Post-16 Choices
Post-16 Choices
See this page on the website for more information and to access the mpst up to date prospectus.
A-Levels are an academic qualification and it is important to consider whether they are appropriate for your abilities and ambitions as well as considering which subjects you should take.
Choosing A-Levels
Selecting your A-Levels (or other training) is perhaps the first time in your life where you have real choice about what you study. Below are some factors that might affect your decision but before you leap in, there are a couple of things to consider. The first is whether A-Levels are right for you at all. Have a look at "What are my post-16 options?" before you make any final decisions. The second is that for the vast majority of careers, most/any combination of A-Levels is possible. You will never "rule out" a particular career with your A-Level choices. Even if you settle on a career that requires certain subjects, it is always possible to take these at an FE college while working. In other words, your decision is important but it is not one that you need to stress or agonise over.
Do you know what you want to do afterwards?
A few careers and degree subjects, such as medicine and engineering will require particular A-levels. Clearly if you are fixed on something in particular then it is worth checking the university course page to see if there are any required or prefered subjects.
What do you enjoy?
Picking subjects you enjoy is more important than what you are "good at". Many subjects change significantly at A-Level, both in content and difficulty. You need to consider your natural aptitudes but remember, if you enjoy it, not only will your Sixth Form by much more fun but you will work harder, learn more and probably end up with higher grades.
Pick subjects that are complementary but show your breadth
Think about how you want to portray yourself to future employers and universities. If you are a "sciency person" then taking subjects based around Science and Maths makes sense. Taking all three or four of your subjects in this area risks limiting your future options or making you look too narrow. Consider taking one different but complementary subject. If you are taking mostly sciences this could be a humanity such as History or Economics that use your analytical side but also showcase your essay writing and ability to make nuanced judgements. If you are taking mostly Creative subjects, such as Art and Theatre Studies, you could include a subject such as English or another language.
Are there any bad reasons for choosing my subjects?
Yes, lots! Here are my top four:
My friends are all taking it. There is plenty of time to spend with your friends out of lessons and their company will not be enough to keep you smiling through two years of a subject you hate.
My parents want me to take it. Your parents know you well and you should respect their opinion but remember, it is you, not them that will have to sit through around 500 lessons over two years.
I need it to do X. Ok so this is not necessarily a terrible reason but remember, courses and careers have prerequisites for a reason. You will need those skills and/or subject knowledge in your future job. If you dislike the subject that much, are you sure you will enjoy the career?
I got good GCSEs in it. Your GCSE grades are a reasonable guide to your abilities and interests but remember that some subjects change a lot between GCSE and A-Level. Being good at GCSE does not guarantee that you will do well at A-Level or that you will enjoy the course content. It might be a good idea to have a look at an A-Level textbook and see what you think of the topics.
Getting Advice on your A-Levels
There are many ways to get advice. You can talk to tutor, parents, teachers, houseparent and friends. You can also use your personal careers portal to research entry routes into different jobs and grade/subject requirements for university courses.
If you have a shortlist of possible careers saved in the portal then there will also be a tab suggesting different post-16 options. Remember to pay attention to the warning triangle or question mark. This tells you that there may be other subjects or skills you will require if you wish to pursue a certain career.
What are my post-16 options?
You must remain in education or work based training until you are 18. Monkton only offer A-Levels as a post-16 option but there are a number of other options. The key ones are below but for a full explanation of the options available you can visit the National Careers Service website
A-Levels are an academic qualification that are good preparation for university or for some school leaver programmes. Typically you would take three or four A-Levels over two years. These may be combined with an EPQ, as for most Monktonians or with AS-Levels, which Monkton do not offer. Some courses include coursework content but all will involve some exam based assessments. Most subjects will assessed entirely by a set of terminal exams.
T-Levels are a new technical qualification in subjects such as accounting, construction, engineering and media. They combine work based and classroom based learning. Typically you would take a single T-Level over two years and be assessed through a combination of coursework, portfolios and examinations. One T-Level is considered equivalent to three A-Levels. Monkton do not offer T-Levels but some local institutions such as Bath College do.
Technical and Vocational Qualifications can be taken at levels below GCSE up to A-Level equivalents and above. They vary in duration and assessment methods but are designed to prepare you for a specific area of employment in areas such as social care, catering or IT. You can find out more about NVQs and other vocational qualifications here
Apprenticeships combine practical on-the-job training with classroom based learning. About 80% of your time would be spend in the workplace and you will be paid while you work and study. Subjects are wide and varied from accounting to cyber-security and business administration. You can complete apprenticeships at intermediate, higher, advanced or degree level. Entry requirements vary depending on the industry and level of qualification. Higher levels of apprenticeships will often require A-Levels and are an alternative to a degree rather than a post-16 option. Some traditionally graduate employers such as PWC and EY are now using degree apprenticeships as a major recruitment tool. You can find out more about apprenticeships here