Post-16 Transitions

There are a number of options for young people following Year 11 of School, including further education, apprenticeships and supported internships.

There is no Further Education College or school 6^th Form on the islands, so you are likely to consider mainland colleges and schools, including state boarding and private.

You will need to find living accommodation. This can be a private arrangement with a host family or family member, there may be accommodation available through a College or boarding at school.

If you are at Five Islands Academy you have access to careers information and a careers adviser. Five Islands School Careers Advice  

If you are home educated, please contact Children and Family Services to access information, advice and guidance.  Email [email protected] or phone 0300 1234 105 option 5.

The Council of the Isles of Scilly Children and Family Services administer a travel and accommodation grant from the Education Funding Authority for those moving into years 12 and 13. This can be used for post 16 education.  Please note that this grant has a fixed maximum amount and may not cover all costs.

For up-to-date information on grants for Post 16 students please visit the Council of the Isles of Scilly website.

If you have any other questions regarding the Post 16 Travel & Accommodation grant, please contact Children and Family Services Administrator Telephone: 0300 1234 105, option 5 or email: [email protected].

There is more information on choices at 16+ in the Cornwall Opportunities Youth Hub. 

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are open to people of any age. It is possible to undertake an apprenticeship on the islands. However, it is best to start planning early.

You will need to identify an employer and discuss your ideas with them. They will need to be willing to employ and pay you as an apprentice.

Some apprenticeships require one day a week at college e.g., beauty, construction, electrical engineering. Some can be delivered online e.g., accounting, digital marketing. Others are delivered by block release e.g., Land based engineering at Bicton College, Countryside Ranger at Bridgwater and Taunton College.

Course fees are usually covered by the employer.

If you are progressing into year 12, 13 or in some cases year 14, you may be eligible for a travel and accommodation grant. For further information on travel and accommodation grants for Post 16 Students please see previous section and the link on this page.  

If you are over 19 years of age there is no travel and accommodation grant to support you. Sometimes there is other funding available. To find out more please contact Learn Scilly [email protected] or phone 01720 424444.  

More information on apprenticeships is available here.  

Full-time Further Education

Further education includes any study after secondary education that’s not part of higher education (a degree).  This can include T Levels, BTEC's and A Levels.  It is often considered a bridge between compulsory education and higher education, or the workforce.

If you are under 19 see our information above on travel and accommodation grants and via the link on this page.  

If you are over 19 there is no travel and accommodation grant available to you.  So you may wish to consider online options or hybrid options (some attendance at college with learning available online or via video conferencing).

You can search for further education courses using the Cornwall Opportunities Course Search.  

Supported Internships

Supported Internships are work based learning placements within mainstream employment settings for 16-24 year olds who have an Education, Health and Care Plan. The aim is to secure paid employment at the end of the placement. Placements should last over six months and normally would be at least 20 hours per week.

Each intern is supported by a trained job coach who can assist in all aspects of the placement and act as a mediator between the placement and young person and their family as required.  This is not a 1:1, but a mentor and coach. Support will be individually determined at an appropriate level and can taper as confidence and skills develop and can increase if required.

We are in the process of setting up and facilitating a Supported Internship programme on the Isles of Scilly.  This will add a further option to our menu of choices for our young people, post-16.

If you would like further information on any aspect of Supported Internships, please contact Children & Family Services by email: [email protected]

The Cornwall Opportunities Supported Internships page also has further information. 

SEND

The Isles of Scilly Local Offer website has resources and information for parents, carers and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.  The Preparing for Adulthood section has a focus on opportunities for young people.

The Isles of Scilly Local Offer website

Higher Education

There is no higher education institution on the islands. If you are considering studying while living and or working on the islands, you may wish to explore degrees available to study online.

The best known of these is the Open University but there are many other options, sometimes available through traditional universities.

Explore The Open University and Distance Learning Portal.  

You may also want to consider higher level apprenticeships which can sometimes be delivered online e.g., management.

Find out more about Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.

Adult Education and Lifelong Learning

Learn Scilly is the local adult education provider for the islands. They offer a range of recreational and vocational courses, as well as basic English, maths and ICT qualifications which can be delivered from entry level up to level 2 (equivalent to GCSE). The class sizes are often small or one to one.

The range of courses that Learn Scilly is able to deliver is limited.  However, the team work closely with partners on the mainland and are able to signpost you to alternative provision to suit your needs. 

There may also be funding or government initiatives that you can access, please contact Learn Scilly for more information.