Post-16 Options

At Leigh Academy Rainham, we take pride in supporting students in selecting their next destination after the successful completion of Year 11 and GCSE study. The government dictates that you spend from the age of 16 to 18 in either full-time education or an apprenticeship. The information below should help students gain a greater understanding as to what pathways and courses are available to them to progress to their next intended destination whether this be: sixth form, college or apprenticeship.

Full Time Education – Choosing a Pathway

Pathway One: Studying at Leigh Academy Rainham Sixth Form

There are many studies that support and promote that students who study at the same sixth form provision as they did during their GCSEs will often do better in their examination outcomes.

We highly recommend and encourage students in Year 11 to stay and continue their study with us Post-16. This is because:

  • Students and teachers have developed strong pastoral relationships
  • Teachers would have a clear understanding of the strengths and areas of improvement for each student
  • Familiarity with expectations, routines and school systems
  • Familiarity and confidence in the environment since Year 7

We have a dedicated Post-16 Team of staff with expertise in developing and supporting Post-16 students, as well as facilities and systems that allow increased freedom for students and opportunities to take on responsibilities that make them both more employable and more attractive to universities.

We also provide a wide range of pathways which include IB and Vocational courses (AAQs). Students can combine qualification types in a way that few schools allow but which provide students the opportunity to demonstrate that they have the skills that employers and universities highly value.

We are recognised by OFSTED in being ‘Outstanding, February 2024’ for both: Personal Development and ‘Behaviour and Attitudes.’ It is our aim to continue this with our Post-16 students in helping support them to achieve their destinations at the end of Upper Sixth (Year 13).

Some students have voiced that they are ready for a change of environment, and that they would like to experience different teachers or study courses that we do not offer.

Some students decide that they would like the chance to study in a grammar school or another comprehensive sixth form. Sometimes, this is because they want to take a unique qualification suite.

If you decide to apply to a school other than The Leigh Academy Rainham for Post-16, you need to visit their open evening in the autumn of Year 11 and check the courses they offer and what their entry requirements are to make sure that it is the right place for you.

To find out when other schools are holding their open evenings and to apply for a place, you may want to visit:

  • The school’s website
  • Use your Kent Choices login (delivered to you via school in September/October of Year 11) via this link: Kent Prospectus

There are some obvious appeals to going to college for Post-16. For example, many in Kent and Medway do not insist students adhere to a dress code, there is some unstructured time whereby you can have time away from the college campus, some of which have excellent facilities for vocational courses that schools cannot offer.

Studying at college requires a student to be very self-disciplined in meeting strict deadlines as college lecturers will not chase you in the way that your teachers at school do.

Most college courses start recruiting students in the Autumn term of Year 11 and the popular courses fill up fast, so it’s important to apply and get an interview early.

To find out about more information about colleges in Kent and Medway consider searching on:

  • Post-16 Medway Options here
  • Post-16 Kent Options here

Full Time Education – Choosing The Right Courses

At Leigh Academy Rainham, we promote to our Year 11 students that they use the following criteria when selecting courses for their post-16 provision study:

Criteria One

Choose courses and subjects that prepare you for a particular career

Choose courses and subjects that prepare you for a particular university course

If you already know what you want to study at university, research the typical entry requirements for that course at a range of UK universities. A simple Google search of ‘entry requirements for X at UK universities’ will lead you to this information.

For example if you would like to study Law, it would be useful to study a subject that links greatly to this, such as: History or English.

Choose courses and subjects that you have enjoyed and previously studied at GCSE

This is often the best way to choose subjects to study. This is because you would have already studied some of the content and skills already to be successful in this subject area. Post-16 courses are often two years so having previous experience in subjects you have already studied will help you become more confident!

Choose courses and subjects that you think you might enjoy

If you are not sure what career you are aiming for or what course you want to take at university; selecting courses and subjects that you are passionate about or might enjoy will help you. Post-16 study is tough-you will need to study courses that you enjoy to keep you motivated!

For example, we do not offer: Psychology or Politics at GCSE, but aim to offer this at Post-16.

Choose courses and subjects that are delivered and assessed in the way that best suits you.

GCSE examinations are tough! However at Post-16, different qualification types are delivered and assessed in different ways.

If you achieve your best results in exams, then IB Diploma courses are a good choice for you, as IB courses contain at least 20% coursework. 

If you achieve best through coursework, then AAQ vocational courses will suit you, as they are 60% coursework.