The aim of Careers Education at Winterton Community Academy is to provide students with the information and skills to choose the best possible route for themselves when they leave Winterton Community Academy.
Careers Education is delivered through tutorial and through the curriculum. It is developed further at Key Stage 4 when all students will be given guidance and support in making a smooth transition to further education, training or an apprenticeship. Winterton Community Academy will be doing this with the help of external trained advisors. Students are recommended to still speak to their form tutors, Head of Year and/or the Careers Lead about options that they are considering post 16.
Knowledge of what is available to your child is vitally important in making the correct decision. Accompanying your child to college open evenings is really useful in achieving this and gives you an idea as to what is available.
Most of all, be supportive and research all potential options! We are here to help but this decision is about the option that best suits the students for the future.
Year 11 college applications
Applications need to be complete and sent by February half term at the very latest. If parents wish to help with applications the application forms for colleges can be found in the links below. This can be submitted from home.
If parents would like additional information they are also welcome to contact Mrs Dalowsky by email: dalowsky.a@wintertonca.com or through the School Reception
Applications for apprenticeships
It is important not to miss the deadlines as there is a lot of competition for each apprenticeship. Use the links below to look for apprenticeships available in the area or further afield.
If parents would like additional information they are welcome to contact Mrs Dalowsky by email or through the School Reception.
Year 9 option choices
Choosing subject options before GCSEs can be an opportunity to start having conversations with your children about potential options after school. If your child would like some support in choosing subjects, please encourage them to speak to their form tutor or to Mrs Dalowsky. If parents would like additional information about how GCSE choices can impact on post-16 options, they are also welcome to contact Mrs Dalowsky by email: dalowsky.a@wintertonca.com or Mr Featherstone by email: featherstone.r@wintertonca.com.
University or Apprenticeship: what will be best for my child?
This can often be a tricky question for teachers to answer because we opted to go to University. At the moment, tuition fees are costing in excess of £9,000 per year and so swapping to paid apprenticeships is a decision that many young people are making. In 2020 the average salary of an apprentice is £18,662 (RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk).
At the end of an apprenticeship, your child will not be guaranteed a job, but approximately 90% of apprentices go into work or further training. Two thirds of apprentices stay with the same initial employer.
On the other hand, in England, students only start to repay tuition fees once they are earning more than £27,000 (as of April 2021). Repayment looks like this:
Example 1: You’re paid weekly and your income changes each week. This week your income was £600, which is over the Plan 2 weekly threshold of £511.Your income was £89 over the threshold (£600 minus £511). You will pay back £8 (9% of £89) this week.
Example 2: Your annual income is £28,800 and you are paid a regular monthly wage. This means that each month your income is £2,400 (£28,800 divided by 12). This is over the Plan 2 monthly threshold of £2,214.Your income is £186 over the threshold (£2,400 minus £2,214). You will pay back £16 (9% of £186) each month.
The repayment of fees will be done through your child’s future employer, and is deducted from their salary in the same way that National Insurance is.
Repaying your student loan (thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk)
Contact
Name: Mrs A Dalowsky
Email: dalowsky.a@wintertonca.com
Telephone: 01724 732777