Year 11 students visit at least one sixth form, one FE college, and one apprenticeship provider. They use a structured comparison framework, ask prepared questions, and capture evidence — fulfilling Gatsby BM7 (FE/HE encounters).
Learning outcomes
- I can compare three providers across course offer, environment and entry routes
- I can ask three prepared questions of admissions staff
- I can update my decision compass based on what I saw
Success criteria
- Three provider comparison cards completed
- Decision compass updated post-visits
1
Pre-visit prep
task · 30 min
Three questions per provider, prepared in advance. Comparison framework explained.
2
The visits
task · 240 min
Three structured visits. Comparison sheet filled in for each: courses, environment, entry, gut feel.
Builds: Listening
3
Compass update
reflection · 30 min
Re-open your decision compass. What's changed? Which provider is now lead candidate?
📓 Chapter timeline: Save your three provider comparisons to Chapter as your post-16 evidence.
🎮
Chapter Student Game
+80 XP
Action: Add three post-16 providers to your Chapter shortlist
Save provider comparison notes to Chapter. These will inform your final post-16 application.
Skills: Listening, Speaking
Plenary discussion
Pair-share for 2 minutes: one thing you'll take from this lesson into next week.
Homework / follow-up
Negotiate visit days for whole cohort. Visits have to fit students' schedules — couple with parent evenings.