Benjamin Britten Academy of Music & Mathematics

Below are some of the options open to school leavers, as well as local organisations which deliver these options. Students cover these in great depth during careers lessons and Year 11 one-to-one meetings. This list is not exhaustive, however represents the main routes students take once they leave school. 

A-Levels

What are they? A-Levels are Level 3 qualifications that you study at a Sixth Form College. 
A-Levels are offered in many different subjects, including all of the subjects you have been able to study at GCSE level plus some you will not have come across yet, such as:

Law                  Graphics                      Further Maths             Philosophy

Music Technology                   Politics              Psychology                 Sociology

                                                            …and more!

What GCSE grades do I need to take A-Levels? At least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and Maths. Higher for some courses that have entry requirements. When you have your college interview, you will be told exactly what you should be looking to achieve at GCSE level. Most Sixth Form colleges will require an average of 5.5 across your GCSE grades.

Where can I study A-Levels locally?

Lowestoft Sixth Form College: https://www.lowestoftsfc.ac.uk/ 

East Norfolk College: https://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk/

Applied Qualifications and Technical & Vocational Qualifications

BTECs

What are they? BTECs are Level 3 qualifications that provide specialist, work-related learning across a range of sectors:

Information Technology                     Sport                Engineering

            Music              Forensic Science                     …and more!

*The government have replaced some BTECs with T Levels, so there will be a reduction in BTECs and an increase in T Levels available for 2024 entry.*

What GCSE grades do I need to take BTECs? At least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and Maths.

Where can I study BTECs locally?

Lowestoft Sixth Form College: https://www.lowestoftsfc.ac.uk/ 

East Norfolk College: https://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk/ 

Diplomas 

What are they? Diplomas are similar to BTECs in that they give you knowledge and skills in a specific area. They are hands on, practical courses, which have less theory than A-Levels, and can prepare you to go into specific careers. They can sometimes include a work placement. 
Courses can include:

Plumbing                     Hair and Beauty          Childcare         Electrical Installation              Construction                Animal Care                Engineering                 Health and Social Care

…and more!

What GCSE grades do I need to take a Diploma? To study a Level 3 Diploma, many places ask that you pass at least five GCSEs, including English and Maths. To study a Level 2 Diploma, they would prefer you to have passed your English and Maths but don’t require any other qualifications.

Where can I study a Diploma locally?

East Coast College (they have a campus in Lowestoft and another in Great Yarmouth): https://www.eastcoast.ac.uk/ 

T-Levels

What are they? T-Levels are Level 3 qualifications, recently introduced by the government. They combine theory/ classroom with a work placement. Approximately 80% of the course will be delivered at a college and 20% of it will be at the work placement- you will undertake a minimum of 45 days of work experience during the two years. Courses can include:

-Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction                             -Education and Childcare 

            -Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing 

-Healthcare Science                            -Finance                                  -Accounting

What GCSE grades do I need to take a T-Level? At least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and Maths.

Where can I study a T-Level locally?

East Coast College (they have a campus in Lowestoft and another in Great Yarmouth): https://www.eastcoast.ac.uk/  

East Norfolk College in Gorleston: https://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk/  

Lowestoft Sixth Form College: https://www.lowestoftsfc.ac.uk/ 

East Norfolk also offer a Level 2 T-Level transition programme. If you do not get the grades to go straight onto the Level 3 T-Level, you can study the Level 2 transition programme for one year which will get you the grades for the Level 3.

Apprenticeships

If you would prefer to take a vocational post-16 route, you may consider entering the labour (job) market when you leave school, through an apprenticeship.

An apprenticeship is a combination of: 

• Working
• Studying
• Training

                            An attractive feature of apprenticeships is that they allow you to                            

‘earn while you learn’

Some of the areas you can undertake an apprenticeship in include:

Business                             Catering and hospitality                      Construction and building

                                    Engineering                             Hair and beauty

What GCSE grades do I need to take an apprenticeship? This depends on whether you are hoping to study a Level 2 or Level 3. You will need to pass both English Language and Maths. For the Level 3 apprenticeship, employers may ask that you have passed at least three other subjects at GCSE.

How do I find a local apprenticeship? Apprenticeships can be advertised across a variety of platforms:

• Central government database for apprenticeship vacancies https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
• East Coast College Apprenticeships team https://www.eastcoast.ac.uk/apprenticeship-vacancies/
• You can also look on generic jobs search websites https://uk.indeed.com/?from=gnav-jobsearch--indeedmobile
• As well as specific company websites https://www.edfenergy.com/careers/apprenticeships
• Apprenticeships Suffolk https://apprenticeshipssuffolk.org/all-jobs/ (Their weekly newsletter is also emailed to all Year 11 students)
• General information about apprenticeships can be located on websites such as Amazing Apprenticeships https://amazingapprenticeships.com/

Traineeships

What are they? A traineeship is an unpaid work placement that allows you to develop the skills needed to start an apprenticeship, a college course or a job. On average, a traineeship will last for six months, but it can be up to a year.

What GCSE grades do I need to take up a traineeship? Ideally you need English Language and Maths at a pass or above, however if you do not get these grades, you can retake the subjects again alongside the traineeship.

How do I find a traineeship locally? Similar to apprenticeships, traineeships can be advertised across different platforms. A good place to start is the government database: https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship

Some other organisations a little further afield:

University Technical College Norfolk is a specialist engineering and technology college, offering a mixture of A Level and technical qualifications. They are based in Norwich: https://utcn.org.uk/

Easton College is a specialist agricultural college, offering a range of vocational and technical qualifications. They are based just outside of Norwich: https://www.easton.ac.uk/

City College Norwich is a large college offering both A Level and technical and vocational qualifications. They are based in Norwich: https://www.ccn.ac.uk/

Army Foundation College Harrogate is where junior entry soldiers go to train: https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-schools-and-colleges/afc-harrogate/