Staying in education
You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
You must then do one of the following until you’re 18:
- stay in full-time education, for example at a college
- start an apprenticeship or traineeship
- spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
What are the benefits of staying in education?
- By staying in education you are much more likely to improve your qualifications and skills. Which means that you are more likely to be employed and get a higher paying job.
For example: on average a young person getting five or more good GCSEs earns more than £100,000 more over their lifetime than one who leaves learning with qualifications below level 2.
- By staying in education or training you can help to improve the skill levels of the workforce. Research confirms how important well trained and skilled young people are to the success of businesses and the wider economy, as employers are faced with increasingly competitive environments for attracting and retaining staff.
- By staying in education or training you are likely to have improved health and wellbeing across the whole of your lifetime. Staying in education and training may mean you have better social skills, are less likely to be involved in crime and have a greater chance of being economically active.
What qualifications can I do?
Qualifications can include A levels, T-levels, Technical and vocational qualifications, applied qualifications and Exam retakes.
Visit our qualifications page or the national careers service guide to qualifications national careers service guide to qualifications.
Can I work and train at the same time?
Yes! Combining work and training can be a great way of getting work experience whilst learning, and there are several options available.
Visit our qualifications page or the national careers service guide to qualifications national careers service guide to qualifications.
What qualifications do I need for the job I want?
You can use our careers hub resources page to find profiles on jobs that may interest you and the qualifications you might need to achieve this.
The National Careers Service ‘Explore Careers’ pages has detailed job profiles for a huge range of jobs and how you can achieve your goals.
Support options for young people
Local authorities
CSW Focus 5
The #Focus5 project provides unique, flexible, one-to-one support to young people aged 15-18 across Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset, who may be struggling to move forwards in life.
CSW Focus 5CSW – young people
Helping young people plan for the future.
CSW - young peopleAdditional Learning options
Digital Skills Partnership
If you would like to explore more options around digital skills, please visit our digital skills partnership page for courses and events for young people. Courses may be available to those under 16 as well as
Digital Skills PartnershipNews and events
Visit our news and events page to see information about events and courses available to young people.
News and eventsColleges in the Heart of the South West
Devon
Bicton College
Bicton College has a diverse range of courses for all ages in locations across the South West.
- 16-18-year-olds (school leavers)
- University Hub
- 19+
- Apprenticeships
Exeter College
“Exeter College provides tertiary education for around 10,000 – 12,000 students. The college was established in 1970 as the first tertiary college in the UK, bringing together the former grammar schools’ sixth forms and Exeter Technical College.
Today, the college is forging a path as a college of the future, offering learners a variety of ways into industry or further study. The college offers A-Levels, BTECs, Apprenticeships and, from 2020, the government’s brand new T Levels; a technical-based qualification that prepares students for industry with practical skills and knowledge.”
Petroc
“Rated as the best college in the country 2018*, Petroc is committed to driving forward educational success in further and higher education. We are extremely passionate about raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, communities and businesses in Devon and beyond.”
*Ranked no 1 in NICDEX league table, published by FE Week
- Leaving school
- Application sessions for year 11s
- Degrees
- Apprenticeships
- Access courses
- Distance Learning
- Industry training
- Adult part-time courses
- Recreational Course
- Employer Training
- South West Institute of Technology
South Devon College
“Here at the College, everything we do is built around you as a student. We will help you make the most of your time with us and progress to the next stage of your life, whether that is further or higher study or employment. Our passion for learning is unwavering and we pride ourselves in delivering an excellent experience for you through your personalised programmes of study. We offer a wide range of courses and qualifications for students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and which are designed to help you develop your skills, knowledge and confidence and progress into employment in your chosen career or to higher education.
Our mission is to ‘Inspire the community through learning for all’, which is why we are committed to providing exceptional, free and impartial advice and guidance through our award-winning Helpzone team. You can contact our team or drop into any of our campus locations to find out more information about the courses available to you, and see what the next step in your career or education could be.
Our wide-ranging provision means that you will always be able to find the right route for you, and all here on your doorstep in South Devon. We offer excellent qualifications in professional and technical vocational diplomas at all levels, a huge range of apprenticeships, university degrees, English and maths support, part-time adult qualifications and bespoke professional training.”
Plymouth
City College Plymouth
“We’ve been helping students to get the skills and qualifications they need since 1887! We’re now one of the leading providers of vocational, professional and technical training in the South West.
We can offer you:
- 100s of courses to choose from
- tutors that have real experience in the industry they’re teaching
- nationally recognised qualifications
- hands-on experience
- great facilities, from our multi-million-pound Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM, to a day spa and restaurant
- help with funding
- the support you need, from childcare to careers advice
- and a lot more …
We work with employers to make sure you get the skills, knowledge and training you need to succeed in your chosen career. From hospitality and catering to performing arts, we can help make your dream a reality.”
Plymouth College of Art
“Founded in 1856, Plymouth College of Art is an art school run by artists and designers for artists and designers.
We are home to a dynamic, cross-disciplinary community of makers and thinkers for whom making is as important as reading and writing, and where the purpose of learning is inseparable from that of living your life. A place for making things, and making things happen. For making a difference.”
Undergraduate, postgraduate, pre-degree, young arts (9-18yrs), and short courses and masterclasses.
Somerset
Bridgwater and Taunton College
“Bridgwater College is located in the heart of Somerset, with main centres in Bridgwater and Cannington. It also has outreach centres in Bridgwater (Angel Place), Lufton near Yeovil and Paignton Zoo.”
Huish college
“At Richard Huish College you can start your studies at a level to suit your current situation, from Level 2 vocational courses through to a degree level apprenticeship, we have a course to suit you.
Huish is more than a Sixth Form College. Rated as outstanding by Ofsted, it is a place where you can expand your horizons and develop your future among like-minded people. Huish provides exceptional education and training through the delivery of a holistic academic and vocational curriculum to over 2000 students across Somerset and North Devon.”
Strode College
“We are an Ofsted Outstanding College located in Street, Somerset, offering a wide range of high-quality education and training to the local community. Our Sixth Form has an outstanding reputation nationally for the exceptional progress that our students make. Their outstanding progress and achievements mean they are well prepared for future success, and we are incredibly proud of what our students go on to do after Strode College. In fact, we are one of the best performing Colleges nationally for delivering outstanding student progress.”
Yeovil College
“Yeovil College has been serving the community in and around Yeovil for more than 130 years.
The College was first formed in 1887 when Somerset County Council began formally organising Science and Art classes in Yeovil. In 1947, the first Principal was appointed to lead Yeovil Technical College and when secondary education in the Yeovil Borough was reorganised in 1974, Yeovil College became one of the early tertiary colleges to be formed in England.
Today, Yeovil College remains passionate about its role as a key provider of education and training in South Somerset and North and West Dorset. It remains committed to its role as a tertiary college for the whole community and currently supports around 5000 full and part-time students.”
Torbay
South Devon College
“Here at the College, everything we do is built around you as a student. We will help you make the most of your time with us and progress to the next stage of your life, whether that is further or higher study or employment. Our passion for learning is unwavering and we pride ourselves in delivering an excellent experience for you through your personalised programmes of study. We offer a wide range of courses and qualifications for students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and which are designed to help you develop your skills, knowledge and confidence and progress into employment in your chosen career or to higher education.
Our mission is to ‘Inspire the community through learning for all’, which is why we are committed to providing exceptional, free and impartial advice and guidance through our award-winning Helpzone team. You can contact our team or drop into any of our campus locations to find out more information about the courses available to you, and see what the next step in your career or education could be.
Our wide-ranging provision means that you will always be able to find the right route for you, and all here on your doorstep in South Devon. We offer excellent qualifications in professional and technical vocational diplomas at all levels, a huge range of apprenticeships, university degrees, English and maths support, part-time adult qualifications and bespoke professional training.”