A Levels are no longer the only route for students after GCSE. With the skills needs of work changing and UK skills shortage, more and more students are looking at alternative options to the traditional A Levels and University routes.
At Portland Place School we provide students with the support and information they need to choose the best route for them.
We have a post-16 member of staff, offer interview technique coaching from an independent specialist, outreach to a number of sixth forms and colleges and support their application process.
Academic Routes
With strong links to DLD College all our students will have preferential entry for sixth form, but we work closely with our students to enable any progression for their Post-16 journey.
Our students welcome offers from a diverse range of schools and colleges and they will continue their education at well-regarded establishments such as:
- St. Pauls
- Highgate
- Wetherby Senior
- South Hampstead High School
- Mill Hill
- Ashbourne College
- DLD College
- Albemarle
- St Marylebone School
- Woodhouse College
as well as creative educational settings including:
- Fine Art College
- Brit School
- London Screen Academy
- Fashion Retail Academy
Vocational Routes
Vocational qualifications are designed to meet the specific needs of employers and job sectors. This means that students will develop the skills and knowledge that employers value, enabling them to become an effective employee and helping the organisation to succeed.
Vocational qualifications explored at Portland Place School include a range of apprenticeships programmes and BTEC qualifications.
Apprenticeships
The UK has a significant shortage of skilled workers in science, technology/digital and engineering. To help bridge the skills gap, and with the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, more and more business are developing apprenticeship schemes where students have the ability to work and earn at the same time. Below are a list of just a few of them:
- Accenture
- AXA
- BBC
- Deliotte
- Capgemini
- KPMG
- Omnicon
- Saatchi & Saatchi
- The Guardian
- Unilever
BTEC
BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council. BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications.
They combine practical learning with subject and theory content. There are over 2,000 BTEC qualifications across 16 sectors – they are available from entry level through to professional qualifications at level 7 (equivalent to postgraduate study).
