Secondary school
If you are aged under 16
In year 9 you will start to think about your options for Years 10 and 11 – known as Key Stage 4.
At each school year there are certain things that you can do. Learn more by clicking on your age:
Year 9
Aged 13 and 14
Year 10
Aged 14 and 15
Year 11
Aged 15 and 16
Year 9 – aged 13 and 14
In Year 9 you should start to think about what subjects you enjoy and are good at. It is also worth considering what subjects you do not enjoy. If you have an idea about what you want to do as a job, you should consider what qualifications maybe required for that role.
Choosing your GSCE’s and academic subjects
If you attend a mainstream school, you will be asked to choose which subjects you want to study at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11, ages 14-16). If appropriate, these will be the subjects they will take for GCSE exams.
You should be aware that some subjects are compulsory at GCSE level: English, maths and science. What’s more, all students have to do PE in years 10 and 11, but you can also take it as a GCSE option.
Some schools have other compulsory subjects, such as religious education in faith schools.
Other optional subjects vary from school to school, but you are likely to be able to study at least one course in each of four groups of subjects:
- Arts – including art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts)
- Design and technology
- Humanities – history and geography
- Modern foreign languages – French, German and Spanish
If you are not working at the levels necessary for GCSEs, ask your school about other accredited qualifications that might be available.
Other accredited qualifications
GCSE’s are not the only option for Years 10 and 11. Not all schools offer these options.
Other options include:
Entry-level qualifications
These are closely linked to the National Curriculum but also cover vocational and life skills. Assessment for these qualifications can be written, oral or practical.
Functional skills qualifications
These support the development of practical skills in English, maths and ICT. There is a strong focus on explanation and problem-solving, with a choice of assessment methods.
BTEC qualifications
These are vocational and work-related courses, designed to accommodate the needs of employers and allow students to progress to further and higher education or into employment.
If you have an EHC Plan
If you have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, your school will start to plan your next steps with you from year 9. This should help you:
- Create some clear goals that are ambitious
- Choose a next step that meets your interests and needs
- Explore your education and training choices on Skills for Careers
- Plan for what comes next
All reviews taking place from Year 9 onwards must include a focus on your options and choices.
Our My Life My Review workbook will help to your feelings and aspirations.
The Council for Disabled Children have produced a Year 9 Annual Review Guide that is worth reading through.
Where to find help and advice
Things you can do include:
- Attending an options evening
- Talking to a careers adviser
- Speaking to your teachers and older pupils
- Thinking about the future
You can also visit the following websites for more information:
GOV.UK website provides details of courses and qualifications for 14 to 19 year olds across the country.
BBC Bitesize have a range of information and helpful videos.
Call the National Careers Service helpline for information and advice about jobs, careers and training.
Year 10 – aged 14 and 15
Year 10 is when you start your GSCE study or other academic qualifications.
Access arrangements for exams
If you have specific special educational needs or disabilities, your school can made changes to the way that you sit exams. Schools are required to provide evidence of below average performance on set criteria if special arrangements are to be made. These can include:
- Extra time
- A reader
- A scribe
- The use of an exam reading pen, a word processor or assistive software (screen reader/voice recognition)
- Exam papers printed on coloured paper
- Supervised rest breaks
- A separate room to take the test in
These are called Access Arrangements.
If you have an EHC Plan
If you have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, your school will start to plan your next steps with you from year 9. This should help you:
- Create some clear goals that are ambitious
- Choose a next step that meets your interests and needs
- Explore your education and training choices on Skills for Careers
- Plan for what comes next
All reviews taking place from Year 9 onwards must include a focus on your options and choices.
Our My Life My Review workbook will help to your feelings and aspirations.
Where to find help and advice
Things you can do include:
- Attending an options evening
- Talking to a careers adviser
- Speaking to your teachers and older pupils
- Thinking about the future
You can also visit the following websites for more information:
GOV.UK website provides details of courses and qualifications for 14 to 19 year olds across the country.
Call the National Careers Service helpline for information and advice about jobs, careers and training.
Year 11 – aged 15 to 16
Year 11 is your final legal year in education. At the end of this school year you will have more options about what you want to do next.
Access arrangements for exams
If you have specific special educational needs or disabilities, your school can made changes to the way that you sit exams. Schools are required to provide evidence of below average performance on set criteria if special arrangements are to be made. These can include:
- Extra time
- A reader
- A scribe
- The use of an exam reading pen, a word processor or assistive software (screen reader/voice recognition)
- Exam papers printed on coloured paper
- Supervised rest breaks
- A separate room to take the test in
These are called Access Arrangements.
Understanding your results
GCSE results are given as grades – from 1 to 9. The BBC have produced a useful guide to help you – and your parents – understand how these relate to the older GSCE grades of U to A*.
Finding out about your exam results can be stressful. And you may be worried or unsure about what’s next. But whatever happens there are things you can do and ways to start feeling better.
However your results went, there’s a lot to think about and there are lots of options open to you. But you can get help with any decisions you need to make.
If you’re upset, disappointed, or worried about your future, it can really help to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling.
Take as much time as you need to think about what you’d like to do. There’s no need to rush into a decision straightaway.
Planning for post-16 options
When you finish year 11, there are a number of options. These include:
- A-Levels
- Apprenticeships
- Vocational qualifications
- T Levels
- Work or voluntary work route
You can legally leave school at the end of the school year in which they turn 16 (normally the end of year 11). However, you must be in some kind of education or training until the age of 18. You can combine this with paid or voluntary work.
If you have an EHC Plan
If you have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, your school will start to plan your next steps with you from year 9. This should help you:
- Create some clear goals that are ambitious
- Choose a next step that meets your interests and needs
- Explore your education and training choices on Skills for Careers
- Plan for what comes next
All reviews taking place from Year 9 onwards must include a focus on your options and choices.
Our My Life My Review workbook will help to your feelings and aspirations.
Where to find help and advice
Things you can do include:
- Attending an options evening
- Talking to a careers adviser
- Speaking to your teachers and older pupils
- Thinking about the future
You can also visit the following websites for more information:
GOV.UK website provides details of courses and qualifications for 14 to 19 year olds across the country.
Call the National Careers Service helpline for information and advice about jobs, careers and training.