In and around Staffordshire, there are a range of educational opportunities for children aged between 13 and 19 years of age, all of which can lead to valuable qualifications and give your child access to further learning at college or university, an apprenticeship or a job.
Your child’s school has a statutory duty to ensure your child is given impartial careers guidance to inspire them to fulfil their potential and make them aware of all opportunities open to them.
Visit the Careers and Participation website to find out more about these opportunities.
University technical colleges (UTCs)
When your child is in Year 8 or Year 9, one of these opportunities is to consider applying for a place at a University Technical College (UTC).
Each UTC is backed by employers and a local university who work with staff to develop a curriculum that gives students first-hand experience of what life is like after school. They operate a longer school day than most schools with days typically starting at 8:30am and ending at 5:00pm.
UTCs offer a similar curriculum to a typical 11-18 secondary school, including the basics of English and maths, as well as one or two specialist technical subjects and generally serve an area which extends across a number of local authorities.
The following is a list of UTCs in and around Staffordshire.
- Aston University Engineering Academy, Birmingham. B7 4AG (0121 3800572) - normal age of entry is Year 9
- Birmingham Ormiston Academy Birmingham. B4 7QD (0121 359 9300) - normal age of entry is Year 10
- Crewe Engineering and Design UTC, Crewe. CW1 2PZ (01270 218150) - normal age of entry of Year 10
- JCB Academy, Rocester. (Engineering and/or Business) ST14 5JX (01889 506100) - normal age of entry is Year 9
- UTC, Derby. DE24 8ZS (01332 640011) - normal age of entry is Year 9
- WMG Academy for Young Engineers (Solihull) B37 5FD (0121 289 3556) - normal age of entry is Year 9
You may also find the information provided on the UT Colleges website helpful in learning more about UTCs.
Studio schools
Studio Schools are a new type of school for 14-19 year olds. They have employer involvement in the curriculum and teach through enterprise projects and real work so that learning is rooted in real-life and students develop the skills employers value.
They are generally small schools of around 300 pupils, have year round opening and a 9-5 working day.
The following is a list of Studio Schools closest to Staffordshire.
- Walsall Studio School, Walsall WS1 1RL (01530 519099) - normal age of entry of Year 10
- Waverley Studio College, Birmingham. B9 5SW (0121 566 6622) - normal age of entry is Year 10
To help inform your decision on whether a UTC or studio school is the right choice for your child, you may wish to speak to your current school’s careers leader to discuss their options and opportunities for progression.
If you decide that you would like to apply for a place at any of the above schools, you will need to complete an application directly with the school you are interested in.
Please contact them directly to get more information about their individual admissions process.
Careers information, advice and guidance is crucial to help people to develop the skills and experience that they need to achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career.
You may also wish to supplement that provided through school by making use of the National Careers ServiceThe site includes a range of information about different careers and Post 16 learning options, as well as details on how to speak to an adviser via web chat and the helpline. There is also useful information available on the Youth Unemployment website
Applying for a UTC or studio school place
If you decide that you would like to apply for a place at any of the above, you will need to complete an application directly with the UTC/Studio School you are interested in.