A guide to your options at 16

This feature is about what to do after your high school days are over and done with.

Finishing your GCSE’s can be a strange time. Your exams are over and you’ve got the world ahead of you, which feels new and exciting. It’s time to make choices. What are you going to do next?

It can seem daunting having to make decisions that will affect the rest of your life. Luckily there’s plenty of information out there to help you make the right choice as you embark on the next big step.

The direction you go after Year 11 is up to you. We’ve put together a handy guide to your options.

Staying in full time education

This is the most common option after Year 11. Whether you stay at school, or go to a Sixth Form or further education college, you’ll find a wide range of subjects on offer. Remember, further education isn’t just about A levels – there’s lots of qualifications to choose from, including technical certificates such as GNVQ, City and Guilds and BTEC.

You can choose a fairly broad programme of study, as with AS and A2 levels, or concentrate on something that really interests you with a more specialist course.

As well as the more traditional subjects, options range from performing arts to animal care, from mechanics to media, from hospitality to health and beauty – there’s a huge amount of choice.

These types of courses can lead to further education at a college, higher education at a university, or employment.

There’s also financial help available while you are still in full time education, including the Education Maintenance Allowance, which could give you up to £30 a week.