Learning Routes

There are different ways of putting qualifications together and in Northumberland subjects and qualifications fit together to make a learning route. Each route prepares you for a number of options throughout your education and beyond. There are some subjects that all young people have to take, whatever route they follow, and these are designed to help you enter the world of work. Learning routes are sometimes called learning pathways because following one route can be like following a path to a certain destination.

There will be 3 main learning routes in Years 10 and 11, then a 4th learning route after the age of 16 when you can apply for an Apprenticeship. At the moment you will come across courses courses that do not seem to fit into these learning routes, for example BTEC and CACHE Childcare courses. This is simply because it will take time for all the different qualifications available to fit into the learning routes. If you look at 'Other' Courses' you will see these qualifications, but just because they do not fit does not mean they are not high quality qualifications.

All routes are equally valuable and will lead you through the qualification levels. The important thing is to find the route that is right for you. It is often possible to combine elements of one learning route with another so some young people might take mostly GCSEs but also choose a 14-19 Diploma. However, choosing the right match depends first on what is right for you and second on what is available in your school or wider area. Learning routes are also designed flexibly so you can switch to a different route at the end of your current route.

Usually you will spend Years 10 and 11 in your own school where there will be lots of courses on offer for you. However, you may find that some of your courses are organised with other learning providers. For example, you may spend one day every week at another school or college. There may also be other opportunities on offer for you such as the Young Apprenticeship scheme. Picking different subjects now is good practice for Year 11 when you will have much bigger decisions to make about what and where you learn.

You will receive help with your choices at school from your teachers and you can find out more at options evenings. You can also organise an appointment with your Connexions Personal Adviser if you would like to talk things through on your own or with your parents. Connexions PAs can also help you if you are not in school, just contact your local Connexions centre. Check out the 'links' tab if you want to do some more research on your own; the weblinks take you to specific pages of established websites designed to help young people.

In Years 10 and 11 there is a mixture of courses that you have to take (compulsory subjects) and courses that you can choose to take (optional subjects). This is to make sure that you have an element of choice over what you study so you can pick things you want to do, but also that you can't cut yourself off from important subjects and skills that you will need in later life. Compulsory subjects often include English, Maths, Science, Functional Skills and Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) - otherwise known as employability skills.

Through each learning route you will achieve a number of different qualifications, for instance GCSEs and/or 14-19 Diploma qualifications or lots of smaller qualifications from a Foundation Learning (FL) route. You may have both FL and GCSE qualifications, or perhaps an NVQ from a Young Apprenticeship. All qualifications belong to different 'levels' which means if two qualifications have different names but are on the same level they are of the same value. It is important to understand qualification levels.

By grouping all qualifications in levels people can understand how much a qualification is worth and what you need to achieve to move up to the next level. There are nine qualification levels but you will normally only take courses up to level 3 between the ages of 14-19. As an example you will normally need to reach level 2 (eg, 5 GCSEs grades A*-C) to go on to take level 3 qualifications (eg, A levels, Advanced Diploma or Apprenticeship). Equally you would normally need to be at level 1 to take GCSEs.

One way of making sense of of the many qualifications available is to look at what they teach you and how much they relate to the world of work. Academic/General qualifications are broad areas of study showing you have achieved a certain educational standard (eg, GCSE, A Level, HE degree). Applied/Vocational/Work Ready qualifications involve a mix of classroom and practical experience (BTEC, NVQ and others). Finally, Work based/Occupational qualifications are focused on specific knowledge and skills needed to do a job.

The Young Apprenticeship Programme is a work-related programme which gives young people the opportunity to spend up to 2 days per week on a work placement. You would study towards a level 2 qualification and gain lots of experience and skills connected with an area of work eg, Sports Management, Business and Administration or Hospitality to name just three. However, you will need to check out YAs carefully to see what is available in your area and - if they are - whether you would be eligible to apply for one.

The Young Apprenticeship Programme is a work-related programme which gives young people the opportunity to spend up to 2 days per week on a work placement. You would study towards a level 2 qualification and gain lots of experience and skills connected with an area of work eg, Sports Management, Business and Administration or Hospitality to name just three. However, you will need to check out YAs carefully to see what is available in your area and - if they are - whether you would be eligible to apply for one.

Seek help from the people you know and trust, talk to Connexions and do your research. There is lots of information on My Steps, and lots of links taking you to useful sites. By starting to think about things early you will not feel rushed into making your decisions and you will be as confident as you can be that the route you have chosen is the right one.