Assembly resources

Where Next? Post-16 Options and Apprenticeships

A free Year 10 and Year 11 post-16 options assembly covering A levels, T Levels, vocational routes, apprenticeships and work with training, with editable slides and a full script.

Year group: Years 10 and 11 Best delivered: Before open events, applications or post-16 guidance meetings Duration: About 16 minutes Tone: Reassuring, practical and aspirational What you need - The editable 16-slide PowerPoint assembly. - The full speaker script and presenter guidance PDF. - The same delivery notes are embedded inside the PowerPoint for Presenter View. - Your local sixth-form, college and apprenticeship information. - Open-event dates, application windows and the name of your careers adviser. - Three real staff career routes for the editable “Not a straight line” slide.

This assembly is written for schools in England because the participation rules and qualification routes are England-specific.

Replace every bracketed placeholder and check current local provision before delivery.

Script notes Start with the next step, not a life plan (Slides 1-3, about 2 minutes) Reassure pupils that they do not need their whole future mapped out.

They need to understand the next step and the routes available after Year 11.

Explain the requirement in England to remain in education or training until 18 and introduce the three broad ways to do that.

Show the whole map (Slides 4-8, about 5 minutes) The route map introduces A levels, T Levels, vocational courses and V Levels, apprenticeships, and work or volunteering alongside part-time training.

Each route is presented as a valid pathway into further study, higher technical qualifications, university, degree apprenticeships or work.

Avoid presenting A levels as the default.

Use the local examples pupils can actually access, and check what providers will offer in the year this cohort starts.

Correct the myths (Slides 9-11, about 3 minutes) Use the four click-reveal statements to challenge common misconceptions about apprenticeships, T Levels and choosing a career.

The English and maths message should stay encouraging: every mark now can open more options later.

The future-of-work slide is about adaptability, not anxiety.

Emphasise that technical knowledge matters alongside creative thinking, resilience, curiosity and learning how to learn.

Help pupils choose (Slides 12-13, about 2 minutes) Ask three questions: What do I enjoy?

How do I learn best?

Where could it lead?

Then use three real staff examples to show that careers rarely follow a perfectly straight line.