Winterhill School will be operating an application checking and submissions system in school. For further information contact: Careers Advisor, Tania Ashton-Bray.

 

There are lots of different qualifications to choose from so it's important to think about:

 

• ​Where you would learn best

• What level of qualification suits you best

• What type of qualification you would enjoy doing.

 

What is the difference between going to a College and attending a Sixth Form?

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• Colleges offer a range of courses for different abilities. All learners are aged 16 and over and there is no uniform. Colleges are bigger than schools and some colleges may have different colleges (or campuses) in different places e.g. Rotherham College, has a campus in Rotherham town centre and Rother Valley in Dinnington. They are also part of the RNN Group with Dearne Valley College.

 

• Sixth forms generally focus on courses that are more academic. Sixth forms are part of a school so the day is organised like a school day with learners aged 11 and up. Most sixth forms do not have a school uniform and have an area in school that is just for sixth form students to use (a common room). They also offer a small number of vocational courses.

 

What level should I choose?

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There are different levels to choose from, depending upon what GCSE grades you are predicted/achieve:

 

Entry Level          No formal qualifications.

Level 1                 GCSE grades 1 or lower

Level 2                 GCSE grades 3 to 2

Level 3                 GCSE grades 9 to 4

 

 

What type of qualification should I choose?

 

A Levels

​A Levels are Level 3 courses and can be achieved in two years; year one is the AS Level. To achieve a full A Level you need to complete a second year of study at A2. In the first year, you choose 3 or 4 AS levels and in the second year take all 4 or 3 of these subjects onto the A2 year. You can choose to study traditional subjects as Maths, English, Geography, Physics or choose to study new subjects such as Economics, Law, Philosophy or Sociology.

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Generally speaking A levels are assessed through exams and coursework BUT some are 100% exam. You will get a grade A* - E.

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BTEC Certificates and Diplomas

Available at Level 2 and Level 3 and take one to two years to complete, depending upon the level.  Can be taken alone or combined with other qualifications in some circumstances and depending on your college or sixth form. You can choose from a range of subjects such as Sports, Art and Design, Health and Social Care, Media, Public Services or Science. 

 

BTECs are assessed through coursework and many have work experience placements built in as part of the course. You will get a Distinction/*, Merit or Pass.

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T Levels 

T Levels are new courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A levels. These 2-year courses, which launched September 2020, have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training, or study. 

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T Levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days). 

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NVQs (National Vocational Qualification)

​NVQs are completed in the workplace and test your ability to actually do a job. This is the qualification you usually work towards when doing an Apprenticeship. Click on Apprenticeships, Traineeship and Study Programme to find out more.

 

You complete a folder of work (a portfolio) to prove that you can do specific work-related task.

 

Local Colleges and Sixth Forms

 

Here is a list of local colleges and sixth forms. Click on the link and access information about the providers and the courses they offer for Post 16 options. Click on the names below to take you to their website.

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Please note: Some colleges do offer apprenticeship opportunities; some may require you to find your own employer.

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       Rotherham College                                              Dearne Valley College (DVC)                        Sheffield College       

                      

       Barnsley College                                                   Doncaster College                                        Thomas Rotherham College (TRC)

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       Longley Park Sixth Form College                       Chapeltown Academy                                  Wickersley School and Sports College

 

       Sheffield High School                                           Wales High School Sixth Form                    Maltby Sixth Form

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       Swinton Sixth Form                                               Wath Sixth Form                                          Brinsworth Academy

 

       Dinnington Sixth Form                                         Aston Academy                                            Sheffield Park Academy

 

       All Saints Catholic High School                           UTC Sheffield City Centre