without so much as a backward glance and be on your

each week? Which lessons are they most engaged with and which do they enjoy? Second, they should consider what they would do if they had an hour in the school day free – Science? Food? Music? Talking through their ideas or questions with someone is really useful and often through these conversations, an A-level path becomes clear. Third, attend an open event or book a personal tour and find out what A-level courses actually involve.” Above all, she stresses, students should keep an eye to the future and

way in the world. No longer. As of 2016, UK legislation requires young people to continue in education, employment or training until the age of 18. Thankfully, our area offers up a rich and inviting range of options for post-16 education, from the large choice of vocational courses at Cambridge Regional College to the prestigious STEM-focused qualifications at Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (CAST); not forgetting the top-quality options for those looking to go down the traditional A-level route.

With so many choices, the daunting first task is deciding what to study and where. Pupils are encouraged to carefully consider their interests and future ambitions, using this to create a plan with the help of teachers and career advisers. But what about the many 16-year-olds who have nothing close to a firm idea of where they hope to be in five years’ time? “The first thing they can do to help them decide is look at their timetable,” suggests Ruth Taylor, head of sixth form at St Mary’s School. “What do they love

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