After Year 11, you need to go on to further study in a school sixth form, a college, or with a training provider. More information here
Local Information – Post 16 and Post 18 Options
Further Education (FE) refers to educational choices made after your 16th birthday (Post 16). It covers all qualifications lower than a degree.
Everyone has to continue in Further Education or undertake Employment with Training (i.e. an apprenticeship) until they are 18.
In an apprenticeship, you’re employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification – usually for one day a week either at a college or training centre.
Higher Education (also known as HE) doesn’t just mean going to university full time. You have lots of other options, and alternative routes to gain a degree. If you want to study a degree you can do this either at University, at a further education college, or through an employer in a Degree Apprenticeship.
Careers Help
| Qualified Careers Adviser @ Garforth Academy | Our team of qualified careers advisors, Mrs Llewellyn, Mrs Zama and Miss Pointing, provide impartial and confidential information, advice and guidance: Click here for more info. Careers meetings can include discussion on: Careers/jobs (ideas or no idea) Pathways (sixth form, college, apprenticeship, training programme, university) Finding an apprenticeship Filling in application forms Drafting a CV Job search and interview techniques Support with securing work experience |
| National Careers Service | Need to chat to a careers advisor from the National careers service? Their number is 0800 100 900 or you can chat online here |
| Course Search Tool | Use the course search tool to look for different types of learning opportunities. All providers are included, including; sixth forms, colleges and training providers. |
| National Apprenticeship Service | Find an apprenticeship Click here to search and apply for an apprenticeship in England Telephone: 0800 015 0400 |
School sixth forms, colleges, and sixth form colleges
| Provider Type | Provider & Website |
| School Sixth Form | Garforth Academy |
| Sixth Form College | Notre Dame |
| Sixth Form College | Leeds Sixth Form College |
| Further Education College | York College |
| Further Education College | Leeds City College |
| Further Education College | The Heart of Yorkshire Group Castleford, Wakefield & Selby Colleges |
| Further Education College | Leeds College of Building |
| Further Education College | Askham Bryan |
| UTC | UTC Leeds |
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships make sure you’re ‘job ready’ for the role you have trained for. Apprentices earn a salary right from day one of their employment and training.
If you think you need to improve your skills and would like more work experience so that you’re ready to apply for your chosen apprenticeship – you could consider doing a traineeship.
If you are interested in an apprenticeship, it’s a good idea to apply for a full time course as a back-up, just in case you don’t secure you ideal apprenticeship.
Here are some links with help finding apprenticeships
Further education colleges offer apprenticeship routes as well as full-time courses- see the apprenticeship pages of the above list of Further Education Colleges for details on their apprenticeship routes and vacancies.
| Apprentice Hub | Find an Apprenticeship – click here to go to site |
| National Apprenticeship Service | Find an apprenticeship Click here to search and apply for an apprenticeship in England Telephone: 0800 015 0400 |
| Futuregoals | Futuregoals-Starting an Apprenticeship |
Training Providers
Not ready for college, sixth form or an apprenticeship? Interested in gaining some work experience? Why not look at either a Study Programme or Traineeships?
| Street League | Support with securing an apprenticeship, traineeship, or further education whilst gaining qualifications in sports. |
| YMCA | Develop your skills with our Study Programmes, Traineeships and Apprenticeships at Central YMCA Doncaster |
| Spear Programme | One to one support to develop confidence and skills required for your next steps. |
| Nacro | Motor vehicle studies and catering/hospitality traineeships |
| Kirkstall Forge | Employability & Construction Skills Traineeships |
| White Rose School of Health & Beauty | Courses in Beauty Therapy, Nail Services, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Massage Therapy, Sports Massage and Hair and Media Make-up |
| MPCT Military Academies | Helping students progress into the Military |
Bursary/Financial Information
You can apply for a 16 to 19 Bursary Fund to help with education costs.
Child Benefits
Your Child Benefit stops on 31 August on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training. It continues if they stay in approved education or training, but you must tell the Child Benefit Office. More information here