School Leaver Information 2010
2010 School Leaving Date
Friday 25 June 2010 is the official school leaving date for all Yr11 pupils. This means that you cannot legally start full time work or training until after this date. This is the date that you put on application forms when it asks you when you will leave school. You will not be insured to work full time before this date, which puts you at risk and the employer would be employing you illegally.
Going to College or 6th Form.
Everyone should have applied by now! Late applications can still be sent to colleges. However – there’s no guarantee of being accepted on to first choices. If you have applied and not had an acknowledgement, contact the college directly, or see your Careers Teacher or Young People’s Worker. Colleges will invite you in for interview. You may be offered a conditional college place dependent on GCSE results.
GCSE Results Day
This will be on Tuesday 24 August 2010. Young People’s Workers may be in school to offer any help to those who need it. If you have not achieved your desired results, make an appointment to see your YPW or you could contact college. (Put their number on your mobile ‘phone!)
Enrolment commences in colleges from this date. College staff will be available in college to offer help.
Grants, Awards and Benefits
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will be available to eligible people on courses in school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and FE colleges including candidates on E2E (soon to undergo a name change).
This is means-tested funding of up to £30 per week paid directly to young people’s Bank account.
Application packs are available through school or from Young People’s Service from the end of April. Early application is encouraged. (http://ema.direct.gov.uk/)
Colleges also have Hardship Funds and may be able to offer further help (Apply early)
Jobs/Apprenticeships / work based training
You should have already applied for Apprenticeships and been invited for Genesys assessments and interview. If you have not applied anywhere yet and still wish to do so, see your Young People’s Worker. If you are still looking for work after leaving school you should call in to your local Young People’s Centre and register that you are looking for work. You will be offered advice and have access to all local vacancies.
Child Benefit
Parents/guardians can claim Child Benefit if
1. You are aged 16, 17 or 18 and still in full time education up to “A” level or Nat Dip or equivalent
2. You are aged 16 or 17, have recently left school and are registered for work or training at the Young People’s Centre
Your parent/guardian must apply in writing on form reference CH299 for a further 20 week extension but you must be registered with the Young People’s Service otherwise the money will stop and this will lead to potential conflict at home!
Child benefit from the Government
Help Desk for Child Benefit: 0845 3021444
National Insurance Numbers
You should receive this around your 16th birthday. You will need this number when you start work. Keep it safe. If you haven’t received it, contact the Benefits Agency. Telephone 0845 3021479 www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/ni_number.asp
Income Tax
Personal Allowance before paying tax is around £5435 per year. As you will not be working a full year it is unlikely that anyone will be paying this to begin with. The financial year runs from April to March.
Unsure about what to do or changed your mind?
Contact the Young People’s Service! We are here to help!
See your Young People’s Worker if there’s anything you’re not sure about .
Young People’s Centres are open all Summer and will be there to offer support, advice and guidance on a range of issues right through until your 20th birthday.
All young people under 18 have a right, under legislation, to have time off for study or training.
Contact us at your local Young People’s Service Centre. The details are given below.
| Accrington | Burnley | Blackburn |
|---|---|---|
| The Old Bank | 9-11 Hall Street | St John’s Court |
| 8a Whalley Road | Burnley | Ainsworth Street |
| Accrington | BB11 1QJ | Blackburn |
| BB5 1AA | 01282 478600 | BB1 6AR |
| 01254 393316 | 01254 267780 |
Best wishes and good luck for the future!
Year 10 Work Experience Parents Evening
Work Experience Placements: 28 June – 2 July 2010
This is an important part of the Key Stage 4 curriculum and so I invite you to a briefing meeting on Thursday 14th January 2010 from 7.00p.m. to 8.00 p.m. in the school’s Drama Complex.
Year 10 pupils will be learning about what work experience can involve for them, what they might achieve through it and how to complete documentation during coaching periods and assemblies in January.
The programme for 14th January is as follows:
- A presentation outlining the objectives and logistical details of the work experience placements including pictures of pupils on placement.
- An account of the employer’s view of work experience by an employer involved last year
- The opportunity to question two Year 11 pupils who took part in work experience last year
You will be given a pack containing copies of the work experience documentation at the end of the meeting including available placements and advice on securing other placements.
I do hope that you will be able to attend this meeting. Letters with return slips are being sent home with pupils.
Yours sincerely
Virginia Crewe
IAG Co-ordinator
Careers Convention 2009
The school’s Careers Convention 2009 held on 19th January was attended by over 1200 pupils and 5 times as many parents as in previous years. Representatives from 21 colleges, sixth forms and training providers provided information and advice. Said Mrs Crewe, Acting Assistant Head:” It was a very busy day and we might look at a slightly larger venue next year. Pupils had been briefed in Coaching lessons and asked lots of questions. Teachers and post 16 providers were all at risk of losing their voices by the end of the day!”
The Careers Convention was combined with a “Trial Exam Results Day,”
organised by Mr Barker. Year 11 pupils received their trial exam results on a slip of pape just like they will do in August on the real results day, and then had to see if colleges etc. would accept them with their results.
Careers Convention
Our careers convention takes place on Monday 19th January 2009. Doors are open from 8.30am until 3.10pm, and all parents are welcome to attend. The event takes place in the Drama Complex and is a great opportunity for pupils to find out about the courses available to them and discover all the pathways which can lead you to their chosen career.
The following Post 16 providers will be on hand to offer information and guidance:
- Young People’s Service Advisors
- Accrington & Rossendale College
- Accrington Academy
- Army: Armed Forces Careers Office
- Blackburn College
- British Nuclear Fuels Westinghouse Ltd
- Burnley College
- Craven College
- Dunbia
- Myerscough College
- Nelson & Colne College
- North Lancs Training Group
- Preston College
- Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School
- Royal Navy and Marines
- St Christopher’s C of E High School
- St Mary’s College
- St Wilfrid’s C E High School
- Training 2000
- University of Central Lancashire
- RAF Careers Office
Year 10 Mock Interviews
The mock interviews, scheduled for year 10 pupils tomorrow, Friday 5th December, will be taking place as planned. Year 10 pupils are urged to spend the extra time off school today, Thursday, preparing for this!
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