Pathways After Year 9Academic, vocational, technical - the full menu

Why this matters

Year 9s overwhelmingly think 'A-levels then uni' is the default. This module shows the full menu: A-levels, T-levels, BTECs, apprenticeships, traineeships, foundation courses. They see which professionals took which path, and that 'university' is one route of many.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson

I can describe at least four post-16 pathways

I can give one real example of someone who took each pathway

I can identify which pathway feels closest to me right now

ActivityActivity 1: Pathway menu

On your own20 min

5 pathway cards (A-levels, T-levels, BTECs, apprenticeships, gap year). Each with 1 example person, time/cost, opens/closes options.

ActivityActivity 2: Match the human

In groups25 min

10 real career bios on slips. Students guess which pathway each took. Reveal - surprises drive discussion.

ActivityActivity 3: Closest fit

On your own15 min

Each student picks the pathway closest to them now. Sentence on why. No commitment - just current best guess.

Success criteria

How we'll know it worked

Pathways comparison sheet completed

First-pick pathway identified with reason

Chapter Student Game

Action

Add your provisional post-16 pathway to your Chapter goals

Skills: Adapting, Planning

Pick the post-16 pathway that feels closest to you right now. Add it to Chapter as a provisional goal.

What's next

Use real local case studies. Avoid framing 'one is better' - frame as 'fit'.