School students, year 11, interested in work or further learning

September - December

• Review choice of subjects, options, learning programmes.
  
  
• Discuss options with careers advisors or teachers.
  
  
• Use careers library & websites for research.
  
  
• Start or update your Progress File.
  
  
• Attend college open days & career events.
  
  
• Consider career paths that fit your best subjects & grades as well as your interests.

• Explore your opportunities in employment, training, Further Education or Higher Education.
  
  
• Fill out application forms for sixth form or FE courses & start applying in January & February.
  
  
• Apply for additional support if you need it, such as equipment, transport, etc. at the same time and check that any assessment will be carried out before September & what support will be available.
  
  
• Interviews for FE colleges run throughout January - August.
  
  
• Start applying for Modern Apprenticeships & other work - based learning if you choose this option.
  
  
• Start planning for work experience or work shadowing, which will suit your interests and will help with career options.
  
  
• Make sure your Progress File is kept up to date, including your work experience report & achievements & interests outside school.
  
  
• Take your Progress File to interviews.
  
  
• Attend any workshops or activities on finding jobs that may be available.
  
  
• Attend any careers & skills events & fairs for ideas and prepare for them before you go with careers advisors or teachers if you can.
  
  
• Decide which referees you will choose if needed for course/job applications and ask their permission. If you need advice, discuss with a careers or guidance advisor.

• If you are planning to leave school in the summer, begin to apply for jobs from April.
  
  
• Discuss future plans, get help with job applications, consider approaching possible employers.
  
  
• Fill out application forms for FE courses if you have not already done so & are planning to go to college.
  
  
• Apply for and  Educational Maintenance Allowance in May or as early as possible, if you are going to college
  
  
• Apply for any child care places at FE college for September now, if you need them.
  
  
• Check the costs of any FE courses, such as books and equipment and discuss with student advisors what student finances may be available if you are going to continue studying, including any entitlement to EMA, travel, access funds, welfare benefits etc. by end of June.
  
  
• Check vacancies and apply for jobs with the help of careers advisors,  Connexions Personal Advisors (PA), local newspapers, JobCentres & JobCentrePlus (which helps with welfare benefits information as well as jobs). You can also register with agencies locally and on the Internet.
  
  
• Keep your Progress File up to date before you leave school for the summer.
  
  
• The school leaving date is the last Friday in June. School leavers can't start full-time work or work based learning before then, even if your exams are finished.
  
  
• If you are leaving school, register for work at your local JobCentre, JobCentrePlus, and your Connexions or careers office.
  
  
• If you are 16 or 17, not in full-time education, with very few qualifications, you may be entitled to paid time off for study while you are working. Check with your advisor.

• Consider what your options are in the light of any exam results. You may want to change your mind. Talk to your  Connexions Personal Advisors (PA), your careers teacher or careers advisor or visit your local Further Education college for advice.
  
  
• If you are looking for work, make an appointment with your Connexions PA or careers advisor for ideas and support.
  
  
• Check regularly with careers advisors & Connexions centres for vacancies, jobs & training opportunities.
  
  
• If you have applied for a college course starting in September, there may be summer enrolment for students at college who have unconditional offers. This will save you queuing up to enrol in September.
  
  
• You can usually get advice during the summer from college student advisors about courses, funding, childcare & other help for studying. You may also be able to get help with travel, equipment and other expenses related to your course.
  
  
• Apply for any child care places at FE college for September now, if you need them and haven't already done so.
  
  
• You should have received your National Insurance number when you were about 15 years and 9 months. If you did not, then you need to telephone: 0191 225 7714 (Department of Work & Pensions)
  
  
• If you lose your National Insurance Card, contact the local office of Department of Work and Pensions, which will send you an application form to apply for a new card.
  
  
• Check your rights on paying and reclaiming tax with the Inland Revenue or contact your local Tax Office

• May - September: apply for your educational maintenance allowance, if you are going to college in the next year.
  
  
• School leaving date: Last Friday in June for people who reach 16 in the school year.
  
  
• GCSE results: 26th August 2004
  24th August 2004 for CCEA - Northern Ireland
  
  
• Review your options, discuss exam results with careers or guidance advisors