Post 16 and Post 18 Pathways
At King James I Academy, we are fully committed to supporting all students in making confident, well-informed decisions about their Post-16 and Post-18 pathways. We recognise that these are important transition points that can shape future education, training, and career opportunities, and we believe no student should navigate these choices without the right guidance and support.
Why this support is important
Choosing what to do after Year 11 or Year 13 can feel overwhelming for both students and families. There are now many different routes available, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships, training, employment, and university. Providing clear, impartial guidance helps students:
- Understand all available options
- Make choices that suit their strengths, interests, and aspirations
- Feel confident and prepared for the next stage of their education or career
- Avoid becoming unsure or disengaged at key transition points
How we support students
At King James I Academy, Post-16 and Post-18 guidance is built into our careers programme and includes:
- One-to-one personal guidance interviews with our Careers Adviser at key stages
- Targeted support for Year 9 options, Year 10 and 11 Post-16 choices, and Sixth Form Post-18 planning
- Regular careers education through lessons, assemblies, events, and employer encounters
- Ongoing support for students who wish to explore or reconsider their pathways
- Inclusive careers guidance, with careers discussions forming part of SEND reviews
Supporting parents and carers
We value the role that parents and carers play in supporting decision-making. To help families have informed and meaningful discussions at home, we provide:
- Clear information shared directly with parents and carers
- Links and resources below and on the Academy website covering Post-16 and Post-18 options
- Signposting to trusted external careers and education websites
- Opportunities for parents and carers to attend careers interviews and discussions
By working closely with students, parents, carers, and external partners, King James I Academy ensures that every young person is supported to understand their options and take their next steps with confidence and ambition. Please have a look at the information below for more information.
King James I Academy Sixth Form
King James I Academy Sixth Form is a great choice for students who want to achieve strong academic outcomes while being supported as individuals in a positive and welcoming environment.
Strong outcomes and high standards
Our Sixth Form has a 100% pass rate across all qualification types, reflecting the high level of teaching, support, and commitment to student success. In addition, 100% of students who receive university offers secure their chosen placements, showing how well students are prepared for their next steps. Our performance and progress are above the national average for state schools, giving students confidence that they are studying in a high-achieving setting.
Support beyond the classroom
We offer a Personal Development programme that is specifically designed for young adults. This helps students build confidence, independence, and essential life skills needed for higher education, apprenticeships, or employment. Alongside this, our enrichment programme provides opportunities to develop wider skills, experiences, and interests that strengthen applications and prepare students for the future.
Excellent careers support
Students benefit from high-quality careers advice, including guidance on Post-18 options and preparation for interviews, applications, and next steps. This ensures every student is supported to make informed choices and present themselves confidently to universities, employers, or training providers.
A supportive and friendly environment
King James Sixth Form offers a small, welcoming, and friendly environment, where students are known as individuals and supported to reach their full potential. This close-knit setting allows strong relationships with staff, personalised support, and a sense of belonging that helps students thrive.
Overall, King James I Academy Sixth Form combines excellent outcomes, outstanding support, and a caring community, making it an ideal place for students to succeed and prepare for life beyond school.
[Link to sixth form page]
National Careers Service
The NCS provides information, advice and guidance to help students make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential and impartial advice and is supported by qualified careers advisers. You can chat with an adviser using webchat (8am to 10pm, 7days a week). Or you can call 0800 100 900 to speak to an adviser (8am to 10pm, 7 days a week). Calls are free from landlines and most mobile numbers.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
National Apprenticeship Service
Apprenticeships.org offers guidance on how to apply for an apprenticeship as well as listing current local apprenticeship opportunities. More information on apprenticeships can also be found on the Amazing Apprenticeships website.
https://www.gov.uk/education/further-and-higher-education-skills-and-vocational-training
Post 16 options information from North East Ambition
The Post-16 Options webpage from North East Ambition provides clear, easy-to-understand information about the choices available to young people after Year 11.
It explains the main pathways, including:
- A Levels
- Apprenticeships
- T Levels
- Employment and training routes
The page helps students and parents understand what each option involves, how they differ, and where they can lead. It also includes links to useful guides and resources to support decision-making.
Overall, the page is designed to help families compare post-16 options, understand the full range of opportunities, and make informed choices about the next step after GCSEs.
https://ambition.northeast-ca.gov.uk/education/further-education/post-16-options
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Local colleges
Bishop Aukland College www.bacoll.ac.uk
New College Durham www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk
East Durham College www.eastdurham.ac.uk
Sunderland College sunderlandcollege.ac.uk
Gateshead College www.gateshead.ac.uk
Newcastle College www.ncl-coll.ac.uk
Local universities
Sunderland University www.sunderland.ac.uk
Newcastle University www.ncl.ac.uk
Northumbria University www.northumbria.ac.uk
Durham University www.dur.ac.uk
Teesside University www.tees.ac.uk
Apprenticeships & Work-Based Training
ITEC North East – A regional training provider that delivers apprenticeship training in areas such as business, customer service, administration, and more. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with recognised qualifications and are available from Level 2 upwards.
South West Durham Training Ltd – Based on Aycliffe Business Park, this provider specialises in practical training and apprenticeships, particularly in engineering and manufacturing-related subjects as well as supporting progression planning and work placements.
While not always based directly in Bishop Auckland, these are commonly accessed by local learners and may be useful for parents and carers when exploring options:
Derwentside College – Further education provider in Consett, offering vocational and academic pathways, similar to Bishop Auckland College.
Registered training and work-based learning organisations (e.g., Access Training, Baltic Training, Catch22, DurhamWorks, Key Training, Learning Curve Group, Northern Skills Group) offer apprenticeships, employability support, and specialist skills training across the North East region.
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