Applications & CVs
There is guidance for you relating to how to apply for jobs on the Parental Guidance website. Check out the following sections of the website, which can help with all aspects of job searching:
Moving to Post-16
There are things that you could be doing to help prepare for your next step, whatever that may be e.g. college or sixth form. This guide has been produced to help signpost you to some of these things. Here are some great ways to help you prepare for your next steps after Baines:
10 Useful things to do
- Arrange to have conversation with your teachers and career advisors in school, e.g by phone or email, if you are unsure of your next steps. (It is a good idea to have parents/carers involved in these conversations too).
- ‘Virtually visit’ your intended provision by looking at their website and downloading any prospectuses. See if there is any specific information given to new students e.g. a welcome booklet or blog. Some also have introductory videos on their websites or YouTube.
- Ask your intended provision for a site map so you can familiarise yourself with the layout of the building(s). There may be a map on their website.
- Look at the list of key staff and their roles on your intended provision’s website and see if you can find out who your main tutor will be. You could send them and email to introduce yourself.
- Ask your intended provision for an online ‘reading’ list i.e. subject specific material which will prepare you for the course.
- Do some research on your course to find out what your course will cover
- Find out which qualification and exam board your provision is using and ask for past papers or look on for them on the exam board websites.
- Look at self-study programmes online such as those which teach research and reading skills.
- Look at resources online which support young people with issues/worries if you are feeling anxious.
- Email your new provision with any questions you may have.
GCSE Revision
Many A-Level courses follow on directly from GCSE or even repeat some of the work, so make sure you don’t throw away your old exercise books as these will be useful for revision. Many of the same resources you will be used to using (GCSE Bitesize) will be useful for revision in preparation for A-Levels, as well as other websites such as Daydream Education and Duolingo.
Subject specific Y11-12 bridging units
Amazon are offering ‘Head start for A-Level’ guides in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These are useful resources which allow you to gain some insight and knowledge to help with the transition from GCSE to A-Level.
Past Papers & Resources
Each exam board website lists the post-16 subjects it provides qualifications for and will have past exam papers and teaching resources which are useful for revision or learning. AQA includes those from ‘Teachit’ too which may be useful. The main exam boards are OCR, AQA, WJEC and CCEA.
Subjects you haven’t studied before
Useful preparation for you will be to find out what the subject is and what exactly the course offered by your provider covers.
Practical subjects
There is some reading and research you can do to prepare, including watching online videos.
Maths & English
Whichever route you take post-16, if you do not pass your English Language or Maths at grade 4 or above, then you will have to re-take those subjects and keep studying them until your’re 18. Even if you do get grade 4 or above, you will still need to use English and Maths in the future. The follow websites show how English and Maths are used in various subjects and offers videos and exercises to help you practice.
Improving your skills
At school you were told what to do in each lesson and you moved from lesson to lesson when the bell rang. Post-16 you will find your time is less regimented with unsupervised study periods allocated. You are expected to use this study time wisely and independently. Some courses post-16, will require a great deal of study and others will be more hands-on and practical. However, regardless of which course(s) you take there will be some element of reading and research to do. The following resources may be helpful in preparing you for independent study.
- Note taking – Oxford Learning and Cornell Notes
- Reading & Research – Skills you need and Essential study skills
Social & Emotional support
Leaving school, teachers and friends may be a worry; any sort of change can be a challenge, more so this year with the coronavirus, meaning your usual social networks are disrupted. If you feel anxious, there is plenty of support available. Don’t forget that your school is still there to help, advise and support you too.