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Opportunities for adult learners in Ealing

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Learn Ealing | Courses and workshops for adults, parents and families.

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Health and wellbeing is a precious thing to maintain in our hectic and fast-paced lives. Invest in yours now by exploring our range of courses.

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Implications of GCSEs on the future - CareerPilot

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Implications of GCSEs on the future - CareerPilot

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How your GCSE grades could affect your choices at 16

How GCSEs are assessed and graded

GCSEs are graded 1-9 (9 is the highest). Grade 4 is accepted as a pass for most Level 3 college courses and a 5 is regarded as a strong pass.

What are the most important GCSE subjects?

Maths and English are the most important subjects as they are a requirement for most courses, apprenticeships, jobs and university degrees. You will usually need at least a grade 4 and above in Maths and English before you can get into these. With a grade 4 and above in Maths and English you will have a much greater number of opportunities open to you.

Some sixth forms and most colleges offer a range of Maths and English courses for students who need to retake one or both of these subjects after 16.

Whether you go into an apprenticeship, sixth form or college you will need to continue to study Maths and English alongside what else you are doing until you are 18 or achieve a grade 4.

How GCSE grades can affect what qualifications you can do at 16

You may need to have a certain number of GCSEs at a specific grade to apply to sixth form and this can vary from school to school depending on what courses they offer.

Sixth forms that offer academic courses such as A levels may require specific grades and these vary. For instance they may require 5 GCSEs grade 6 and above and at least grade 6 and above in the subject you want to study at A level.

These days, many sixth form and sixth form colleges offer a range of different pathways that include more practical vocational courses alongside A level - these may require lower entry requirements, for example

4 GCSEs grade 5 and above for a combined programme of A level and vocational subjects such as BTEC or Cambridge Technicals

4 GCSE grade 4 for practical and vocational subjects such as BTEC or Cambridge Technicals.

Check out which sixth forms are near you and find out what they are offering and their entry requirements.

What can you do if you're expecting mainly GCSE grades below grade 4?

The good news is that there are lots of choices available for you, even if you might struggle to get grade 4s in your GCSEs. There are practical and vocational courses offered by FE colleges which are offered at all levels - no matter what grades you start with. For instance there are Level 1 qualifications which may not have any specific GCSE requirements through to Level 2 qualifications that may require 4 GCSEs at grade 3 and above. You will have to do Maths and English at the right level for you alongside your course until you gain a grade 4 in the subject.

Find out which FE colleges are nea r where you live.

Find out more about practical and vocational qualifications here.

Why getting your GCSEs can help you earn more money

Government research shows that if you get 5 GCSEs grade 4 - 9 including English and Maths you will earn over £80,000 more in your life time than someone who hasn't.

Employers want people with good Maths and English GCSEs.

The government has made it a requirement that a young person who hasn't yet achieved a grade 4 (old grade C) or above in Maths and English will need to continue to do them, as part of whatever course or training they do, until they are 18.

Higher GCSE grades may lead to better paid and advanced apprenticeships.

The level of apprenticeship you start at 16 years old, will depend largely on your GCSE grades especially in Maths and English.

If you have 4 GCSEs grade 4 and above, including Maths and English, you might be able to start on a Level 3 Advanced apprenticeship, compared to a Level 1 or 2 Intermediate apprenticeship if you do not. However, for some apprenticeships everybody has to start on a Level 2 Intermediate apprenticeship to build up their knowledge and skills in that job area.

The salaries for Level 3/advanced apprenticeships tend to be higher than intermediate Level 1/ 2 apprenticeships.

Find out more about apprenticeships.

Start to explore information and get an idea of your future choices.

What do you think about Careerpilot?

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Complete the Careerpilot survey - it takes 4-5 minutes!

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GCSEs are graded 1-9 (9 is the highest). Grade 4 is accepted as a pass for most Level 3 college courses and a 5 is regarded as a strong pass. Maths and English are the most important subjects as they are a requirement for most courses, apprenticeships, jobs and university degrees.

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Parent and Carers' Pack - Amazing Apprenticeships

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Parent and Carers' Pack - Amazing Apprenticeships

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October 2023 Version

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Helping adults progress to higher level study - LifePilot

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Helping adults progress to higher level study - LifePilot

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Lifepilot : Helping adults into higher level study

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How to help your teen choose their school subjects: A checklist for parents

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How to help your teen choose their school subjects: A checklist for parents

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How to help your teen choose their school subjects: A checklist for parents

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Our top advice to help your child choose their exam subjects.

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Tell us whether you accept cookies

We use cookies to collect information about how you use this website. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve this website. We also share some of this information with our social media, advertising and analytics partners.

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We use cookies to collect information about how you use this website. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve this website. We also share some of this information with our social media, advertising and analytics partners.

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Most Popular Questions

Will extra-curricular activities enhance my child's application?

There's a myth that Oxford is looking for the most well-rounded applicants, with a long list of varied extra-curricular activities. In fact, extra-curricular activities are only helpful in so far as they demonstrate the selection criteria for your child's chosen course.

Your child can find more advice on writing their personal statement on our UCAS application page.

Is there a minimum GCSE requirement?

There is no minimum GCSE requirement for any of our courses. Higher grades at GCSE can help to make an application more competitive, but they are just one aspect that we look at, and where possible they will be considered in context.

Find further advice on GCSE consideration.

Does Oxford accept home educated students?

Yes, Oxford University welcomes applications from home educated students. Your child will still need to meet our entrance requirements for their application to be considered, and so would need to be taking A-levels or another accepted equivalent.

Find further advice for home educated applicants.

Does Oxford prefer students to take four A-levels?

Not necessarily; three A-levels is absolutely sufficient to make a competitive application.

A candidate who has had time to read around their chosen subject(s) will generally be more appealing than a candidate who may have taken more subjects, but who is not able to discuss their interests with any enthusiasm or in any depth.

Find further advice on taking additional A-levels.

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When it comes to deciding what to do after school, everyone benefits from the support of the family and friends who know them best. Having said that, it's not always easy to know how to help, so we want to make sure you have to hand the information you might need.

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The Student's Careers Opportunities  Hub

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The Student's Careers Opportunities  Hub

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A newly released report on job market information and what routes each industry provides after graduation.

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27 pages of apprenticeship opportunities for current Year 13 students.

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Financial information and support for Year 13 students preparing for their next steps

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There are lots of fantastic free online work experience opportunities for people of all ages on Springpod.

The platform also offers free subject spotlights which have been created by academics who are experts in their field of work.

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Click on any of the links to get more information about a qualification.

When you are choosing your post 16 options find out what qualifications are on offer in school, at your local college and through training in work.

Always get advice on the best qualification to suit you and your future plans. Talk to your parents, teachers, tutors or a careers adviser.

You can plan out a possible route through the different qualification levels by clicking on the 'choice' buttons. Your choices will be saved in Career Tools.

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Click on any of the links to get more information about a qualification. When you are choosing your post 16 options find out what qualifications are on offer in school, at your local college and through training in work. Always get advice on the best qualification to suit you and your future plans.

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Adult Learners' Guide to University - Office for Students

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Adult Learners' Guide to University - Office for Students

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The Forage offers free online work simulations for career paths such as Law and Accounting. They have been approved by companies such as JP Morgan and Deloitte. They also offer specialist simulations, such as Omnichannel Marketing by Lululemon.

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Find the perfect simulation to showcase your knowledge & get noticed by recruiters from top companies.

Explore Simulations

Discover the right job simulation for you

Each simulation is free and you can complete it in your own time.

Can't find what you're looking for?

Find out which job simulation to start with on Forage.

Accessible experience from top companies

Job simulations replicate work at top companies, and connect students to the companies themselves. In only 5-6 hours, learn relevant tools and skills necessary to complete tasks that replicate an employee's work day.

No applications or experience required

Learn highly relevant skills in your own time, at your own pace

Your talent matters more than your connections

Showcase your skills to the right people

Job simulations contain real industry tasks, to develop transferable skills for workplace readiness. You don't just learn new skills, you're able to showcase your knowledge & get noticed by recruiters from top companies.

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Explore all Free Job Simulations - Forage.

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Whether you're applying for a job, a scholarship or to get into your dream university course, writing a covering letter and CV is a real art.
We've asked our experts to give us their top tips on how to put together a successful application.

Video Transcript Video Transcript

"If you were writing a cover letter, the main thing I would say is it needs to be exciting enough to compel the reader to want to read more about you. So, if it's applying for a job, they'll need to want to look at your CV, having read your cover letter."

"Two key things to consider in that personal statement is why should we choose you as a student, and why do you want to study this course? So, you really need to think about your motivation. What's inspired you to want to study this course?"

"It's really easy on a cover letter or a CV to say, 'I've got excellent communication skills,' or, 'I'm a great team player.' But you have to back that up with real experience that you've got. So, it could be, 'I've got great communication skills, as evidenced by my time in the debating team,' or, 'I'm a great team player, as evidenced by my work experience or my part-time job.'"

"Employers want to see somebody who's unique, somebody who's different, so they want to see that come out either on paper in your CV or in an interview."

"Things like pink CVs or graphics on your CVs don't always go down well with employers, so think about the market that you're applying to. If you're applying to a prestigious law firm, for example, a pink CV probably is gonna fall flat."

"It needs to be short, snappy and sweet, because they might be reading hundreds of these things."

"The days of the generic CV are over. You can't write your CV, expect to hand it into 100 different jobs and expect that to work. You might get lucky, but the reality is now that employers are more demanding. So, yes, 75% of your CV will stay the same, it'll be the education, work experience, your personal details. But the other 25%, which might be something like a personal profile, it might be a skills profile, it might be you changing, maybe, the subjects you've studied in school or what you learned within that, are the absolutely essential parts to making an effective CV. You need to speak to that employer and explain to them why you are ideal. And if you put a generic CV, it's very hard to do that. Take the time to understand what the employer needs, then take the time to understand how you meet those skills, and you'll be on to a winner."

CVs and applications: Top tips

Make sure your covering letter is short and snappy - they will be reading hundreds of them, so if something's not necessary, don't include it

A good cover letter will make the reader want to know more about you. It is, first and foremost, a good piece of writing that tells your story

Employers want someone who's different, with distinctive skills

But different doesn't always mean 'quirky'! Think of the industry you want to work in: if you're applying to work at a prestigious law firm, a pink CV might not go down well!

Generic CVs don't work: they need to be tailored to the job you're applying for

While 75% of your CV (such as your personal details, education and work experience) will remain the same, the other 25% (for example: a personal statement, a skills profile or the more granular details about what you studied for a certain subject) needs to be relevant to that job

Look at the job description and what the employer is looking for, and match that with your experience

Give concrete examples. It's easy to claim you've got excellent communication skills, but you need to back it up with evidence. Did you volunteer at a help line, or work in customer service? Or were you part of a debating team? Say it!

If you're applying for a place at uni, they will want to know: why should we choose you and why do you want to study this course?

If you're invited for an interview, your prospective tutors might ask you questions about books, films or anything else you may have mentioned in your personal statement - so don't lie, and do your research!

Of course, it goes without saying: spellcheck your application and make sure your grammar is impeccable.

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How do I write a great CV and covering letter?

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Writing a covering letter and CV is a real art. Here are our top tips on how to stand out when you apply for a job, apprenticeship or to get into university.

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Networking tips | Building confidence | The Prince's Trust

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Build your confidence and enhance your networking skills to create valuable connections and opportunities.

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What are A-levels like? Ups, downs and resits - BBC Bitesize

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What are A-levels like? Ups, downs and resits - BBC Bitesize

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"College for me was interesting. I was doing two A-levels and then a BTEC and then two resits as well, so I had a lot going on."

"Because I'd found GCSEs quite easy, I thought A-levels were going to be just as easy. I got my results, I got a D, Cs and two Bs as well."

"GCSEs, I just walked in there and I was alright. I already knew that I'd done well so I just got the paper and I just walked out, but my A-level ones, I had to resit nearly all of my exams and I basically had to do two years of sixth form in one year."

"On results day, I had a complete panic. I opened that envelope and was like, 'That's it, my life is over. I'm never going to be a nurse, I'm never going to go to university.' And I just started applying for all these jobs that I would never actually want to do, but in my head, that was all that was left now, university was completely out the window. But I think in reality if I'd have just kept calm and looked at my options, it wouldn't have seemed quite as bad as it did."

"It does involve a lot of independent study as you're not being taught the course and the curriculum anymore, so you do have to go over things yourself a lot of the time and factor that in."

"I think it's about being driven to want to go and to want to succeed which is the most important thing."

"These questions that come up in the previous exams, they come up every year. They might change one or two words. So I used to just overlook them and maybe do one past exam paper and that was it. But I realised, after speaking to some of the students that got the As, they said that they'd done every single past paper and they'd done the papers from the previous specification."

"I set myself out a revision timetable, I made time to go and see some of my teachers with the subjects that I was struggling with, I made flashcards, I just put in all the effort that I should have done the first time around."

"Once that was done, in the second year I could focus on what I wanted to and I ended up getting really good results. I was proud of myself in the sense that I managed to juggle all of that."

"Eventually, in my second year, I managed to pull that D up to an A*."

"If you are in a similar situation where you're really struggling to make that leap, I would recommend just telling teachers because if they don't know then they can't help you. The second time around, when I was getting that extra support, it made a massive difference."

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What are A-levels like? Ups, downs and resits

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The Mind Set coaches talk about their experience of taking A levels and the differences with GCSEs.

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Answering interview questions: context, action, result (CAR)

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Answering interview questions: context, action, result (CAR)

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How to use the CAR strategy in interviews

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Is University Right For My Child? - Youth Employment UK

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Is University Right For My Child? - Youth Employment UK

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Wondering if university is the right choice for your child? Here are a few things to consider to when thinking about their future next steps...

If your child is thinking about going to university soon, you might also be thinking about exactly the same thing. But what do you do if you're not sure if university is the right choice for them?

It's not a route for everyone and you can build great careers with alternative pathways, but it's also a great experience to have. Here are a few things for both you and your child to consider when planning what comes next.

Degrees aren't the be all and end all

While degrees are certainly a way to gain further knowledge in a topic you're passionate about, they aren't always necessary for your child's future. Unless they have a particular career in mind like nursing or law (something that requires expert and specific knowledge), there are other routes into industries like entry level roles and apprenticeships (which can lead to a degree but with work experience too).

They'll all have a different structure, so asking 'how do I learn best?' and 'how will this type of learning help me?' is a good place to start. You can also attend university open days and speak to people who have and have not been to university.

What's in it for them?

Being informed of the options can help the answer to the 'is university right for me?' question seem a bit clearer. Having your child consider the pros and cons of each option, including university can help reveal the right choice.

For example, there's sometimes greater earning potential with a university degree and they'll get to study something they love. They'll also get to meet like minded people and gain life experience if they choose to move away from home.

However, having a university degree doesn't always guarantee they'll get a graduate job straight out of school (it's not always enough alone as skills and experience are highly valued) and they'll have to pay back student debt (when they reach a specific earning threshold).

Whether the pros or the cons weigh more will differ from person to person.

What are their university options?

Going to university is a big transition and there's a lot to consider. Knowing what the right thing to do is can require asking yourself and your child about what's to come and how to prepare. For example:

How will they pay for university? Can they get a student loan and will it cover most of the costs?

Will they live at university or commute from home? The key thing here is do they feel they can live away from home - can they cook for themselves and clean? Will they miss home too much?

Would an online degree course or a degree apprenticeship be better?

Do they need to start with a foundation year or Higher National Diploma or Certificate before a bachelor degree? They can build course knowledge before taking on a more intensive course.

One of the big questions is: are they ready? They'll likely know, but if not, a gap year could be a good way to decide later if it's still what they want to do.

What if it's the wrong choice?

University isn't for everyone. So what happens if your child does go to university and they then decide they've made the wrong decision.

If it's the subject that's the problem, they don't have to quit university. Changing course is an option. The earlier it happens, the easier it will be as they'll need to catch up on the work they've missed. It's better to change course as soon as they know it's not right for them than regret it half way through.

And what if it's university that's the problem? Can they change their mind and do something else that isn't university? Of course - it's never too late! Sometimes experience is one of the best ways to decide if something is right or not. Their university will support them with the necessary steps.

Consider why you're asking this question

You might be asking this question because your child is considering university or wants to go, and you're just not sure. If that's the case, having a conversation is the best way forward.

Why do they want to go to university so much? Is it because they want the experience (keep in mind that it's not just about partying) or can't wait to study something they're passionate about, or is it just because their friends are doing it and they don't want to get left behind? If it's the latter, it might not be the best choice and it's important to help them get their priorities figured out.

If this isn't the case and you think university is the right choice, but they're not so sure, consider why you think this. You may be right and helping them decide for themselves by looking at the options will help. But they're likely to know themselves the best, and if they don't want to go, then that's their decision for their future.

Do you and/or your child think a university degree means success, and it's the only way to get ahead? It's not true and looking at the bigger picture will help you decide whether it is the right option for them and their needs or not.
Looking at the parent section on the UCAS website is a great place for parents like you to find out everything you need to know about university for your child.

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Wondering if university is the right choice for your child? Here are a few things to consider to when thinking about their future next steps...

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Through the podcast Rachel and guests offer a fun and informative space for listeners to:

Explore which careers are available today

Showcase the experiences of interesting and diverse role models

Provide real-time insights into how the world of work is changing

Each episode Rachel speaks to a diverse mix of parents, bringing their burning questions to expert speakers from the careers world. Together they uncover practical solutions and informative answers, to help you and your child make informed decisions on those all important next steps.

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The Parent Perspective Podcast - Amazing Apprenticeships

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An exciting new podcast created to help parents and carers support their children in making more informed career decisions.

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Considering the Options - Conversation Points

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Considering the Options - Conversation Points

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UCAS Parent, Guardian and Carer Guide 2024

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UCAS Parent, Guardian and Carer Guide 2024

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Students will usually make their choices in Y9 (some schools they make these choices in Y8) and include which GCSEs or vocational subjects your child will do and also, where your child could choose to study - as depending on where you live, there maybe the option to go to a University Technical College or school that specialises in vocational subjects at 14.

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Equivalent to 3 A levels

T Levels are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent in size to 3 A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.

A 45-day Industry Placement

Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.

80% Classroom, 20% Work

T Level students spend 80% of the course in their learning environment, gaining the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where they put these skills into action.

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Parent and Carer Webinar Series - Queen Mary University of London

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Parent and Carer Webinar Series - Queen Mary University of London

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Supporting your child through Clearing and Results Day - Tuesday 26 July, 6-7pm (BST)

Supporting your child through Clearing and Results Day

Tuesday 26 July 2022, 6-7pm (BST)

As results day looms, learn what you can do to support your child on results day including how Clearing works if they need to find a new university place.

Covering aspects like:

This webinar will cover the key questions you may have about Clearing.

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Supporting your child through Clearing and Results Day - Tuesday 26 July, 6-7pm (BST) Tuesday 26 July 2022, 6-7pm (BST) As results day looms, learn what you can do to support your child on results day including how Clearing works if they need to find a new university place.

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University of Cambridge - Supporting a Candidate Webinar 

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University of Cambridge - Supporting a Candidate Webinar 

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Parents, Carers and Guardians Webinar : Study With Us - Aberystwyth University

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Parents, Carers and Guardians Webinar : Study With Us - Aberystwyth University

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Parents' Webinar : Study With Us , Aberystwyth University

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Skip navigation & go straight to the main content.

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Numeracy for Work Video Playlist - The Numeracy Challenge

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Numeracy for Work Video Playlist - The Numeracy Challenge

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🤓Find out how feeling confident & comfortable with our number skills can help us get into work, or progress in the careers we have. 👨🏽‍💻

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Parents and Carers' Guide To Making Decisions For A-Levels - Newcastle University

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Parents and Carers' Guide To Making Decisions For A-Levels - Newcastle University

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Parents' Guide To Making Decisions For A-Levels

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This leaflet offers guidance to Year 10 and Year 11 students (or equivalent) who are considering university and want advice on which subjects to study at sixth form or college.

Create once. Share everywhere.

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This leaflet offers guidance to Year 10 and Year 11 students (or equivalent) who are considering university and want advice on which subjects to study at sixth form or college.

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A site which recommends relevant A-Level qualifications for specific degree routes

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Click on a degree below to find out what subjects you may need to study at school or college.

This is not an exhaustive list of degrees and many universities will offer more options, such as joint honours, which means studying two subjects as one degree.

Informed Choices is only a guide, so please check individual universities' websites for detailed requirements. Before starting, you should read our terms of use.

More information on degree courses and universities can be found on the UCAS website.

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Click on a degree below to find out what subjects you may need to study at school or college. This is not an exhaustive list of degrees and many universities will offer more options, such as joint honours, which means studying two subjects as one degree.

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This is a FREE offering from Capital Tuition Group! This is available for all parents/guardians who have children preparing for their GCSEs.

You can book onto a FREE Parent seminar, a 1 hour LIVE session led by an Education Specialist. The seminar is designed to cover topics such as:
- Revision techniques
- Scheduling and timetables
-Dealing with exam anxiety
- Q&A for any specific questions
Saturday 17th February 2024
10:30am
Online

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This is a FREE offering from Capital Tuition Group! This is available for all parents/guardians who have children preparing for their GCSEs. You can book onto a FREE Parent seminar, a 1 hour LIVE session led by an Education Specialist.