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Pathways
In Year 11 (or Year 12, if you are doing a one-year course), you will have to make some big decisions about your future. Your main options are following either an academic, vocational or industry led pathway.
A Levels are the most common form of academic learning after GCSEs. There are a wide range of A Level subjects available, some of which you might not have studied at GCSE.
Vocational courses are best suited to people who are practical learners and are a great way to gain experience in the field you are interested in.
If you would like to earn a wage while you learn a skill, then an apprenticeship is the perfect career choice.
The courses listed in this section either train you for a specific job, e.g. hairdressing, or give you work-related qualifications in a specific vocational area, e.g. health & social care. Assessments are both written (assignments) and practical.
A Levels are the most common form of academic learning after GCSEs. There are a wide range of A Level subjects available, some of which you might not have studied at GCSE.
There are a limited number of sixth forms and colleges that offer GCSE retakes and those that do ordinarily offer this alongside other qualifications, not as a standalone offer.
If you would like to earn a wage while you learn a skill, then an apprenticeship is the perfect career choice. With apprenticeships you will spend some of your time working and some of your time (usually about one day a week) studying for your job related qualification, e.g NVQ in Project Management.
T Levels are new two-year courses which are taken after GCSEs and are broadly equivalent in size to three A Levels. T Levels are based on the same standards as apprenticeships, designed by employers and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute).
At Hillingdon Council’s Learn Hillingdon we offer a wealth of courses to help adults aged 19 or over. Whether that’s to improve your spoken or written English, Maths or Digital Skills, or take your first steps toward achieving your dream job. We also have courses designed to support you with your mental and physical health.