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
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.
Andover
Bradford on Avon
Calne
Chippenham
Corsham
Devizes
Malmesbury
Marlborough
Melksham
Royal Wootton Bassett
Warminster
Westbury
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
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.
Building Bridges
Supports people who want to develop their skills, access education or move towards the world of work.
Age 16+
Area: Across Wiltshire.
Website Building Bridges programme
Tel: 01380 732821
Email: hello@buildingbridgessw.org.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
NCS Community Experiences
A 12-week intervention programme with help to find work and your mental health and wellbeing.
Age – 15-17 or up to 25 if care experienced or have SEN.
Area: Across Wiltshire
The Prince’s Trust
The Prince’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 Prince’s Trust (princes-trust.org.uk). There are lots of positives in getting involved with these courses and any public transports costs incurred by attending the course will be refunded back to you at the end of each week.
Bath College and New College, Swindon are the nearest providers for young people in Wiltshire.
Website: The Prince’s Trust – New College Swindon
Website: The Prince’s Trust – Bath College
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
UTC Swindon
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
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.
SMASH – Manage Anxiety Your Way
SMASH deliver an 8-week online course called Manage Anxiety Your Way. The course aims to give you the tools and help to try out a range of techniques to help manage symptoms.
Website: Manage Anxiety – Your Way
Tel: 01793 729748
Email: enquiries@teamsmash.org.uk
Somerset Skills and Learning
Pre-Apprenticeship and Employment programme to help you to be work ready, get qualified, gain work experience and gain maths and english if needed.
Website: 16-19 Options – Somerset Skills & Learning: SS&L (sslcourses.co.uk)
Tel: 0330 332 7997
Multiply
Multiply is here to supports adults aged 19+ who do not currently have Level 2/GCSE maths at grade 4 (previously known as a C grade). There are various courses available, both face to face and online.
The courses can help you to improve your skills and confidence to help you move forward.
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.