Futures Day 2014Futures Day 2014

Which Way Next?Making Plans

What is Help You Choose?

•Website for young people.•Prospectus of courses, training,

apprenticeships and jobs in Norfolk.•Career Plan.•Help with choosing your options.•The website address is:

www.helpyouchoose.org

The Help You Choose Homepage:

For Post-16 Options• Click the 6th Form & College button.

Search courses

• Use the search options to find the specific courses you want.

Search courses

To find courses at the local sixth form:

Type “a subject” into the quick search box and click search Courses

Search courses

Click a course to find out more about it.

Help You Choose ‘Info & Advice’

If you’re unsure about what to do next or need more information on your options, make sure you visit the Info & Advice section of Help You Choose.

There you can find out more about:– Qualifications.

– Training options.– Careers.

– Jobseeking.– Apprenticeships

– Higher Education.

Info & Advice

Kudos

• Kudos is an online quiz that helps young people explore their career ideas.

• Kudos can be accessed by young people from the link on the homepage of help you choose.

Apprenticeships WebsiteStudents who are interested in applying for Apprenticeships should visit the Apprenticeships website which can be accessed from the Apprenticeship tab on HYC.

Apprenticeships WebsiteYoung people can register on the website for apprenticeship vacancies with employers. There is also a video clip to give you step by step instructions.

Jobs 4U

•The Jobs 4U website is a careers database for young people.

•The website holds details of thousands of careers including what qualifications are required, what the career involves as well as the salary you could expect to earn.

•You can access Jobs 4U from the homepage of help you choose.

What to do now?

• Look at Help You Choose and shortlist courses.

• Go to Open Days and Events (dates are on websites and on Help You Choose).

• Check if you can get any financial help while you study.

• Check when your application needs to be completed by.

• Think about a back up plan.• The vast majority of sixth forms or colleges

will require applications to be completed before Christmas.

Useful Websites

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) -

www.direct.gov.uk/emaTransport –

www.Norfolk.gov.uk/post16transportConnexions Direct –

www.connexions-direct.comCareersbox –

www.careersbox.co.uk

Support Documents:• Choices@16 Booklet.• 'What Next After Year 11? A Guide for

Parents and Carers’.• Open Days and Events.

Additional Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance:• Futures Day. • CIAG appointments for selected students.• Support with Personal Statements in PSHE.

If you have a question about the help you choose website you can contact the

helpdesk:0344 800 80 22 helpdesk@helpyouchoose.org

Or you can contact Mr. Edwards at school:

01508 491525James.Edwards@framinghamearl.net

‘Getting Your Place’

• Certain places are very competitive.

• One 6th form requires 7 B grades or above (including English, Maths and a Language).

• Mock exams are used as a basis for predicted grades and references.

• All qualifications count (even short courses taken).

• Any other relevant experience, leadership etc.

• Getting your personal statement right.

Personal Statement

Your statement should:• Discuss your choice of course.• Show real interest and enthusiasm for the course.• Show that you have the skills suited to FE/HE (eg self discipline, self motivation, hard work and determination, commitment and sociability)• Show that you are somebody who will benefit from the course and FE/HE.• Show yourself to be an interesting personality. Therefore DO NOT just describe yourself, your interests and experiences BUT show how they relate to the course and your suitability for sixth form/college.

Specific Advice

Specific Advice:DO NOT• Write long sentences.• Write a life story.• Set out to impress so you come across as arrogant.• Lie.• Rush the statement – it will take time. DO• Use clearly understood language.• Use font size of at least 12 pt.• Keep checking for spelling and grammatical errors.• Give plenty of examples to support what you say.• Research the course(s) as much as possible.

“Many people and many things can influence your decisions but the choices you make are yours only”