Financial Support

To support sixth form or further education study, there is financial support available depending on family income through the Education Maintenance Allowance. For more information see EMA website.

More information for parents and students on EMA will be available in April 2009.

AGCE or Applied? What’s the difference?

A levels are generally split up into either AGCE or Applied. Some subjects such as Business Studies offer an AGCE and an Applied in Business - and it's important to recognise which is best suited for you. This link to the QCA website explains in detail the distinct differences between these types of A levels. Below is a brief summary of what the website explains.

Most of these units are assessed by examination, but some are assessed by coursework. In most A levels the coursework equates to between 20% and 30% of the marks.

AS covers the less demanding material in an A level course, whereas A2 covers the more demanding work. In A2, students combine knowledge, understanding and skills from across the A level course.

This is a vocational A level. These enable you to develop skills, knowledge and understanding in the vocational area you are studying, preparing you for both the world of work and progression into higher education. Applied A Levels are designed to equip students with up-to-date knowledge, skills and understanding of processes and principles in the subject they are studying. Learning in Applied A Levels is more student-led and active although being supported and directed by teachers.

 Applied A Levels are assessed by a combination of internal and external assessment. Usually, one-third of the overall assessment is external- however that varies with the Applied A Levels you are doing.

How do A levels work in TTS? And, what is available?

Thomas Telford School offers a wide variety of Applied A Levels and AGCE courses, for information on courses at TTS see below. Each A level student does a compulsory Applied A Level in ICT, and most students end up choosing to do around 3-5 A levels all together.

Course Leaflets
The courses below are all available at TTS, click on them to get more information on each one.

For further information discuss your choice of A level with your subject teacher or Mr Carroll, Head of Sixth Form. 

What if TTS doesn`t offer me the A level course that I want to do?

Obviously there are lots of different courses available to students looking to either stay on at school for 6th form, or leave and go to a college. Colleges do offer other courses if you find that TTS does not offer you the one you want to do. Other courses may include Fashion and Textiles, Media Studies, Law, Sociology or Photography. It is a very different environment in a college, and you may find more self-motivation is required.

There are many different colleges in the Telford and Wolverhampton area. The links below will take you to their individual home pages. Telford College of Arts and Technology New College, Telford Shrewsbury College of Art and Technology Stafford College Wolverhampton College Rodbaston College Harper Adams College

EMA allowance is also available for study outside of 6th form, depending on family income.  

Is it best to choose A levels that I need for the future or that I enjoy?

Ideally it is best to balance out these two factors. If you find you are choosing A levels you think that you need, but that you find very boring, it is probably pointing to the fact that you will find the employment you are planning to go into dull as well. You do need to consider what A levels may help you achieve your ideal career, or at least A levels you think may be useful to you when you are older.

Enjoying what you are doing is very important though while also trying to include those A levels you need, as it promotes self-motivation for the course and you will find it fun.

The best bet is combining a mixture of these two as then you will find attending higher education both a useful and interesting experience.

Help on choosing your A level Subjects will be assisted by Telford Connexions 4 Youth. Contact Mr Howell for more information.

Modern Apprenticeship Options

What is a Modern Apprenticeship?

A Modern Apprenticeship is a course in which you learn while you work. Knowledge, skills and qualifications are gained, and at the same time as earning money.

There are two levels of Modern Apprenticeship: Foundation (FMA) and Advanced (AMA). Both of them lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Key Skills qualifications and Technical Certificates.

If you would like more information about this, look at teenzcourses.taw.org.uk

Contact Mr Howell for more information.

Work Options

Some people just want to go into the world of work at 16

And that`s fine, many people do not wish to go to college, or get a modern apprenticeship. In this case talking to Mr. Howell in Careers could help. They could give information about jobs, and even help to get recommendations and CV`s done. For more information into going into full time employment visit our links page. We also have vacancy information which will be announced on the Electronic Notice Board

Work Placement

Thomas Telford school offers a work placement service so that all sixth form students can gain real experience in the work place. 6.1 students will be informed of this at the start of September. Work placement for sixth form in 2009 will take place between 6 - 17 July. Video

Tall Ships Challenge

www.tallships.org

We also have an exciting programme giving sixth formers the opportunity to experience life on the open sea. For more information and to share the experiences of students please watch this Video

Fast Tomato

This will also be available to Year 11 students. Contact Mr Howell for more information.

Destinations of Year 11 Students

The destination of Year 11 students in 2008 has been received from Telford Connexions 4 Youth.

The breakdown is as follows:

94% continued in full time education,

4% started modern apprenticeships,

2% started employment.