Parents and Carers Advice for 16-18 year olds Biddenham runs two courses post 16, one is a level 2 course, for students who need further level 2 (GCSE) qualifications in order to progress onto the next study course. This might be due to insufficient grades to access the level 3 course or too few subjects at grade 4 or above. The other course is a level 3 course, which is A level and Vocational level 3 courses, all are the equivalent of one qualification (we do not offer double or triple qualifications).
If your child wishes to continue with a broad base of subjects and has sufficient qualifications to move on to level 3, then it is a good option to continue onto level 3 qualifications. If your child knows exactly what they want to do, then studying a course (an apprenticeship, a vocational course at college or a new T level) which is going to lead directly into that field/industry, is also recommended. At the age of 16, some students do not know precisely which career path they wish to take, therefore keeping a broad base of level 3 qualifications, 3 or 4 A level/vocational subjects, is ‘safer’ and enables them to spend two further years deciding what to do post 18.
Our sixth form offers a variety of level 3 courses. Equally there are other local providers who offer similar courses. In addition, they may offer level 3 vocational qualifications in one subject which may be worth more than one qualification – these are referred to as double or triple qualifications. They will hold UCAS tariff points (which are the points awarded to each qualification) and will enable your child (if they choose) to be able to go to university or college to study post 18.
