Employment and training

When you start a new education or training programme when you are 19 or over you may have to pay tuition fees, however, you may not have to pay them if:

• You are aged 19-25 and you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• You are taking GCSE maths or GCSE English and do not already hold a pass at Grade A*-C or Grade 9-4.
• You are aged 19-23 and it is your first Level 2 or Level 3 course ( there is more information on what different qualification levels mean on the government’s website.)

You may also be able to get support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund to help with education-related costs if either:

• You are carrying on a course you started when you were 16-18 years old
• You have an EHCP

After Year 11 you can choose to apply for post-16 education at any school or college of your choice. This can be the sixth form of a mainstream school, a college or a special school.

School

Some schools have sixth forms so students can stay on for years 12 and 13 (usually up to age 18). Different schools will offer different courses, you can find out a lot of the information you will want to know on the school website, including the dates of open days when you can go and look round.

Below are the schools in Stoke-on-Trent with sixth forms:

• Haywood Academy
• St Joseph's College
• St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy
• St Thomas More Catholic Academy

Colleges

These colleges offer a wide variety of courses. Their websites will give information about the different courses available and will also give information about how they can support your needs.

• Buxton and Leek College
• City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College
• Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group
• Reaseheath College
• Stoke-on-Trent College

Specialist Post-16 Providers

Specialist SEND colleges in Stoke-on-Trent are:

• Abbey Hill College (abbeyhillschool.co.uk)
• Newfriars College
• Pinc College - Post 16 SEND Creative Study
• Regent College
• Strathmore College

Specialist training providers

• Landau Training

You can find the full list of education providers for students over 16  by visiting Local Offer’s organisations directory.

If you don’t pass Maths and English GCSE at grade 4 or above while you are at school, you will be expected to continue studying them, whether you choose to go to college or to start an apprenticeship.

If you have SEND you might be asked to study towards functional skills or another qualification instead of GCSEs if these would be a better option for you.

Vocational training providers offer work-based training that helps you develop the skills you need for a particular job or trade. They may also offer Functional Skills courses. Students will need to contact them to see what training is available and for an application form.

Local training providers:

• E.Quality Training
• Martec Training
• Mencap Training Academy/DFN Project Search supported internship programme
• Nacro Longton Education Centre
• Nova Training
• Pathway SkillsZone Burslem

Local specialist training providers

• Landau Training and Enterprise

Apprenticeships are an opportunity to continue with your learning and get nationally recognised qualifications, whilst gaining real employment experience in a paid role.

People sometimes think that apprenticeships are just in construction trades or business administration - both of which can lead to great careers - but what is not so well known is just how many industries, from animal care to engineering, are now offering apprenticeships.

To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:

• Age 16 or over
• living in England
• not in full-time education

• You will learn while you earn – you will get paid a wage and holiday pay.
• You will gain skills and experience in a real working environment
• You will work alongside experienced staff
• You will have time for study and training alongside working your job.

Different roles and employers will have different entry requirements.

Any entry requirements will be clearly explained in the advert.

An apprentice works at least 30 hours each week and has at least 20 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

You will receive on the job training from your manager and other colleagues. Where it is possible, as well as your manager you should have a mentor. Your mentor should be a colleague who you can talk to in confidence about your apprenticeship. You will also be supported by your training provider.

Yes. At least 20% (the same as one day per week) of your normal working hours will be for studying or training.

There are a range of websites and services that can help you to find and apply for a suitable apprenticeship:

• Stoke-on-Trent Young People’s Career Advice Service – information about a range of local apprenticeships
• Stoke-on-Trent College - apprenticeship vacancies at a local further education college
• Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (formerly Newcastle under Lyme College) - apprenticeship vacancies at a local further education college
• National Apprenticeships  - on this site you can search for apprenticeships, and set up an account that will alert you when apprenticeships matching your requirements are advertised
• National Careers Service  - provides a range of information available online and by telephone for young people, including a section on apprenticeships.
• Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System - information about apprenticeships in health and care services.

Yes. You will be paid the national minimum wage. In the first year you will receive the Apprentice national minimum wage which is £6.40 per hour. After you have completed the first year of your apprenticeship you will earn the correct national minimum wage for your age.

• Under 18 years - £6.40 per hour
• 18-20 years: £8.60 per hour
• Over 21 years: £11.44 per hour

Courses last between 1 and 5 years depending on the level.

• Intermediate = Level 2 = GCSE equivalent
• Advanced = Level 3 = A level equivalent
• Higher = Levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 = Foundation degree and above equivalent
• Degree = Level 6 and 7 = Bachelor’s or master’s degree

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/

You can contact the Apprenticeship helpline:

Email: nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk
Telephone: 0800 015 0400
8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

It is the law that universities must do their best to support students with SEND. They must make changes known as ‘reasonable adjustments’ to help all students to access a university education.

Some reasonable adjustments they might make include;

• Arranging a support worked who can help you organise your studies
• Arrange specialist equipment you need
• Allowing extra time to finish exams or coursework

You can find out more about reasonable adjustments by visiting these websites:

• Disabled Students | Advice and Financial Support | UCAS
• Adjustments for disabled students and apprentices | Disability Rights UK

All university students can apply for student finance, this is a loan to cover the cost of tuition fees and to help with your living expenses. You will pay this back over time after you have graduated and got a job.

Students with a disability may also be entitles to Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA). This is worth up to £26,948 a year and is to pay for any special support or equipment you might need whilst you study. You can find out more about DSA by visiting their website.