Beyond Sixth Form: Preparing for Your Next Steps

The Sixth Form years are an exciting time of growth, independence and possibility. They are also a time when students begin to look ahead, consider their ambitions and make important decisions about life beyond school.

Each route offers valuable opportunities when it is chosen with genuine purpose and self-knowledge.

At Lingfield College Sixth Form, students are supported to explore these options with confidence. The aim is not to encourage every student towards the same destination, but to help each young person understand their strengths, interests and aspirations so they can make an informed and ambitious choice.

This preparation begins well before results day. Through academic guidance, careers advice, enrichment, work experience, alumni insight and individual support, students are encouraged to think carefully about the future and the steps that will help them get there.

Choosing a pathway that feels right for you

There is no single pathway that suits every student. Some arrive in Sixth Form with a clear career or university course in mind. Others need time, experience and thoughtful guidance before their plans take shape. Both journeys are entirely normal.

A well-considered post-18 decision usually reflects a student’s individual combination of interests, strengths and ambitions. It may involve thinking about:

• the subjects and activities they genuinely enjoy
• the way they prefer to learn
• their academic strengths and personal qualities
• their longer-term career interests
• whether they want to continue studying full-time
• whether practical workplace experience appeals to them
• the level of independence for which they feel ready
• any personal, financial or location considerations

The strongest decisions are rarely rushed. They come from having the space to ask questions, compare options and understand what each route would involve in practice.

Lingfield’s Futures and Careers programme helps students do this carefully, with access to individual advice, practical workshops and experienced guidance throughout Sixth Form.

What are the main options after Sixth Form?

Students leaving Sixth Form now have a broader range of credible and respected choices than ever before. University remains a popular and valuable route, but it sits alongside several other pathways that can lead to highly successful futures.

1. University

University can provide the academic depth, independence and specialist qualifications required for many careers. For students who enjoy studying a subject in detail or who are aiming for a profession where a degree is essential, it can be a natural next step.

Choosing the right course is just as important as choosing the right institution. Students are encouraged to consider course content, teaching style, assessment methods, location, placement opportunities and graduate outcomes, rather than relying on reputation alone.

At Lingfield, students receive structured support throughout the UCAS process. Experienced form tutors and UCAS co-ordinators help students research courses, prepare applications and develop personal statements, while subject teachers contribute to detailed references.

Specialist guidance is also available for more complex application routes, including:

• Oxbridge
• Medicine
• Veterinary Science
• Dentistry
• universities overseas
• highly competitive or specialist courses

Lingfield students progress to a diverse range of institutions and subject areas, reflecting the School’s focus on finding the right destination for each individual rather than promoting one narrow definition of success. You can explore recent outcomes on the Results and Destinations page.

2. Apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships

Apprenticeships combine structured learning with paid employment. Depending on the programme, students may work towards professional qualifications or a university degree while gaining substantial workplace experience.

They can be particularly well suited to students who enjoy applying their knowledge in practical settings, are ready to enter a professional environment and want to build experience alongside qualifications.

Applications for leading degree apprenticeships are often highly competitive, and the process can resemble applying for a professional role. Students may be asked to complete online assessments, interviews, presentations or assessment centres, so preparation is important.

Lingfield supports students with apprenticeship research, CV writing, application techniques, interview preparation and networking skills. Former students have progressed into apprenticeships with organisations across finance, technology, engineering, policing and professional services.

Students can read more about this route in From A Levels to Apprenticeships: Exploring Your Post-18 Options.

3. Employment and school-leaver programmes

Some students are ready to move directly into employment after Sixth Form, particularly where a structured school-leaver programme offers professional training and clear progression.

This route can allow young people to gain early workplace experience, develop professional confidence and build sector-specific knowledge. It can also suit students who are keen to learn in a practical environment while progressing within an organisation.

Students considering employment need to understand how to present themselves professionally. A strong CV, thoughtful application and confident interview performance can make a significant difference.

Lingfield’s careers workshops include practical support with CV writing, interviews, online research and professional networking, helping students approach the employment market with greater confidence.

4. A purposeful gap year

A gap year can be a valuable option when it is planned with purpose. Some students use the time to travel, volunteer, work, improve language skills or gain experience that supports a future course or career.

The most successful gap years tend to give students greater independence, confidence or clarity before their next step. Before making this decision, students are encouraged to consider:

• what they hope to learn or achieve
• how the year will support their future plans
• what the year will cost
• whether they will work or volunteer
• how they will maintain academic or professional momentum
• when university, apprenticeship or employment applications need to be submitted

With thoughtful planning, a gap year can help a young person return to study or work with renewed focus and a stronger sense of direction.

5. Specialist, creative and professional pathways

Not every career begins with a traditional university degree. Students interested in areas such as art, design, performance, media, sport, the Armed Forces or specialist professional training may need to consider portfolios, auditions, practical assessments or industry-specific qualifications.

These routes often require early research because application timings and entry requirements can differ considerably. The right guidance helps students understand what is expected and gives them time to prepare properly.

Lingfield’s broad Sixth Form curriculum, including A Levels, BTECs and the Extended Project Qualification, allows students to shape a programme that reflects their interests and future plans.

How Lingfield helps students prepare

Strong post-18 planning is a gradual process. Students are encouraged to build their understanding through reflection, research, experience and conversation, supported by staff who know them well.

Exploring interests and strengths

Students are guided to think carefully about the subjects, projects and activities that hold their attention. Understanding why they enjoy certain areas can provide useful clues when comparing courses and careers.

They may be drawn to problem-solving, working with people, independent research, creative thinking, practical tasks, leadership, organisation or presenting ideas. These preferences help shape more meaningful conversations about the future.

Gaining experience

Work experience, volunteering, part-time employment and enrichment activities help students understand different environments more clearly. These experiences can confirm an interest, build confidence or help a student refine their plans before committing to a longer course or programme.

Learning from first-hand experience

Online research is useful, but speaking to people who have followed different pathways can make future choices feel more tangible.

Careers talks, university visits, employer events and conversations with former students can reveal what a course, apprenticeship or profession is really like.

Lingfield’s alumni community plays an important role in this process. Recent careers events have brought former pupils back to the School to discuss routes including degree apprenticeships, medicine, finance, fashion, policing and other professional sectors.

These conversations help students see that careers rarely follow one perfectly straight line, and that confidence often grows through exploration and experience.

Building transferable skills

Universities and employers look beyond examination grades. They also value independence, communication, time management, teamwork, resilience, leadership, critical thinking and initiative.

The Sixth Form years provide many opportunities to develop these qualities through academic study, sport, creative activities, volunteering, leadership positions and the wider enrichment programme.

The Extended Project Qualification can be especially valuable for students who want to develop independent research, organisation, analysis and presentation skills. More information is available on Lingfield’s EPQ page.

Individual guidance at every stage

Young people benefit from trusted guidance, calm reassurance and practical support as their ideas develop. At Lingfield, this support comes from staff who know students well, creating relationships built on genuine interest in their individual futures rather than one-size-fits-all advice.

At Lingfield, Sixth Formers have access to:

• a dedicated Careers Advisor with extensive recruitment experience
• one-to-one careers guidance
• experienced UCAS co-ordinators
• support from form tutors and subject teachers
• university and apprenticeship application advice
• specialist pathway guidance
• careers workshops and talks
• work experience support
• interview and CV preparation
• alumni insight and professional connections

This personalised approach helps students move from broad ideas towards a realistic and well-researched plan. It also means that each student’s achievements are considered alongside their personality, interests and aspirations.

The goal is not simply to secure a destination. It is to prepare each student to succeed when they arrive there.

Becoming ready for life beyond Lingfield

The transition beyond Sixth Form involves more than achieving the required grades. Students also need the confidence to manage greater independence, adapt to unfamiliar environments, build new relationships and take responsibility for their choices.

Lingfield Sixth Form is designed as a bridge between school and adult life. Greater freedom is balanced with close academic and pastoral support, allowing students to become more independent while still feeling known, guided and encouraged.

By the time they leave, students should feel equipped with:

• a clear understanding of their chosen pathway
• the skills needed to complete applications successfully
• realistic expectations about the next stage
• experience of working independently
• confidence in asking for advice
• the resilience to respond when plans change
• a sense of purpose beyond examination results

This combination of ambition, preparation and support helps students take their next steps with confidence.

Discover Lingfield College Sixth Form

The right Sixth Form should help students achieve strong academic outcomes—our students benefit from being in the top 2.5% of schools nationally for A Level progress-but it should also help them understand where those achievements could take them.

At Lingfield College, students benefit from small classes, personalised academic support, a broad curriculum and carefully structured careers guidance. They are encouraged to consider ambitious destinations while remaining open to the different routes through which success can be achieved.

Families interested in learning more are warmly invited to explore our Sixth Form or contact the Admissions team to arrange a visit.