Vocational Pathway
As an alternative to general qualifications such as GCSEs, AS/A2 levels (A levels) and the International Baccalaureate (IB), another available route is the Vocational Pathway. This route is particularly useful for students who have a clear idea of where their future lies, either in a specific career or in a broader career area.
Choosing the Vocational Pathway may reduce your options, so it is not necessarily a good route for students who are interested in a wide range of different careers or for students who have no clear career ideas yet.
Typical vocational qualifications available in Sunderland include NVQs (covering a specific career) and BTEC qualifications (covering a broader career area), and courses last either one or two years, depending on the level studied.
In Sunderland, students can choose from a wide range of vocational courses. These are available at Sunderland College and at Sixth Form Centres at the three Catholic Schools in the city.
Sunderland College
Telephone 0191 511 6000
Sunderland College has six sites which have been developed in partnership with the city’s secondary schools, and all of these sites offer vocational courses, namely:
Bede Sixth Form Academy
Bede Centre, Durham Road, Sunderland, SR3 4AH
Vocational subjects offered:
Applied Medical Science
Business
Childcare (Children's Learning and Development)
Customer Service and Retail
Health and Social Care
ICT
Sport and Exercise Science
Sport Development and Coaching
The Headways Sixth Form Centre
Humbledon Building, Bede Centre, Durham Road, Sunderland, SR3 4AH
Vocational subjects offered:
Business
Childcare (Children's Learning and Development)
Health and Social Care
ICT
Sport and Exercise Science
Hylton Skills Campus
North Hylton Road, Sunderland, SR5 5DB
Vocational subjects offered:
Basic Construction Crafts
Beauty Therapy
Brickwork
Catering (Chefs' Programme)
Construction (Management and Design)
Electrical Installation
Hairdressing / Barbering
Hairdressing and Beauty
Hotel Management
Joinery
Motor Vehicle Body Repair and Paint Operations
Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
Painting and Decorating
Plastering
Entry Level Programme (ELP)
This is for applicants who have no GCSEs and need to begin with the basics. You will also get the opportunity to study a number of different vocational areas, for example Business Administration, Catering, Health and Social Care, ICT, Practical Crafts (Bricklaying/Motor Vehicle/Painting and Decorating), Retail, and Sport and Leisure.
Foundation Learning Programme (was Vocational Studies/Next Steps Programme)
Do you wish to develop your employment skills, IT skills, reading and writing skills? You can study modules such as Art and Design, Business Administration, Care, Hairdressing, Horticulture, and Sport, plus many more. You need no formal entry requirements. You would just need an interview.
St Peter’s Sixth Form College
Charles Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, SR6 0AN
Vocational subject offered:
Travel and Tourism
Shiney Row Campus
Success Road, Philadelphia, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 4TL
Vocational subjects offered:
Art and Design
Beauty Therapy
Dance
Drama
Engineering
Graphic Design
Hairdressing
Interactive Media
Music Practice
Performing Arts
Foundation Learning Programme (was Vocational Studies/Next Steps Programme)
Do you wish to develop your employment skills, IT skills, reading and writing skills? You can study modules such as Art and Design, Business Administration, Care, Hairdressing, Horticulture, and Sport, plus many more. You need no formal entry requirements. You would just need an interview.
Usworth Sixth Form College
Stephenson Road, Washington, NE37 2NH
Vocational subjects offered:
Business
Childcare (Children's Learning and Development)
Health and Social Care
ICT
IT Practitioners (Systems Support)
Public (and Uniformed) Services
Sport and Exercise Science
How to apply to any of the college sites
Application forms can be found in the centre of the college's 'School Leavers Guide 2010-11', available in all schools and Connexions Centres.
On-line applications can be made by visiting the college's website.
Places on courses are offered on a first come, first served basis, so it is best to start applying to college as early as possible in Year 11, rather than waiting until you have left school.
Applications should be made for just one site only. If you are unsure which site to choose, apply to the one that runs your chosen course or to the site closest to your home address. Your choice of site can be changed when you attend your interview, or even at a later date by telephone. Multiple applications from the same person for different sites will not be accepted.
Sixth Form Centres at Catholic Schools in Sunderland
Over 1,000 students from all over the city follow their Sixth Form studies at the Sixth Form Centres in the city’s three Catholic Schools. Applications are welcomed from students from all parts of the city who wish to pursue their studies in the environment of a school Sixth Form.
The three Sixth Forms have an excellent reputation for high academic standards, and a wide range of subjects is available. Their strong tutorial system and friendly atmosphere are important in creating this success. This care and support stem from the Catholic ethos of the Sixth Forms, which helps to provide a nurturing environment for their students. There are excellent transport links to the three Sixth Forms - by public transport to St Aidan's and St Anthony's (located near the city centre) and by special buses from all over the city to St Robert's.
Vocational subjects are offered at all three Catholic Schools:
St Aidan's RC School
Willow Bank Road, Ashbrooke, Sunderland SR2 7HJ
Telephone 0191 553 6073
Fax 0191 553 6077
St Aidan's is located near to the city centre and its Sixth Form Centre caters for boys only. A number of courses are operated in partnership with the Sixth Form Centre, which is located at the Briery Site on Ashbrooke Road. A wide range of extra-curricular activities is also offered. There are currently over 270 students in the Sixth Form.
Vocational subjects offered:
Applied Art
Applied Business
Applied ICT
Applied Science
BTEC National in Sports
Although preference is given to students in Year 11 at St Aidan's, applications are invited from boys currently attending other schools in the city.
St Aidan's Sixth Form Open Evening is usually held about the middle of January each year.
Prospectuses and application forms are available from the school. Please contact the Sixth Form Manager at the school for any further information.
St Anthony's Girls' School
Thornhill Terrace, Sunderland SR2 7JN
Telephone 0191 553 7700
Fax 0191 553 7699
St Anthony's is located close to Sunderland city centre and its Sixth Form caters for girls only. A number of courses are operated in partnership with the Sixth Form at St Aidan's. The school has two separate Sixth Form centres, located in Gabriel House and Somerleyton House, and offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities. There are currently over 300 girls in the Sixth Form.
Vocational subject offered:
BTEC First in Business
This Vocational Pathway combines studying for a BTEC First qualification in Business with gaining experience of the world of work through a work placement for one day each week throughout the year, with the possibility of achieving an NVQ qualification, and regular visits to local businesses.
Although preference is given to students in Year 11 at St Anthony's, applications are invited from girls currently attending other schools in the city.
St Anthony's Sixth Form Open Evening is usually held about the middle of January each year.
Prospectuses and application forms are available from the school. Please contact the Head of Sixth Form at the school for any further information.
St Robert of Newminster Sixth Form College
Biddick Lane, Washington NE38 8AF
Telephone 0191 219 3810
Fax 0191 219 3815
St Robert's is located in Biddick Lane, Washington and its Sixth Form College caters for both male and female students. The Sixth Form has close links with the Sixth Forms at St Aidan's and St Anthony's and with Sunderland College. The Sixth Form moved into its newly-built centre in September 2004. A wide range of extra-curricular opportunities is also offered. The Sixth Form is one of the largest in the country, with currently about 550 students.
Vocational subjects offered:
Engineering BTEC Level 3
Health & Social Care Advanced level
ICT Level 2/Advanced level
Leisure and Tourism Advanced level
Retail BTEC Level 2
Although preference is given to students in Year 11 at St Robert's, applications are invited from Year 11 students currently attending other schools in the city. Over half of the current Sixth Form students come from other schools.
St Robert's Sixth Form Open Evening is usually held about the middle of January each year.
Prospectuses and application forms are available from the school. Please contact the Director of Sixth Form at the school for any further information.