Which qualifications at 16+?

Lesson

To consider the different advanced qualification routes available at 16+

Context

Many students in Y11 need to make a choice of which subjects/qualifications to take. One possible influence on that choice is where might it lead to in Higher Education. This activity aims to help students understand what the consequences of their choice might be on their post-18 higher education opportunities.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to explain how a choice of post-16 course can influence the choices available in HE.

Level

This activity is suitable for those students who may be capable of HE study.

Resources

Access to Higher Ideas and paper to note results on.

Contribution to National Framework

This activity contributes to the following learning outcomes, KS4 and post-16 learning outcome - 8.

Starter

Ask the group to reflect on their Y10 course choices and how they might affect/affected their range of choice at 16+.

Main

Student instructions:-

From the Higher Ideas opening screen students select an A-level Double Award search with or without additional A-level study. Then a second search is carried out based on a selection of two or three A-level subjects related to the A-level Double Award previously researched. It is also possible at this stage to search on a BTEC National Diploma in a similar subject area, with or without additional A-level study.

Higher Ideas now has the ability to compare the results of the searches by using the 'Review' button. The program remembers the searches that were carried out and can compare two searches with each other.

Note: This is a fairly complex activity to give an example for, and students may need careful de-briefing with any results obtained. However, it can be stated that many of the Study Areas identified are common to the BTEC National Diploma route, the A-level route and the A-level Double Award route, although there may be some significant differences that students should be encouraged to discuss with an adviser before making any choices.

Plenary

Students can be asked to describe other factors, apart from potential HE study, that influence choices of post-16 courses.

Extension Activity

N/A

Page date 14/02/08