Benjamin Britten Academy of Music & Mathematics

Pupils learn about post-16 pathways in careers lessons in Years 7, 8 and 9 and continue to explore them in greater depth in Year 10 group sessions and Year 11 one-to-one meetings. 

(V Levels will begin to replace some BTECs and vocational qualifications from September 2027. New Level 2 Further Study and Occupational Pathways will be implemented from September 2027.)

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

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 specific entry requirements, for example maths and some sciences. 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 Sixth Form College (Gorleston): https://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk/

V Levels (new qualifications from September 2027)

What are they? V Levels are new level 3 qualifications that offer a vocational pathway for students who want to explore different sectors before deciding where to specialise. Each V Level will be equivalent in size to one A level. This means students will be able to combine V Levels with A levels, creating a programme that reflects their interests and career ambitions. 

The first V Levels will be available from September 2027 in Digital, Education and Early Years, and Finance and Accounting. More subjects will follow over time. 

What GCSE grades do I need to take V Levels? 

Expected entry standards are minimum of level 4 in GCSE Engish and Maths, with some subjects requesting subject-specific grades in related subjects at GCSEs. 

Where can I study V Levels locally?

To be confirmed.

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 Sixth Form College in Gorleston: https://www.eastnorfolk.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

Some of the areas you can undertake an apprenticeship 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/

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                     

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 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

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/

Further organisations that deliver the above qualifications:

University Technical College Norfolk (UTCN) 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/

REAGIT is a specialist engineering training provider offering courses in mechanical and electrical maintenance, welding and fabrication, machining and industrial electrical systems. They are based in Norwich: https://www.reagit.co.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/ 

Jane Austen Sixth Form, Norwich https://www.janeaustencollege.org/104/welcome

Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, Norwich https://www.isaacnewtonsixthform.org/

Sir John Leman Sixth Form, Beccles https://www.sirjohnleman.co.uk/Sixth-Form/About-The-Sixth-Form/

New level 2 pathways, implemented from September 2027: 

Students at level 2 have two classroom-based choices: to take the Further Study pathway and Foundation Certificates, or to take the Occupational pathway and Occupational Certificates. Level 2 apprenticeships will still be available for those young people who prefer to gain skills and knowledge while in the workplace. The Further Study pathway is for students who want to progress to level 3 (T Levels, V Levels or A Levels). The Occupational pathway is for students aiming for relevant skilled employment at level 2, or an apprenticeship.  More information on these pathways will be released throughout this academic year.