Staying in education

It can really help if you get good information when you’re making important decisions. Having the chance to ask questions and being listened to can also make a big difference.

There are groups who can offer advice and support as you move into adulthood. Some of these groups are part of Devon County Council and others are local and national charities. 

You can find out more about each group by clicking on the links below. 

• Devon County Council has information about moving on from school. 
• There are 6 Employment Hubs across Devon providing information and advice about training, work and supported apprenticeships. 
• Independent careers advice and guidance in Devon is offered by CSW.
• The Head Up! | Mentoring (head-up.org) scheme is open to young people aged 14-18 who self identify as disabled. It offers 1-1 mentoring by current or former university students who identify as disabled. It can cover: university applications, awareness of support you can get, confidence in asking for support, revision tips, setting goals and planning for success; making important decisions, navigating social situations and confidence disclosing disability.
• Devon County Council has information about money and the types of financial support available to some young people.
• Young Devon is a charity providing information and support for young people across Devon. They offer  skills training, advice about accommodation and a well being service. 
• The Preparing for Adulthood and Transitions Team  is part of adult social care here in Devon. This team works with young people who are likely to need significant help and support to become more independent as they move into adulthood. 

The law says that everyone should be in education or training until they are 18. After year 11 (age 16), you have some choices about how you do this.

The law does allow you to work after year 11 (age 16), but you must still take part in some education or training alongside work. The law says you should do a total of 280 hours of learning per year. This learning must lead towards a qualification. 

You can also volunteer and combine this with part time study. This is a way of getting work experience and learning new skills to help you in the future. 

Youth Hub Devon is part of the Employment Hub service. They support young people in Devon (aged 16-24). It is a Devon based service that gives information, advice and guidance around your next steps.

The service is here to:

• Help you understand the range of options available to you
• Help you get into employment, education and training.
• Help you look for jobs and apprenticeships that will suit you, and help you apply.
• Support you to write CVs, covering letters and job applications.
• Help you prepare for an interview.
• Signpost to other services that might be able to help you.

You can make an appointment at one of the 6 centres by filling in a form or by email. 

There are Youth Hubs in: 

• Barnstaple
• Cullompton
• Exeter
• Honiton
• Ilfracombe
• Tiverton

If you are in care, care experienced or a care leaver from Devon, the Youth Hub can support you no matter where you live.

School or College? 

Staying at school

• Some schools have sixth forms (years 12 & 13).
• If you’re happy at your school and the course you want to study is available, this option might be right for you. Some people choose to do this because they know the teachers, they know the school and some friends may also be staying on. This might not be right for everyone but it’s worth checking it out.
• Most mainstream school sixth forms offer A levels and some BTEC courses. Special School sixth forms generally offer a range of courses suited to their students. These may include GCSE courses, BTEC pre- vocational courses, functional skills in maths and English.
• If your school has a sixth form you can find out what courses they have, and how to apply, by checking the school website or  asking a member of staff.

Going to College

• Colleges are places that usually offer a wide range of courses. One of the big differences to school is there are students of different ages doing lots of different courses. The buildings are generally bigger, because there are more students.
• Colleges often have specialised facilities for practical courses. For example, hair salons, construction workshops and engineering workshops. 
• Agricultural or farming courses will have outdoor specialist facilities or access to farms.  
• Some of the courses offered at a college will be just for young people from 16-19. Other courses have mixed age students. Some courses are specially designed for young people with special educational needs and or a disability (SEND).

It’s best to check out the individual college websites to see what courses they offer and if they’re right for you. These are the colleges in Devon.

• Bicton College
• City College Plymouth
• Exeter College
• Exeter Maths School
• PETROC
• Plymouth College of Art
• South Devon College

There are some specialist colleges in Devon that offer courses based in the community or in smaller specialised settings. 

• ROC College 
• Breakthrough Transformation Trust 
• Eat That Frog 
• Simply Great Education 
• On Track Education 

If you’re trying to decide whether to stay at school or go to college the video below might be helpful.