Not sure what to do after Year 11? You're not alone, and there's plenty of support available. This page covers all your main options, from sixth form and college to apprenticeships and work-based training, along with local advice and resources to help you make the right choice for you.
If you’re in Year 12 or 13 and not currently in education, employment or training, you can get extra help from one of our advisers. Visit our Help and Support page, call us on 01225 716890, or email workwilts@wiltshire.gov.uk.
School leaving age
Choosing your next step
After finishing Year 11, it’s important to choose the path that feels right for your interests, needs and future. There are three main options available to young people in Wiltshire:
Your Options
- Stay in full‑time education at a school sixth form or college
- Start an apprenticeship and earn while you learn
- Work or volunteer for 20 or more hours a week while also doing part‑time education or training
How to Decide What’s Right for You
- Think about what suits you best
Consider how you like to learn, the subjects you enjoy, and the kind of environment you want to be in. - Check what your chosen career requires
Some careers need qualifications from sixth form or college, while others are open through apprenticeships. There’s more information on our Help and Support page under “careers advice” - Explore local options
Visit the websites of colleges and sixth forms near you. A list of local colleges and sixth forms can be found on our Education and Training Opportunities page. - Attend open days or open evenings
These are a great way to meet staff, see the facilities, and get a feel for the place. Dates will be on their websites. - Think about travel
Look at how you’ll get to your chosen place and whether you can get financial help with travel costs. You can find out more about transport support on the Wiltshire Council website.
Careers advice
If you’re still at school or college, you can ask to see a careers adviser. They’ll help you explore your interests and career ideas.
If you’re not currently at school or college, you can get free advice from the National Careers Service at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
Here are some other websites to help you explore your career options.
- Plan your future work or study with CareerPilot at careerpilot.org.uk
- Bitesize Careers explains the world of work, with advice from people who have found the right path for them: bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers
- See real-life career videos and ideas for your future at icould.com.
- Youth Employment UK has lots of information including CV and job-hunting advice and free skills training: youthemployment.org.uk/careers-hub
Use the Careerometer below to compare different careers. Select different jobs on each card to compare pay, workforce changes and descriptions.
How much could you earn?
Careerometer can be used to explore and compare different jobs. Simply type in the title of a job you’re interested in and the widget will give you a series of options to choose from. You can then look up another two jobs and compare them side by side.
By selecting “display the UK average” you can see what the average pay and hours are across the UK, and compare this to the jobs you’re considering.
Tracking participation for 16-18 years old
Every local authority has a legal duty to track what young people are doing for two academic years after they leave school at the end of Year 11. This could be studying, working, or not currently doing anything. In Wiltshire, we do this by working with schools, post-16 providers, other local authorities and other teams at Wiltshire Council.
If we don’t know what you’re doing, we may contact you to find out. This could be by text, phone, email, letter or a visit.
We also contact schools to check that all Year 11 and Year 12 students have something to go on to the following year. We follow up with any young people who don’t have anything in place to offer support. This is called the September Guarantee, the guarantee of a place for September.
Update your details
You can let us know what you’re doing by completing our online form. It helps us make sure we’re supporting young people in Wiltshire as effectively as possible.
Update us with your details: workwiltshire.co.uk/update-us>
You can also call us on 01225 716890 or email workwilts@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Support service
If you’re aged 16 to 17 and not currently in education, employment or training, extra support is available through our Help and Support from Next Steps page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to stay in education after Year 11?
You don’t have to stay in school, but you do have to stay in some form of education or training until the August after you turn 18. That could be sixth form, college, an apprenticeship, or part-time training alongside work or volunteering.
What are my options after Year 11 in Wiltshire?
The three main options are full-time education at a sixth form or college, an apprenticeship where you earn while you learn, or working and volunteering for at least 20 hours a week alongside part-time training. Wiltshire has a wide range of local colleges and sixth forms to choose from.
What's the difference between sixth form and college?
Sixth forms are usually attached to a secondary school and tend to focus on A Levels. Further education colleges like Wiltshire College offer a broader range of courses including A Levels, T Levels, BTECs and vocational qualifications, often with more flexibility.
Can I do an apprenticeship straight after Year 11?
Yes. Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 and over. You can start searching and applying as soon as you finish Year 11. Some employers will accept applications based on predicted grades before results day.
What if I don't have a place for September?
If you’re aged 16 to 17 and don’t yet have a place in education, employment or training, Work Wiltshire can help. Contact our Education Employment Advisers on 01225 716890 or email workwilts@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Where can I get free careers advice in Wiltshire?
If you’re at school or college, ask to speak to your careers adviser. If you’re not, you can contact the National Careers Service for free at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk, or get in touch with Work Wiltshire directly.