Post-16 education and training opportunities

Find out more about the different pathways open to young people after year 11, different ways of learning and more detail about the courses on offer.

Further education colleges
Sixth form colleges
Independent training providers
School sixth forms
Apprenticeship vacancies
Specialist post-16 providers

1. Further education colleges

Further education colleges offer courses at all levels. They offer a curriculum linked to careers which will be growing in the future and destinations include apprenticeships, jobs and higher education, for example:

technical T Level qualifications which are designed with employers to provide industry specialist skills and knowledge
applied general vocational qualifications, such as BTECs
academic A-levels
GCSE resits
entry level programmes

List of further education colleges in the Leeds local authority area

Leeds Arts University (specialist Art and Design)
Leeds City College (General Further Education including Quarry Hill Campus, Printworks Campus, Park Lane Campus, Somerville House, North Street Centre)
Leeds College of Building (Specialist Construction including North Street Campus, South Bank Campus)

Further education colleges outside Leeds

Other further education colleges outside the Leeds area include:

2. Sixth form colleges

Sixth form colleges provide a wide range of courses, including academic (A-levels) and applied general vocational qualifications, such as BTECs at level 3 and level 2.

They also offer an independent learning environment, preparing students for university, apprenticeships, work or further education.

List of sixth form colleges in the Leeds local authority area

Sixth form colleges outside the Leeds area

Other sixth form colleges within region include:

3. Independent training providers

Independent training providers offer courses which are linked to career pathways, such as customer service, military preparation, childcare, and many more. They also offer employability and personal development programmes usually in smaller centres.

Courses start in September and many have flexible starts throughout the academic year. There are courses available at different levels, and you will be supported to choose a course that helps you progress in your chosen career, or make a career choice. Many training providers have great links with employers and may also offer apprenticeships.

List of independent training providers delivering in the Leeds local authority area

Study programmes

Forging Futures (construction)
Juniper Training (personal development, customer service, work skills, traineeships)
Learning Curve Group (military preparation / hair and beauty)
Lighthouse Futures Trust (supported internships)
NACRO (motor vehicle, construction multi skills, work ready)
SCL College (health and social care, business, retail)
Street League (sport, employability, English and maths)
YMCA (sports, fitness and coaching, childcare, health and social care, employability)

Short engagement programmes

King’s Trust (team programme and get into…)
SPEAR (skills and employability)

4. School sixth forms

Many schools have a sixth form with a range of academic A levels and vocational Level 3 Applied General (such as BTEC) qualifications (equivalent to A level). Some schools offer level 2 qualifications in subjects like sport and business.

Many schools with sixth forms accept applications from students moving from other schools.

List of schools with sixth forms in the Leeds local authority area

5. Apprenticeship vacancies

All apprenticeships are listed on GOV.UK. You can search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies across England. You can search by location, travel distance and the industry sector you would like to work in.

6. Specialist post-16 providers

The Leeds Local Offer links to local providers who offer a specialist provision for young people with Education Health and Care Plans.

Information about specialist post-16 settings and schools are on the Leeds Local Offer website.