Students in Year 11 will be making decisions about what, and where, to study for their post-16 education. The information on this website is to help students understand their options and find out where they can access more information.

Careers Advice:

The Academy’s careers team are on-hand for students to learn about the various options available, to help them make informed choices. All Year 11 students will receive at least one 1-1 careers guidance appointment with the Trust’s qualified Careers Advisor. This will help students to understand their options, and ultimately make a decision about what they would like to study after Year 11.  

The Options:

Students will predominantly be making a decision between academic study (A Levels) and technical/vocational study (BTECs, T Levels or an apprenticeship). 

Students can see the range of options available to them within the Prospectus:

Academy Sixth Form Prospectus

Further information can be found on our Post-16 webpages. 

In making a decision, students should consider:

• Their interests and subjects that they enjoy
• Entry requirements to the various qualifications
• Further education aspirations and what the entry requirements are 
• Career aspirations and what the industry requirements are e.g. work experience
• Preferred styles of studying – exam-based subjects or subjects with coursework, observations and examinations

We invite a range of post-16 providers into the Academy to speak to students. Details of our provider access statement can be found in the provider access section of this website. Students should consider a broad range of providers and courses to help them make the best decision for their future. Students are encouraged to explore the websites of other providers, where they will find information about open events and courses available. Additional support is available from the Academy careers team, including application support.

Open Evenings and Careers Events

Students are encouraged to attend open evenings and events, to understand where they might like to study after Year 11. Information about each academy’s open evenings and events will be sent to students, parents and carers and added on the Academy website events pages.

Apprenticeship Expression of Interest

Students can complete our Expression of Interest form if interested in applying for a Priory apprenticeship.

Students who wish to find their own provider or require additional support, should speak to the Academy careers team.

Next Steps

Students will receive tailored workshops throughout Sixth Form, relevant to their chosen pathway, including:

• Interviews with external careers advisor to ensure broad and balanced exploration of pathway options
• CV writing & interview workshops
• UCAS application and personal statement writing
• Support and advice on researching the right apprenticeship opportunities
• Careers Fair - wide range of universities, apprenticeship providers and employers available to inform and advise students
• University Visits

Post 18 Education

Choosing to apply to university remains the most common route for our Sixth Form students. For those who do, comprehensive support in choosing the right university and course and completing UCAS applications is given. For those who choose not to apply for university, tailored support is given to ensure they find an appropriate apprenticeship, higher/further education course or employment.

Students will have an additional opportunity to meet with the Academy’s careers advisor during their sixth form studies, to discuss their next steps.

Throughout the two years, we provide guidance for the potential early entry students on how to strengthen their application through additional reading and research. They have access to advice on completing courses such as BMAT (The Biomedical Science Admissions Test), UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test), STEP, LNAT (Law Aptitude Test), etc. As the number of these courses which some students have to complete grows, we work to provide them with the support they require.