Financial Support

To support sixth form or further education study, there is financial support available depending on family income through the Education Maintenance Allowance. For more information see EMA website.

More information for parents and students on EMA will be available in April 2005.

AGCE or AVCE? What’s the difference?

A levels are generally split up into either AGCE or AVCE. Some subjects such as Art offer an AGCE and an AVCE in Art and design- and its tough recognising which is best suited for you. This link to the QCA website explains in detail the distinct differences between these types of A levels. Below is a brief summary of what the website explains.

Instead of having one exam session right at the end of the course, A levels are now split into two sections, the AS and A2. AS (Advanced Subsidiary) is literally the first year of a two year A level course. It has 3 units, is valued as a stand-alone qualification, and counts as exactly half of a full A level. A2, the second part of a full A level qualification, also has 3 units and like the AS level, counts as 50%. They combine to form a full A level qualification.

Most of these units are assessed by examination, but some are assessed by coursework. In most A levels the coursework equates to between 20% and 30% of the marks.

AS covers the less demanding material in an A level course, whereas A2 covers the more demanding work. In A2, students combine knowledge, understanding and skills from across the A level course.

This is a vocational A level. AVCEs enable you to develop skills, knowledge and understanding in the vocational area you are studying, preparing you for both the world of work and progression into higher education. AVCEs are designed to equip students with up-to-date knowledge, skills and understanding of processes and principles in the AVCE they are studying. Learning in AVCE is more student-led and active although being supported and directed by teachers.

AVCEs are assessed by a combination of internal and external assessment. Usually, one-third of the overall assessment is external- however that varies with the AVCE you are doing.

How do A levels work in TTS? And, what is available?

Thomas Telford School offers a wide variety of AVCE and AGCE courses, for information on courses at TTS see below. Each A level student does a compulsory AVCE ICT, and most students end up choosing to do around 3-5 A levels all together, only one of which can be AVCE double award- if you chose to do one.

Course Leaflets
The courses below are all available at TTS, click on them to get more information on each one.

For further information discuss your choice of A level with your subject teacher or Mr Carroll, Head of Sixth Form. 

What if TTS doesn't offer me the A level course that I want to do?

Obviously there are lots of different courses available to students looking to either stay on at school for 6th form, or leave and go to a college. Colleges do offer other courses if you find that TTS does not offer you the one you want to do. Other courses may include Fashion and Textiles, Media Studies, Law, Sociology or Photography. It is a very different environment in a college, and you may find more self-motivation is required.

There are many different colleges in the Telford and Wolverhampton area. The links below will take you to their individual home pages. Telford College of Arts and Technology New Collage, Telford Shrewsbury College of Art and Technology Stafford Collage Wolverhampton College Rodbaston College Harper Adams College

EMA allowance is also available for study outside of 6th form, depending on family income.  

Is it best to choose A levels that I need for the future or that I enjoy?

Ideally it is best to balance out these two factors. If you find you are choosing A levels you think that you need, but that you find very boring, it is probably pointing to the fact that you will find the employment you are planning to go into dull as well. You do need to consider what A levels may help you achieve your ideal career, or at least A levels you think may be useful to you when you are older.

The best bet is combining a mixture of these two as then you will find attending higher education both a useful and interesting experience.

Help on choosing your A level Subjects will be assisted by Shropshire Connxions. Contact Mr Howell for more information.

Modern Apprenticeship Options

What is a Modern Apprenticeship?

A Modern Apprenticeship is a course in which you learn while you work. Knowledge, skills and qualifications are gained, and at the same time as earning money.

There are two levels of Modern Apprenticeship: Foundation (FMA) and Advanced (AMA). Both of them lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Key Skills qualifications and Technical Certificates.

If you would like more information about this, look at Real Work Real Pay

Contact Mr Howell for more information.

Work Options

Some people just want to go into the world of work at 16

And that's fine, many people do not wish to go to college, or get a modern apprenticeship. In this case talking to Mr. Howell or Mr.Howell in Careers could help. They could give information about jobs, and even help to get recommendations and CV's done. For more information into going into full time employment visit our links page. We also have vacancy information which will be announced on the Electronic Notice Board

Work Placement

Thomas Telford school offers a work placement service so that all sixth form students can gain real experience in the work place. 6.1 students will be informed of this at the start of September. Work placement for sixth form in 2007 - 2 - 20 July Video

Tall Ships Challenge

We also have an exciting programme giving sixth formers the opportunity to experience life on the open sea. For more information and to share the experiences of students please watch this Video

Fast Tomato

This will also be available to Year 11 students. Contact Mr Howell for more information.

Destinations of Year 11 Students

The destination of Year 11 students in 2006 has been received from Shropshire Connexions.

The breakdown is as follows:

93% continued in full time education,

4% started modern apprenticeships,

3% started employment.