CTC Kingshurst Academy: Post 16 Courses

Post 16 Courses

Kingshurst offers students a wide range of opportunities to expand their knowledge and pursue personal interests at post-16 level.

The International Baccalaureate

Having delivered the highly prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma since 1991, as one of the first state school to do so, the college has a proven track record of successfully making this alternative to 'A' Levels accessible to many hundreds of state sector students. With a broad subject base and avoidance of the need to 'narrow down' before deciding on a university course or career, IB students appreciate both the flexibility and enriching aspects of the course. In addition to six academic subjects students have the opportunity to sustain sporting and community activities as well as completing a 'Theory of Knowledge' philosophical course and mini-dissertation in the form of an 'Extended Essay'.

Kingshurst students also find the international nature of the qualification extremely rewarding and trips abroad, to as far flung places as Zambia, Ecuador and Iceland, plus annual participation in the Student League of Nations at the UN in Geneva, are integrated into the international curriculum, along with the opportunity to forge links with fellow IB students abroad.

Click here to download the IB Course Handbook*

BTEC

BTEC stands for Business and Technology Educational Council and is a vocational qualification. The BTEC National can be used to gain entry into Higher Education or as a foundation career. BTEC courses have been offered for many years and are widely recognised by employers and Higher Education Institutions and professional organisations. There are a NVQ level 3 qualification and provide the equivalent to 3 traditional A-levels. A BTEC National qualification is based upon a Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria.

Commitment: All courses require full-time attendance. In addition some courses have day release/block placements commitment as a mandatory requirement of the course.

Work Experience: Students complete a period of Work Experience of at least 2 weeks. For some courses there is a structured Work Experience programme, including day and block release.

Assessment: Assessment will either be internal, through a teacher-assessed portfolio, through placements and through an externally marked project. All internal assessment will be subject to internal moderation and by the awarding body.

Units offered: Each course offers compulsory and optional units and students complete 18 units over the course of 2 years at College. For optional units the College selects appropriate units for the course and therefore not all optional units in this booklet will be offered every year. The course co-ordinator for each course can give you more details on units offered.

Requirements: Students require either 4 or more A*-C GCSE grades or equivalent, preferably including Mathematics and English.

Click here to download the BTEC Course Handbook*

The Advanced Diploma in Hospitality

There are many sectors in the hospitality industry including hotels, restaurants, leisure, events, public houses, and contract food services. Many new job opportunities are being created every day, and there is a shortage of skilled staff.

What Will I Learn?

The Advanced Diploma in Hospitality will give you a taste of the huge range of opportunities, jobs and career paths offered by the industry. You may discover a passion for travel, enjoy cooking exotic food, or even become a top chef in a hotel or restaurant. You will look at the impact of the hospitality industry on the UK economy and the importance of people skills within business and with colleagues. You will also explore how food and beverages are prepared and served to customers including food safety and food from other cultures. The Advanced Diploma will also cover important business and financial practices where you will learn everything from budgeting and planning to financial control and marketing.

What Else Will I Study?

You will develop your skills in catering by taking specialist courses in International Cuisine, Food Hygiene and you will learn a wide range of culinary arts.

Will I Do Work Experience?

The Advanced Diploma in Hospitality will give you the opportunity to complete a work placement one day per week in the Hospitality sector during the first year of the course.

Where Will I Study?

The CTC Kingshurst Academy

What Are The Entry Requirements?

Students should have achieved:

A minimum of 5 GCSE passes (or equivalent) at Grade C and above including English, Maths. A GCSE or BTEC First pass in Business Studies, Food Technology, Hospitality and Catering is desirable, but not essential.

What About My Future?

The Advanced Diploma in Hospitality will give you the skills you need for either university or work, and is a step towards a career within a sector. It could lead to a university degree in subjects such as Events Management, Food and Consumer Studies or Business. Alternatively it could help you begin a career in the hospitality industry or even take a first step in starting your own business. This could be anything from running a restaurant or cafe in a holiday resort to becoming a manager of an events company or a hotel.

How Do I Find Out More?

To find more out about the Advanced Diploma in Hospitality, speak to your teacher or careers adviser. You can also find more information about Diplomas on these websites:

The Advanced Diploma in Environment and Land-Based Studies

The Environmental and land-based sector offers a wide variety of employment opportunities. Occupations include; environmental conservation, water and waste management, food production, leisure and tourism, land management, landscape architecture, forestry and animal, health and welfare.

The industry generates employs over 720,000 people in England alone and generates considerable wealth in the UK. Employment opportunities in this sector are increasing year on year in both the number and diversity of roles.

What Will I Learn?

The Advanced Diploma in Environment and Land-Based Studies will give you first-hand experience of the opportunities, occupations and career paths offered by the sector. You will learn through practical activities both in and out of college; as the learning will be largely hands on and will include a range of outdoor tasks and field work. You will be studying how businesses within the sector can improve their sustainability, as well as productive and working environments and how to manage plants and animals in the wild.

What Else Will I Study?

You will further develop your skills by taking the BTEC Applied Science course and completing a project within the field. BTEC Applied Science is a vocational qualification assessed on coursework assignments. You will be specialising in laboratory work for technicians and the theory behind environmental science.

Will I Do Work Experience?

The Advance Diploma in Environment and Land-Based Studies will give you the opportunity to complete a 10 day work placement within the sector. The placement gives you the chance to experience work in areas as diverse as Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Melbicks Garden Centre and Beckett's Farm.

Where Will I Study?

The CTC Kingshurst Academy 4 days per week
Solihull College 1 day per week

What Are The Entry Requirements?

Students should have achieved:

A minimum of 5 GCSE passes (or equivalent) at Grade C and above including English and Maths
A Level 2 qualification in Science is also required for example: Double Award GCSE Science, OCR National Certificate or a BTEC First in a science related subject.

What About My Future?

The Advanced Diploma in Environmental Land-Based Studies will give you the skills you need to either go to university or enter the world of work. It could lead you to a university degree in subjects like Environmental Science or Horticulture. Alternatively it could help you begin a career in the sector or even take a first step in starting up your own business. This could be anything from a florist to a small holding.

How Do I Find Out More?

To find more out about the Advanced Diploma in Environment and Land-Based Studies, speak to your teacher or careers adviser. You can also find more information about Diplomas on these websites:

How Do I Apply?

You can either visit us and collect and application pack, or alternatively you download and print a copy of our application form from this link*

If you have any questions or comments about any aspect of Post 16 at Kingshurst please feel free to conact Medina Griffiths (Post 16 Recruitment Advisor) through the main College switchboard

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