Post-16 Options by L Grenaghan

16 Personalities Quiz

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

When you are young it's important to reflect on who you are at least every 6 months because you are changing all the time. Use this quiz to help you do this. You should always spend time reflecting on you are, what you like and don't like before you start any careers research. This helps you to match yourself to the best opportunity for you.

Read all about your personality type

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Now you know what personality type you are, make sure you read the full in-depth summary. Do you agree? If not maybe you didn't honestly answer the questions in the quiz and need to revisit.

Have a career in mind already?

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

If you know what career you want, research how to get in to it. Also contact Miss Grenaghan, the Careers Adviser. Ask yourself if you will enjoy the journey of becoming what it is you're aiming for. If you don't think you will, then maybe this isn't the right career for you.

Not sure what career?

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You're not alone, the majority of 16 years old haven't decided on a career yet. In this situation you pursue what you know you will enjoy. Successful people love what they do and the reason they are successful is because they feel motivated. Make sure you study subjects you love. Visit websites for the providers you are interested in and explore subjects. Below are links to subjects pages for other popular/local providers judged Outstanding or Good by Ofsted.

Bury College

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Holy Cross

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Alder Grange Sixth Form

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Haslingden High Sixth Form

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A Levels

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If you've enjoyed school and studying GCSEs, you will most likely enjoy A Levels. For certain careers like Doctor, Vet, Dentist you must study A Levels.

Apprenticeships

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

This is the most difficult route to take post-16 because you have to find an employer. You also need to feel 'work ready' because you'll suddenly go from having 15 weeks holiday a year to just 4 weeks! This route also involves applying for jobs, sending out your CV and attending job interviews while juggling your GCSE revision and exams. However, you get paid a wage and can still progress to university where your employer will most likely pay for your degree tuition fees!

Vocational

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

The most common vocational courses are BTECs and T Levels. These are good if you have a general idea of what career area you are aiming for but you still want to be a full time student while gaining lots of work experience. You can still progress to university if you want to, but you'll develop lots of employability skills if you decide to enter the world of work instead.

T Levels

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T Levels are in subject areas where there are currently skills shortages in the UK. This means that there will be plenty of well paid job opportunities at the end of your studies, however, T Levels will still progress you onto university if this is what you want to do. You also do a lot of work experience on a T Level!

Armed Forces

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

Get advice from Miss Grenaghan if you are thinking of this route. Your first step is to visit a recruitment office, and if you go unprepared for the questions they ask, you will be turned away and told to do more research before approaching them again. 16 is also very young to join, watch this balanced argument to help you reflect on whether 16 is the right age for you to join.

Post-16 Providers

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

Every college, sixth form and training provider (like a college but they just teach apprentices) is different. It's your job to work out which one you like best. Firstly consider the ones closest to where you live because it makes life easier if you can walk or take a short bus ride every day. Everyone is different and impressed by different things, so don't be guided by friends opinions, you should make up your own mind.

Your local providers

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

There are 3 providers within a 5 mile radius of All Saints and these are Haslingden High Sixth Form, Aldergrange Sixth Form and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammer School Sixth Form. If you are looking for a Catholic college, then Holy Cross in Bury is a great option.

Further afield

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

To find other places further afield use this government website. Put in your post code and how many miles you're willing to travel, and then make sure you click 16-18 so you just get colleges/sixth forms.

How to apply online (3.5 mins)

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Here is a video on how you apply online at Bury College. Other college/sixthform/training providers will be similar. You should always allow yourself at least one hour to complete an online application form. You might find it easier to type out answers in a word document and then paste into the online form. If you are struggling make sure you see Miss Grenaghan who can help.

Feeling confused?

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

This is perfectly normal and all part of getting well informed. Don't let the confused feeling overwhelm you, just stay positive, keep exploring, keep asking questions, make sure you attend tasterdays or new student days when offered to you. Most young people naturally work out what they want to do by GCSE results day.

Remember you don't have to make a decision until GCSE results day!

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

Remind yourself that you won't need to make a decision until GCSE results day, so why force yourself into a decision any earlier if you're not ready! The new student days you attend in July helps you work out what is right for you. You can accept all your offers if you're unsure, and leave your final decision until GCSE results day.

Talk to someone

lhg2 — 2022-02-21 15:18:05 UTC

If that confused feeling is overwhelming you, make sure you ask for help by talking to someone. Talk to a parent, teacher or other responsible adult. Contact Miss Grenaghan, the Careers Adviser, and she can chat to you one to one. You can also ring the National Careers Service helpline on 0800 100 900.

Haslingden High Sixth Form (30 secs)

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Holy Cross Sixth Form College (4.5mins)

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Accrington and Rossendale College

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Making applications

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Apply for every option that interests you. You will need to do an online application form and this will be on the college/sixthform/training provider website. Applying and attending interviews gives you the detailed knowledge and understanding you need to make a well informed choice. Only after attending all your interviews will you be in a good position to start deciding what next step is best for you. You can easily cancel your application once you've attended interviews if you realise that the college/course isn't for you. Also check application deadlines, some can be as early as mid October. Aim to have completed all your applications before the end of November in Y11. This allows time to rethink should you need to.

Choose what's right for you

lhg2 — 2023-09-04 10:28:44 UTC

Post 16 Options Explained

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Writing a Personal Statement

lhg2 — 2025-09-05 14:27:27 UTC

Some colleges and sixth form ask you to include a Personal Statement with your application, and this is what most young people struggle with. Click on the image above to give you guidance on what to include.

Bury College (1.5 mins)

lhg2 — 2025-09-08 10:01:35 UTC

Full time college or sixth form interviews

lhg2 — 2025-09-08 10:10:11 UTC

Once you've applied to a college or sixth form you'll be invited to interview. This is a great chance to practice your interviewing skills for future jobs so make sure you use this Interview Prep Sheet to help you prepare for interview. If you're really nervous talk to Miss Grenaghan, she can help and put your mind at ease!

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Myerscough College (10 mins)

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Hopwood Hall College (5 mins)

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Predicted Grades

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When you do your online application, you will be asked to give your predicted GCSE grades. You don't need to wait for official school predicted grades, you can give your target grades from your last school report. If these are lower than the grades you need for the course you're applying to, you may want to wait until you have your predicted grades to help you decide if you are being realistic or not in applying for the course. If you're unsure speak to Miss Grenaghan or Mr Panaro.

Free tasters

lhg2 — 2025-09-15 11:40:29 UTC

If you'd like to try out a course by attending fun late afternoon early evening session, then Burnley College are offering free tasters in all their subjects. Even if you don't plan to go to Burnley College, this can be a great way to find out if you really like a subject area or not.

Apprenticeship Interviews

lhg2 — 2025-10-13 09:58:22 UTC

Apprenticeship interviews are very competitive as this will be with an employer who will interview lots of other young people on the same day for just one apprenticeship. This is very different to full time college interviews where the college generally makes room for anyone who wants to study there. Preparation is key. Use the links below to help you get better prepared for competitive interviews.

Top Tips (5 min video)

lhg2 — 2025-10-13 10:37:47 UTC