When it comes to what to do when leaving school, there really is no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is that you are happy and thriving in whatever your chosen path may be.

For many of our pupils who are either heading up from senior school to sixth form or those who are heading into their final year, it’s time to start thinking about the route you want to take once you have left sixth form which is why we’ve taken a look at some different routes for you to consider.

University  

If you are passionate about a particular subject, you want to be educated further or you simply want to have a career in a field that requires a degree; university could be the place for you. With hundreds of different universities across the country, each teaching hundreds of different subjects, there is certainly something for everyone. Attending open days as well as chatting to those who have been to university can help give you a good idea of what to expect.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a great choice for those who now want to get into the working world but are keen to gain some more qualifications, experience and to learn more about a certain industry. Apprenticeships are available at many different levels; you can even do a degree apprenticeship where your time is split between work and uni. This can be a great path for getting your foot in the door and progressing within a role early on in your career.

Gap Year

There’s no saying that you must have something planned for when you leave school. Many believe that taking a gap year is seen as a way out of making that decision, when in reality it helps you make the right decision as you have a little more time to think about it. Many students choose to go travelling or work abroad during their gap year, which can enhance your learning and development in ways you never even expected. Your CV will be naturally improved too, with experiences that not many will be able to say they’ve had.

What may be best for your friend, may not necessarily be the right choice for you. Throughout your time at our sixth form, we will help you as best we can to find what is best for you after you’ve got your results and you’ve found yourself in the big wide world. It can be a daunting time, so make sure you chat with your teacher or form tutor, we are always here to help.