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Scroll through the information on this page to find out:
where our local sixth forms, colleges and apprenticeship providers are
advice on choosing courses and making applications.
Sixth Form
Sixth Form
Wheatley Park Sixth Form offers a wide choice of A-Level subjects and a couple of vocational Level 3 courses. You can find out more about the courses offered and the grades you need to get onto them here
The deadline for applications to Wheatley Park Sixth Form is 27th January 2025.
The deadline for applications to Wheatley Park Sixth Form is 27th January 2025.
You can also choose to go to another school sixth form if you want to.
The other school sixth forms are:
Cheney School, Headington, OX3 7PH
Greyfriars, Cricket Road, OX4 3DR
Lord Williams, Thame - 280 bus from Wheatley
Oxford Spires Academy, Glanville Road, OX4 2AU
The Cherwell School, Marston Ferry Road, OX27 7EE
The Oxford Academy, Littlemore, OX4 6J2
There are also independent sixth forms and colleges which are usually fee paying. They are listed here
There are also independent sixth forms and colleges which are usually fee paying. They are listed here
Colleges
Colleges
Colleges offer vocational courses. These are courses linked to a specific career areas so include subjects like health and social care, engineering and hairdressing.
Oxford College also offer A'Levels and a GCSE retake year.
Our nearest colleges are:
(click on the college name to go to their website)
City of Oxford College with sites in the city centre and Blackbird Leys. They are part of Activate Learning. Open Events
Aylesbury College. This is part of the Buckinghamshire College Group so select Aylesbury when you first go to their website. Open Events
Abingdon and Witney College with sites in Abingdon and Witney. Open Events.
Pegasus Theatre which offers Level 3 Professional Acting.
Velocity Football based at Oxford City ground in Marston, Velocity offers sports courses.
To apply you need to book a place on an open event and after you have attended this they will send you the application form.
EMBS is a community college based in Cowley. They offer some GCSEs, Functional Skills and Level 1 vocational courses.
TRAX offer Level 1 vocational courses and some GCSEs.
Further afield:
Berkshire College of Agriculture (Maidenhead with a pick up bus from Thame)
Banbury and Bicester College, also part of Activate Learning
Procision Football Academy in Abingdon
UTC Oxfordshire in Didcot
Beaconsfield Institute of Performing Arts: 4 days per week in Aylesbury and 1 day per week in Beaconsfield.
College Open Days: click on the college website link above or collect flyers from the library or careers room.
It is really important that you visit and find out as much as you can about any school or college that you thinking of applying to check that it the right option for you.
Application deadline dates for colleges:
Our internal deadline for all college applications is January 2025. After this date colleges can not guarantee that you will be offered places on your chosen course.
How to choose A Levels or college courses
How to choose A Levels or college courses
Choose subjects you genuinely enjoy and do well in. Whether you choose A Levels or a vocational course you will spend a large part of your week studying them - you need to make sure you are going to enjoy it! For most courses, it will get harder next year, so as well as enjoying your subject you need to feel confident that it is a subject you will do well in.
2. Ensure you have read and understood the course outline and topics for any subject you are considering.
3. Do you have ideas about what career or university course you may like to do? Are there certain subjects that you will need to take?
4. If you would like course suggestions, use Morrisby Careers for ideas for A Levels or college courses that you might be interested in.
5. Talk with the Careers Adviser about combinations of subjects that could suit you.
To find out more about where these courses could lead you and what you might need for university, use the resources on the Thinking about University page here.
To find out more about where these courses could lead you and what you might need for university, use the resources on the Thinking about University page here.
The application process
The application process
Consider all options open to you and visit school and college open days and tasters - you can attend as many as you like but you will usually be asked to register on the institution’s website to say you are planning to attend.
Find out how your chosen schools or colleges want you to apply and if they have a closing date for applications. Our internal deadlines are mentioned above.
You will be asked for an interview and possibly to attend an audition, a taster session, a test or to bring a portfolio depending upon your course choice. You may also be asked to bring a school report.
Once you have had your interview the school or college will decide whether to offer you a place. They will let you know what GCSE grades, or other requirements, they want you to achieve before confirming your place following the GCSE results.
Questions to ask at Sixth Form and College open days and interviews
Questions to ask at Sixth Form and College open days and interviews
What modules or units will I be studying?
Will I be in school or college every day of the week?
What links do you have with employers or industry?
What have previous students progressed on to when they have left this course?
Will I be able to do work experience as part of this course? Do you help students to find placements?
Do I have to pay for anything on this course? equipment? trips?
What happens if I do not get the grades I need?
Is there a uniform I need to wear?
Is there any financial support to study this course?
Do all students finish and pass the course?
Apprenticeships and employment options
Apprenticeships and employment options
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a structured training programme in a specific career area. Apprentices have real jobs, get paid and attend college or a training centre. A typical week could be four days in work and one day in college.
Apprenticeships are offered in many careers sectors and are available from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) to Level 6 and 7 (university level) - so you could choose to do an apprenticeship after GCSEs or after sixth form or college.
Apprenticeships can be competitive to find so if you thinking of this option as your first choice you should always have a Plan B incase you can not find one.
Find out more about apprenticeships on the Amazing Apprenticeships webpage.
FInd an apprenticeship by looking on the government site here.
Traineeships
Traineeships
A Traineeship is a course with work experience that helps young people get ready for work or an apprenticeship. Traineeships can last from 6 weeks to 6 months and can offer additional help with Maths and English if needed.
You can find out more here
Work with training
Work with training
You could also find employment with structured training offered by the employer, which would be offered in a different way to an apprenticeship.
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