Year 11 students have a variety of options upon graduating from MEA. Any students hoping to discuss their careers aspirations are welcome to contact Ms M Patel or Ms K Davidson to make a Careers Advice appointment. We also hold a Careers & Information Evening in the Autumn term, in which students can meet and talk to a range of external providers about their goals and how best to achieve them.
Pathways after Year 11
Apprentices train with experienced professionals while on the job, and receive a wage and statutory employee benefits. This is a great way for young people to specialise in an area that interests them and start their career at the same time. During training, young people learn job-specific skills and can continue to pursue apprenticeships at higher levels to become more highly qualified in their chosen area.
Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete, depending on their level. Entry requirements vary, but good English and Maths grades are essential; achieving GCSE grade 4 or above in these subjects will offer more choices.
For more information and advice about apprenticeships, see the links below:
Free Workshops & Webinars at Amazing Apprenticeships
For students aspiring to pursue post-16 education, there are many colleges in the Manchester area offering further academic study. Achieving higher academic qualifications like A Levels, IB (International Baccalaureate), or BTECs opens pathways to university and higher level study, and we aim to support every student with this aspiration. Below is a guide to the qualification ladder.
Many Colleges and Sixth Forms in the area offer Open Events for prospective students to visit and discuss their options, meet staff and current students, and get a sense of the community. Some colleges specialise in particular subjects, and we encourage students to reflect on where they might best achieve their goals.
Open Event Dates at Colleges in Greater Manchester
Download our College Application Guide below. This guide contains specific advice pertaining to applications to Loreto and Xaverian College, but can be useful for any application.
Some students may wish to go straight into employment after finishing at MEA. Our Careers Advisers are available to help Year 11 students explore this possibility, along with the best pathways they can take. The National Careers Service linked below is also a helpful resource for personalised careers advice and information.
Volunteering in the local community is an excellent way to add to students' CVs, as well as investigating fields or industries they might be interested in. It allows students to get a taste of what a place might be like to work in while gaining useful skills and experience.
Students who complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award will already have some volunteering experience as part of the Award.
Below are some useful links for more information on volunteering in Manchester.
Useful Links
Moving On is a fun and informative guide to the options for young people: apprenticeships, work experience, gap years, further education and higher education
Greater Manchester Higher Website