Your Education Options Up to Age 18
Up until age 18, you have the right to free education. It is helpful to look at all the options to find a school or college that offers the courses or subjects you are interested in, or has the best route to your chosen career. Your options include:
Sixth form school
Bradford on Avon
Calne
Chippenham
Corsham
Devizes
Malmesbury
Marlborough
Melksham
Royal Wootton Bassett
Warminster
Westbury
The term ‘Sixth Form’ describes the school years 12 and 13. Lots of schools have sixth forms, and you can stay at your current school or move to a new one.
Wiltshire has 21 schools with sixth forms (see list below) and the provision offered depends on each Sixth Form.
Local colleges
Colleges offer a wide variety of courses including apprenticeships. In Wiltshire our local colleges are Wiltshire College & University Centre and New College, Swindon.
- Wiltshire College & University Centre has a campus in Trowbridge, Chippenham, Lackham and Salisbury.
- New College Swindon has 2 campuses in Swindon. The Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology is also based at New College and offers an employer-led training facility delivering high level technical and digital skills training for young people and to those already in employment.
University Technical College (UTC) Swindon is a STEM focused school and sixth form for students aged 14-19, specialising in Engineering, Digital and Cyber Security.
There is also a 6th Form College in Salisbury – Salisbury 6th Form College
MPCT Military Academies help 16+ year olds prepare for employment, including rewarding careers in the British Armed Forces and there is an academy in Salisbury.
Sheldrake Training deliver equine apprenticeships as well as other qualifications in different trades including Equine, IAG, Teaching & Administration and Children & Young People’s Workforce.
Other local colleges that are easy to travel to from Wiltshire are:
- Bath College have a campus in Bath City Centre and their Somer Valley campus is in Radstock.
- Andover College – Further Education – Hampshire
For more information on other further education courses visit www.gov.uk/further-education-course
Other local training providers
Local training providers offer alternative options for 16+ learning, including community-based programmes, engagement, and specialist support.
Bath Rugby Foundation - Advantage
Helping you to find the right path with education, employment, or training. Drop-in sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:30pm – 4:30pm at Bath Rec Sports Hub, North Parade Road, Bath BA2 4ET
Age: 16-25
Area: Bath
Website: Advantage NEET programme
Email: Liam Lintern on liam.lintern@bathrugbyfoundation.com
BOOST - Platform Project
Youth employability programme for 16-24 year olds who are currently not in education, employment or training, designed to provide practical hands-on business projects that align with your interests and career aspirations, including the option to launch a self-employed career.
Age: 16-24
Area: Swindon
Website: www.platformproject.co.uk/boost
Tel: 0300 030 1232
Email: info@platformproject.co.uk
Greatwood
Greatwood use former racehorses to help educate children and young adults. Their Get Going programme is a free five-day course where learners can gain a nationally recognised accredited qualification in horse care.
Age: 16-24
Area: Marlborough
Website: Educational Programmes with Greatwood Charity
Tel:01672 514535
Email: info@greatwoodcharity.org
Green Labyrinth
An independent training provider offering a range of programs including a 16-19 Study Programme for young adults and programmes for Adult learners.
Age: 16+
Area: Swindon (and surrounding area)
Website: Green Labyrinth Training
Tel: 01793 236245
Email:info@greenlabyrinth.co.uk
Next Level Business Academy
Customer Service Study Programme with Next Level Training.
- Venue: Business Cyber Centre – Chippenham.
- 26-week programme (3 days a week)
- Includes English and maths
- Bursary available for travel if eligible
- £100 Amazon voucher on completion of all elements of the study programme
Age – 16-18.
Area: Chippenham
Website: Full-time Programmes for 16-19s | Next Level Training
To enrol on this Programme please talk to your Education, Employment Adviser.
Seeds4success
Weekly sessions for young people who want to develop and improve their experience and/or qualifications to enable them to go on to access further education, employment, training or apprenticeships. Includes skills and experience development (outdoor sessions), Functional Skills Level 1 or 2 English and maths courses and work experience opportunities.
Age: 14+
Area: Mere and surrounding area.
Website: www.seeds4success.org.uk
Tel: 07585 723824
Email: info@seeds4success.org.uk
Shoots Training
Shoots Training deliver an online study programme in Business Admin and Caring for Children:
- Level 1 Certificate in Business Administration Study Programme
1 monthly online session (roughly 4 hours) with 3 days a week work experience, term time only.
- Level 1 Caring for Children Qualification Study Programme
1 day home study (Monday), online sessions with 3 days a week work experience, term time only.
Work placement can be set up by Shoots and enhanced DBS paid for by the company. Uniform provided for free.
Functional skills (all levels) English and maths provided, one to one and online sessions weekly.
Age 16+
To refer go to the website Learner Hub: Apprenticeships & Short Courses with Shoots Training or speak to your Education, Employment Adviser.
Somerset Skills & Learning
Future Ready is a course delivered by Somerset Skills & Learning to help build confidence and gain useful qualification to prepare for work, an apprenticeship or further education.
Age 16+
Area: Frome
To refer go to the website Future Ready | SS&L or speak to your Education, Employment Adviser.
The King’s Trust
The King’s Trust work with local training providers to deliver programmes for 16-25 year olds to help grow confidence and develop skills – How we can help | The King’s Trust .
Wiltshire Council’s Family and Community Learning Team deliver Achieve in Trowbridge and Salisbury. For young people aged 16-25 years old, the Achieve programme helps to develop resilience, build skills, meet new people and plan ahead.
Salisbury – Every Tuesday 10.15am to 2.45pm – Salisbury Flyer
Trowbridge – Every Thursday 10.15am to 2.45pm – Trowbridge Flyer
Contact the team for more information on 01225 770478 or email: achieveprogram@wiltshire.gov.uk
Bath College and New College, Swindon also deliver King’s Trust programmes:
Website: The King’s Trust – New College Swindon
Website: The King’s Trust – Bath College
Wiltshire College NEET Program
The NEET program is perfect for young adults who:
- Want to move on to internships or employment.
- Wish to continue their education but need basic skills and qualifications first.
- Need extra help to build confidence, create career plans, and improve their employability.
You will gain skills in writing resumes, planning careers, and getting hands-on experience that will prepare you for work or further education.
Age: 16-18
Area: Salisbury
Flyer with more details.
Talk to your Education, Employment Adviser who will refer you to this program.
Youth Action Wiltshire
Part of Youth Action Wiltshire young people are supported to develop individual action plans, take part in personal and social activities, accredited training courses and volunteering opportunities.
Age: 16-19
Area: Devizes (transport may be offered from other areas)
Website: Youth Action Wiltshire | Project Inspire (communityfirst.org.uk)
Tel: 01380 729813
Online/ distance learning
These courses are all available to study from home if you have a laptop. If you do not have a laptop speak to your support worker who may be able to help.
Catch22
Catch22 have joined up with Bath Spa University and Employers to offer some online courses to anyone interested in creative digital skills. Includes ongoing support for six months provided by a personal employability coach from Catch22.
- Click Start is an eight-week Creative Digital program for 18-30yr olds covering web development (HTML, CSS, Bootstrap), UX/UI design (ideation, colour, typography), and digital marketing (SEO, social media, content and email).
- TikTok Creative Academy is a part-time program for aspiring creatives. A four-week course, three times a week, covering portfolios, social media, analytics, Canva, and industry entry points.
- Microsoft Digital Edge is a collaboration between Catch22 and Microsoft, targeting candidates aged 18 and above facing various challenges like gender barriers, mental health issues, school exclusion, and disability. A 3–4 week program providing insights into digital apprenticeships and entry-level IT jobs with local employers in Microsoft’s network.
Contact Luke by email Luke.Guest@Catch-22.org.uk with your full name, age, email/phone number and the town/city you are based in.
Post 19 skills programmes
Skills Bootcamps are available free of charge for individual learners who are job searching and looking to improve their skills. It is also available for self employed people who are looking to progress their business.
Find out more here.
Family and community learning
Family and Community Learning includes a range of online, community based and outreach learning opportunities designed to help people aged 19+ to:
- Gain a new skill
- Reconnect with learning
- Prepare to progress to formal courses
- Learn how to support their children better
To view courses, ask questions and enrol visit their dedicated page on Work Wiltshire.