Year 11 Information

Summer Exams 2024

Please click here to view the Yr11 exam timetable for Summer 2024 

SJT6 Information

SJT6 is an eight-week program which involves selected students attending after school sessions. The sessions are delivered by expert teachers to support students in achieving their potential in their final exams.  

The sessions are delivered in small groups so that students can get the help and support they need. Part of the program involves attending 1 Super Saturday event. This session will cover revision skills, how to revise effectively and subject specific revision too to prepare for your mock exams. If a student has been invited to attend SJT6, we ask for a commitment to attend all of the sessions.  Unfortunately, these sessions cannot be offered to everyone in year 11. We have prioritised students who we feel will benefit the most.

Below is the timetable for SJT6 starting February 2024

Year 11 Personal Revision Planner - November 2023 

The aim of the personal revision planner is to give students specific subjects to revise for in the run up to the assessments which will be in the weeks of 11th – 21st December 2023. There is an exam timetable printed in this planner. All students will receive a paper copy, but please click on the link below to view an electronic copy. 

Year11 Personal Revision Planner 

Sir John Thursby Community College Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance

Please take time to look at the 2022 Lancashire KS4 transition booklet outlining all the different options available to you when you leave.  Please click on the link below to view the booklet.

• KS4 transition booklet

Preparing for life beyond Year 11

 We’re going to look at some of the options you have when you leave Sir John Thursby. Legally, you must be in some education or training for two years, so it’s important that you choose the right thing – we want you to really enjoy your course or apprenticeship!

 What Post-16 Options are available?

Providers: You have a choice of three main types of post-16 provider:

• Sixth Forms only offer A Levels. They are often more ‘school-like’, smaller and provide more structure.
• Colleges can offer A Levels, T Levels, Vocational/Technical courses and Apprenticeships but all are different. It is important to check that the place you want to go offers the course you want! They tend to be larger, but offer you more independence.
• Training Providers only offer Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

 Courses: There are four main types of course you can choose from after Year 11. You will only choose one, though it is always sensible to think about your ‘back-up’ option too

A Levels                               T Levels                             Vocational / Technical                                Apprenticeship

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A Levels

• Can be studied in either sixth form or college.
• You choose 3-4 subjects, which tend to be more ‘traditional’.
• They are mainly theory-based, have less practical work and are assessed by exam at the end of the second year.
• They are a good way to keep studying more than one subject.
• You have to be prepared to work hard independently to keep up with the workload.

 A Level subjects include:

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 T Levels are new!

• You choose 1 main subject, but can often specialise in year 2.
• 80% time in college, 20% on work placement.
• They are assessed by exam, coursework and practical.
• They have been developed with employers to help you be productive in the workplace and learn relevant skills.

From September 2022 the subject available at T-levels locally are;

• Business & Administration
• Construction
• Digital production, design & development
• Education & Childcare
• Engineering
• Health
• Healthcare Science 

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 Vocational/ Technical

• You choose 1 subject, which leads into a work area.
• They are assessed mainly by ongoing coursework, with some exams and some practical work.
• They are done in a college.
• There is often an element of work placement to help you put your skills into practice.

Examples of these courses are:

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 Apprenticeship

• You choose 1 subject.
• You go to work – a real job – for 80% of your time. Off the job training is 20%. This often (but not always) means 4 days in work, 1 day in college.
• You are paid! But you don’t get school holidays
• They are done with an employer in conjunction with a college or training provider.
• The application process is more difficult as you will also have interviews with employers.
• They are a brilliant option if you are sure about the industry you want to work in - they are not a good option if you aren’t certain!

Apprenticeship opportunities can be found in: 

How do you progress?

• You can progress to university after any Level 3 course. Different universities have different entry requirements, so it’s important to check details with ucas.com (search undergraduate courses)
• You can progress to Higher or Degree Apprenticeships after any Level 3 course. On a degree apprenticeship, your employer pays your university tuition fees!
• You can go directly into work when you have completed 2 years of study.
• If you start on a lower level of course, you can keep working up until you complete Level 3.
• It would be a good idea to continue to complete Level 3 as this will help you in a competitive employment market.

 In summary:

 Your GCSE grades may affect which courses you can apply for. We are in an uncertain time, which can make looking at the grades you might need worrying. Obviously, we want you to continue to work as hard as you can so that you get the best possible grades you can. It basically means you can start at a higher level before you progress into your adult life. Remember, though, there are different levels of many courses, so there is an option to suit every one.

 YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE ANY FINAL DECISIONS YET!

 Take the time now to think about:

• What type of course might suit you best
• Where you might like to study
• What your back-up option might be

 Remember:

If you’re unsure about your options, how to choose a college or course or anything about your future speak to Mrs Starr available every day or Mrs Whitehead during your IAG interview.

Email: r.starr@sirjohnthursby.lancs.sch.uk