As we approach the final GCSE exams, young people across Knowsley will be thinking about the next steps in their education journey.
Many students will have already picked their preferred college or further education options but there will also many young people who are not sure on the path they want to take.
If you have not decided on your next steps, don’t worry as there is still time to make that decision and you don’t need to plan out your whole future career right now.
However ahead of results day in August, young people are encouraged to look at options available to them and consider how and where they would like to continue their post-16 education. Some courses and colleges have entry requirements so it important to know what these are and ensure you have a number of options.
What is available in for Knowsley school-leavers?
There’s an array of opportunities for post-16 education in Knowsley and Knowsley’s young people have a successful track record of achieving their goals.
For the last academic year (2020/2021), 98.5% of school leavers in Knowsley went into education, employment or training – this is the highest rate in the Liverpool City Region and is higher than the national rate of 95.5%.
Of the 1,119 school leavers, 1,033 went on to study Level 2 or 3 qualifications in Colleges, Sixth Forms and other further education establishments.
At present, further education in Knowsley is available at:-
- Knowsley Community College offering a range of Level 1 to 3 vocational courses and apprenticeships as well as supported learning for Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities (SEND) students and GCSEs English, Maths and Science
- All Saints Catholic High School Sixth Form offering a range of Level 3 vocational courses in Business, Health and Social care, Uniformed Public Services and Sport alongside A Level Art, Graphics and Textiles
- Bluebell Park – post 16 provision for young people with complex needs including independent living skills alongside creative, sports, horticulture and core curriculum
- Alt Bridge School – post-16 provision for young people with Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) with qualifications in life and living skills, employability and Duke of Edinburgh as well as continuing with English and Maths GCSEs and functional skills
- Flourish Further Education – 19 to 25 provision for young people with very high and complex needs providing an individualised sensory curriculum and life skills
Other popular choices which border Knowsley are:-
There are also a broad range of study options including:-
- A levels
- T levels
- Technical and Vocational qualifications
- Exam retakes
Not only that, students can combine work and study and access:-
- Supported internships – more information can be found on the Knowsley Family Information Service website
- Apprenticeships – a dedicated Knowsley Apprentice scheme
- operates in Knowsley. Over 60 vacancies are now live with opportunities for fabrication welders, bakery assistants, administrators, electricians, health and safety, orienteering and outdoor learning and beauty – to name just a few!
- Traineeships
Get the Unifrog App
A key priority for the Council is to ensure that young people have the right information and support to help them make the important decision about what to do when they leave school.
To help with this, the Council has funded Unifrog for all secondary school students – this is an app which helps school leavers understand their options and make positive choices about their future education, employment, or training.
Young people should speak to their school if they want to know how to access the app for free!