14-18 Pathways

Year 9 Options

In Year 9, our students choose their GCSE Options. We offer a Year 9 Options Evening in the Spring Term and encourage all Year 9 students and their parents/carers to attend. Our independent careers advisor is available on the evening to provide independent advice and guidance.

Read CXK’s blog, Year 9 Options, for a short guide on things to be aware of when choosing GCSE Options.

Post-16 Options    

Following GCSEs, we hope that students will remain at Wye Sixth Form, where they achieve the required grades for our courses. There are, however, many different post-18 options available, from Sixth Form, College, an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Read CXK’s blog, Post-16 Applications in Kent and Medway- Part 1, to find out more about the options available and application processes.

Read CXK’s blog, Post-16 Applications in Kent and Medway- Part 2, to explore apprenticeships, traineeships and financial support available for study.

Read CXK’s blog, A Parent/Carer Guide to Post-16 Options, for how to support your child with their post-16 choices.

Post-18 Options

The majority of our Sixth Form students go on to Higher Education following their A Levels. However, an increasing number of students are choosing to go straight in to employment or an apprenticeship. All students have access to Unifrog, to identify opportunities that link to their future and track their work-related experience, skills, and super-curricular activities.

Watch CXK’s vlog, Year 12 Research Year, aimed at encouraging Year 12 students to be proactive in their 'research year’.

If you are hoping to go on to university post-18, it is essential to demonstrate you have engaged with your subjects outside of the taught curriculum. This could be wider reading, watching videos online, listening to a podcast, attending a lecture series, entering academic competitions. There is a wealth of resources and opportunities, many of which are included in our Next Steps Newsletters, so keep an eye out for the latest opportunities. 

University College, Oxford also has an excellent website with top tips for exploring your subject further. Additionally, please explore our Super-curricular Resources below, which is a compilation of resources from Queens' College, Cambridge and Wye Staff:

Super-curricular Resources

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can be accessed at both Post-16 and Post-18. They are an increasingly popular route for young people given the wide variety of apprenticeships available and the nature of combining practical training alongside study. Please read the following Guide to Apprenticeships to find out more.

Local opportunities for apprenticeships in Kent can be found at www.apprenticekent.com/ 

You can also find out more information about apprenticeships at https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/ 

Wye School has employed two apprentices in recent years, you may recognise them. Read what they have to say about their experience of an apprenticeship, and what tips they have for young people thinking about applying for an apprenticeship. Click here to read our Apprenticeship Case Studies.