Barnsley College offers Vocational, T Level, A Level and apprenticeship study programmes. Our Information Advisors work closely with schools to provide information, advice and guidance around the different pathways on offer to help support young people with their options after Year 11.
We offer a comprehensive package of activities that you can book at no charge to your school. These events can help you to meet the Gatsby benchmarks and ensure your staff are also informed of the provision available to students in Further Education. To find out more about one of the activities, click the heading below.
You can request more information and book an activity by contacting your school liaison link or emailing info@barnsley.ac.uk. If you have an idea for an activity that isn’t mentioned below, please get in touch as we are always keen to support.
Location: Your School
Our College presentations can be offered to large audiences – such as full year group assemblies – or individual classes, and can be tailored to meet time constraints and particular focusses. A full-length presentation of all of the options available after Year 11 will take between 10-15 minutes and will include the following topics:
A general introduction to Barnsley College and what Further Education means
Vocational and T Level pathways, entry requirements and subjects available
A Level subjects, entry requirements and type of study
Apprenticeships overview
Similarities and differences between pathways
Student life and outside of the classroom
How to apply
Location: Your School
These brief presentations are aimed to introducing pupils to college life and Further Education progression routes. They look at the types of subjects available but do not go into detail about the different pathways, instead exploring how there are different options depending on the learner’s ambitions and preferred way of learning. These can be delivered to whole year groups of individual classes.
Location: Barnsley College
We can work with you to create a bespoke taster day for a group of your learners. A Vocational subject taster will allow learners to sample two different subjects, tour one of our campuses and take part in a careers-based activity. You can request specific subjects for students to sample, based on department availability.
These can be tailored to your timings and needs. A typical timetable is below:
9.30 – 10.00: Arrival and college presentation
10.00 – 11.00: Practical Taster 1
11.00 – 12.00: Tour of Old Mill Lane campus
12.00 – 12.30: Lunch
12.30 – 13.30: Practical Taster 2
13.30 – 14.15: Activity
14.15: Depart
We can also offer a bespoke A-Level taster day at Barnsley Sixth Form College. Students will sample a carousel of three or four different A-Level subjects and speak to our support teams. A typical timetable is below:
9.30 – 10.00: Arrival and welcome presentation
10.00 – 10.45: Subject Taster 1
10.45 – 11.00: Break
11.00 – 11.45: Subject Taster 2
11.45 – 12.30: Lunch and Student Services Workshops
12.30 – 13.15: Subject Taster 3
13.15 – 14.00: Subject Taster 4
14.15: Depart
Location: College
We can accommodate individual or group tours to look around our facilities and speak with tutors. Ideal for learners who cannot attend our open days – or those who would benefit from the opportunity to look around at a quieter time, – we can host tours throughout the year to meet your needs. For individual tours parents and carers are also welcome to attend.
Location: Your School
If you are hosting a careers fair or options evening in your school, our advisors can attend to speak with your students about their options. For local schools we can attend with college departments (subject to availability) who can give specific advice and guidance around their courses.
Location: Your School or College
Our advisors can visit your school to offer drop-in sessions to fit around your times – this could be lunchtimes, during lessons or after school. Students can have an in-depth discussion about their choices and given guidance around Further Education routes.
Alternatively, our Information Unit in the Old Mill Lane campus is open every week day – including the holidays – for students to pop in to speak to us in their own time for friendly, supportive advice.
Location: Your School
We accept online applications through our website, and local authority portals, such as Sheffield Progress. We can support application sessions you are holding in school by attending to discuss options with learners and to support them in completing the form. Our applications open in late-October, and while we recommend students apply before the end of March, we will accept applications throughout the year.
Location: Your School or College
We can provide one-to-one support for more vulnerable individuals or learners who need extra guidance. This can include a meeting in school first, a tour in college, and meeting during the application and interview process. This approach has previously helped severely anxious students to attend interviews and start college with more confidence.
Location: Your School
College staff are available to attend your school on GCSE results day to support pupils receiving their results, offering reassurance and advice on applications and enrolment.
Location: Your School
Our team can support your school with the delivery of mock interviews in preparation for work experience, employment or other post-16 options. These can be face-to-face or delivered online.
Location: Your School
These sessions are aimed at preparing pupils interested in applying for an apprenticeship. They cover areas such as the importance of finding an employer, useful websites, how to look for an employer, preparing CVs and cover letters, and interview techniques. While these can be delivered at any point through the year, they are perfect for National Apprenticeship Week.
Location: Your School or College
The team offers practical workshops in identified subject areas to help address gender-based stereotypes. These include Boys into Health and Education, Boys in Hairdressing and Girls into Construction and Engineering.
Location: Your School or College
The College can support schools with specific projects they are running, and these can be very bespoke around your needs. Previous projects have included work with our Enterprise department, Catering and Hospitality experiences, Esports tournaments and Media Workshop days. These can help inspire your students, raise aspirations and provide opportunities additional to those in the classroom.
