Further education
If your teenager would like to continue their education there's lots of courses to choose from. Qualifications on offer include GCSEs, BTECS, A levels and in some places Diplomas. You can find out more about the different types of qualifications here. Depending on the course they want to do and how they want to study your teeanger can choose to study at a school sixth-form, sixth-form college or further education college.
Students may need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C to study AS levels. Some schools and colleges do not insist on this, so talk to the teachers to find out about choices. To check entry requirements for a course, get in touch with the college or look in the college prospectus. Some courses don’t ask for entry qualifications, but interest and enthusiasm are important. Level 3 courses usually last for two years.
Staying on for further education at school or college is free, unless your teenager goes to a fee-paying school. There are no course or exam fees, but there are costs such as travel, books, paper and pens, etc. Your teenager can get help with their learning costs by applying for EMA. For full details visit the student finance page.
Applying for courses: If your teenager wants to apply for sixth form or courses, they will need to fill out a LeCAP form (Leicester and Leicestershire Common Application Process form). You can find out more about the LeCAP form on our young persons site.
Find out more about further education on our young person's site
Links
Careersbox
Get involved and support your children with their career choices
CourseFinder
Search for courses, qualifications and training opportunities for 14 - 19 year olds in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Your teenager could receive up to £30 a week to help them continue their learning with EMA.
College open days
Calendar of college and sixth-form open days in Leicester and Leicestershire.
LeCAP Leicester and Leicestershire Common Application Process
Electronic applications for sixth-form and college places in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Connexions Direct
Info on helping your teenager learn and options after Year 11.
ParentsCentre
Advice on education, qualifications and exams.
Directgov
Your child's options after school: learning, work and money.
Jobs 4 U
Careers database with information on over 800 different jobs.
Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
National charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with a disability or learning difficulty in post-16 education, training and employment.