Post 16
The duty to promote the educational achievement of a children in care extends to looked-after young people aged 16 to the time that they leave care at age 18 yrs old.
Gloucestershire Virtual School gathers data on the NEET ( Not in employment, education or training) /ETE (Education , Training or Employment) status of Post 16 every six weeks and works alongside social workers, YST (Youth Support Team) and NEET team to ensure that appropriate support is given to those young people who are in education or training and those who are ready to transition into learning, so that the PEP is maintained as part of the pathway plan.
Post 16 Pupil Premium is available for young people in care who are engaged in ETE, as part of SMART target setting in PEP meetings.
The Virtual School has good links with local school sixth forms, and further education (FE) colleges both in Gloucestershire and around the country. There are also good links with local universities, which regularly host aspirational events for children in care. Any young person who wishes to apply for higher education is fully supported by a Virtual School Education Adviser working alongside a variety of professionals, as part of the PEP process, to find the right establishment.
Visit our training page to find a short bite-size video about various Post 16 pathways. This can be used by young people, schools, parents and professionals who are looking at various options after Year 11. Click here to go directly to the site.
What are my options post-16?
It is recommended that young people and their parents and carers start to look at their Post 16 options in Year 10 so that they are fully planned and prepared for when applications open in the early part of Year 11.
The Virtual School has created a useful guide to take you through the basics options available and where to look for information. This is suitable for all young people not just those in care.
Click here to access the guide.
Below, you will also find a broadcast aimed at learners, parents/carers, and staff wanting to explore pathways after secondary education.
This is a recorded event (viewable on demand for 2024) to help you explore what options are available post-16 throughout Gloucestershire.
The event includes representatives from the county council, who will discuss sixth forms, and local providers; all giving a brief overview of the pathways they offer, how to apply, bursaries, open days, travel, and extra support in your transition to post-16.
In attendance:
- Gloucestershire County Council
- Gloucestershire College
- South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
- Cirencester College
- Hartpury
- Prospects Training
- Bridge Training
- Gloucester Rugby’s Hitz programme
Gloucestershire County Council - Careers Live (careersliveuk.com)
Prospects Course Guide
As we are approaching the summer and schools looking at post 16 options for Year 11s, Prospect Training Services are proud to provide you with their current Course Guide. On the back of their excellent Ofsted inspection in September 2023, PTS have gone on from strength to strength with an excellent vocational offer for young people.
The Course Guide provides a full update on our offer for post 16 as well as just some of the positive case studies from former learners and includes:
- Our Work Placement Programme
- ESOL Programme
- Our High Needs course, Illumin8 for those with additional needs and EHCP
- Maths and English specific course
All contact information is attached on the Course Guide for our programmes.